Health care has included massage therapy for thousands of years. Human structure and conditions, like musculoskeletal injuries, pregnancies, stress, and disease, are affected by muscle tone and conditioning.

Studies have indicated that consistently applied force on injured muscles squeezes inflammation-causing cells from the muscles. The results of the controlled circumstances in the studies showed muscle regeneration and reduced tissue scarring were significant.

There are many techniques for massage therapy. When a medical professional provides a diagnosis for their patient, the therapist can use the appropriate massage technique to support the recommended rehabilitation path.

Examples of conditions could be Runner’s Knee, torn rotator cuffs, whiplash, sciatica, sports injuries, automobile accident injuries, or work-related injuries.

Another factor in determining the type of massage therapy applied would be a patient’s medical conditions. Knowing if a patient has heart or blood pressure issues, anxiety, depression, or previous injuries is all pertinent information for treatment.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage can help release muscle knots. It uses a combination of kneading, flowing strokes in the direction of the heart, passive joint movement, and circular motions.

Swedish massage can be a supportive treatment for low back, neck, and shoulder injuries. Studies indicate the relief may be temporary but effective when combined with exercise.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than Swedish massage. The massage therapist will use deep finger pressure to relieve tension in the connective tissue and the deepest layers of muscle.

Research on Deep Tissue massage suggests the technique may help with recovery by improving circulation to reduce swelling, reduce the buildup of fluid around the injury, improve the range of motion and reduce pain and stiffness in the affected joints.

Sports Massage

Massage therapists apply sports massage to the entire body or injured area. The therapist may use different pressures or strokes depending on the injury and limb stretching techniques.

Limb stretching during sports massage can be beneficial to increase flexibility and range of motion of the joints. Sports massage can lower an athlete’s stress levels, increase blood flow and relieve muscle tension. All these factors lead to improved injury rehabilitation.

Reflexology and Shiatsu Massage

Massage therapists use Reflexology and Shiatsu to relax or restore energy levels. The therapist will apply firm pressure on different pressure points on the hands, feet, and ears in Reflexology, and Shiatsu works the whole body.

These two forms of massage can improve a person’s recovery from injury by affecting their internal energy system. There is limited research, but studies have found that shiatsu massage can complement standard injury treatment for low back pain.

Lymphatic Drainage Massage

Lymphatic Drainage Massage is a gentle massage to move lymphatic fluids through the body.  Because it removes toxins and improves circulation, lymphatic drainage massage can be helpful in the healing process of many conditions.

Rehabilitation specialists often use Ice, compression, and elevation, which are effective therapies, but manual lymphatic drainage promotes more effective edema reduction after an injury.

Massage therapy has its place in the world of injury rehabilitation. Assembling an appropriate team of health and wellness providers can and will provide the best possible treatments for each individual, and remaining open to the possibilities can be life-altering for them.

Everett, Washington Massage Therapy for Injury Rehab

Our clinic specializes in work and auto injury rehab. Our goal is to get you back to feeling normal again! If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call 425-347-8614.

If you’ve suffered from a fall at work, for example, the result may be a sprain, dislocated shoulder, broken bones, head injury, hip fracture, or spinal injury. Obviously, no two injuries are the same, and the same goes with their respective treatment plans. One thing for sure is that you’ll want to be able to move and work as freely as you did before your injury.

You’ve heard about “work conditioning” but what exactly is it? Work conditioning (sometimes referred to as “work hardening”) is a specific type of injury rehabilitation phase that helps you get ready to return to work. Of course, with physical therapy in general, the goal is to improve your mobility, strength, endurance and range of motion (as well as to prevent re-injury). During the work conditioning part of rehab, the therapist will create customized exercises for you that mimic your job duties so your body can become reaccustomed to those specific functions (so you safely transition back to work and perform your job as you did before). Consider it like you’re in a workplace simulation for your specific job.

Who can benefit from work conditioning?

• Police
• Firefighters
• Health care professionals
• Truck drivers
• Mechanics
• Construction workers

The amount of sessions and how long those session will be, will be determined by your physical therapist. First thing’s first, however—if you’ve suffered a work injury, seek immediate medical help! When your doctor thinks you’re ready for physical rehabilitation, please come see us! Everett Physical Therapy at 927 18^th St. SW Suite B in Everett.