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Orthopedic vs. Medical Massage:
What’s the Difference?
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Both orthopedic massage and medical massage are effective therapies for relieving pain, improving mobility, and supporting recovery. While they share similarities, each offers a unique, specialized approach to address your specific needs. Here’s how they compare:​
​Orthopedic Massage
Orthopedic massage is designed to restore balance to your muscles, tendons, and joints. It’s ideal for managing pain, enhancing flexibility, and recovering from injuries. Using targeted techniques such as deep tissue massage, myofascial release, stretching, and trigger point therapy, this approach addresses structural imbalances and soft-tissue dysfunction.
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When Orthopedic Massage Can Help:
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Performance Injuries: Sprains, strains, or muscle tears from returning to the gym, weightlifting, sports, or other active lifestyle activities.
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Strain-Related Discomfort: Pain or stiffness from activities like typing, long drives, moving homes, or business trips involving uncomfortable flights and unfamiliar beds.
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Limited Mobility: Stiffness or reduced range of motion in joints due to overuse or injury.
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Postural Imbalances: Shoulder tension, lower back pain, or neck discomfort caused by prolonged sitting or poor posture
​Medical Massage
Medical massage is tailored to address specific medical conditions and is often part of a treatment plan prescribed by a healthcare provider. This approach focuses on pain management and healing for chronic conditions or post-surgical recovery, using techniques like neuromuscular therapy, orthopedic massage, cold/hot therapies and gentle stretching.
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When Medical Massage Is Best:
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Chronic Pain Conditions: Fibromyalgia, tension-type headaches, piriformis syndrome, or carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Chronic Muscle Strains: Ongoing pain in areas like the shoulders or back from previously injured or overused muscles that haven’t healed fully.
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Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI): Chronic pain caused by overuse of muscle groups, often in the forearms, shoulders, or neck.
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Post-Surgical Recovery: Supportive care after procedures such as joint replacements or spinal surgeries.
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Injury Rehabilitation: Enhancing the healing process for musculoskeletal injuries, including ankle sprains, ACL tears, and shin splints.
Which Should You Choose?
If you're dealing with musculoskeletal issues such as tension, limited mobility, or recovering from a physical injury, orthopedic massage is likely the right fit. These techniques are integrated into our Integrative Deep Tissue sessions for comprehensive care.
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If your needs are tied to chronic conditions or a medical diagnosis, medical massage may provide the specialized approach you require.
Still Unsure?
Take the first step towards relief and book an Integrative Deep Tissue session. From there, we’ll assess your needs to determine whether a more structured treatment plan under Medical Massage is necessary.