new york orthopedic massage

what is orthopedic massage? a medical massage discipline

Orthopedic Massage (OM) describes a comprehensive system, rather than a single technique, that involves therapeutic assessment, manipulation and movement of soft tissues to reduce or eliminate pain and dysfunction. OM focuses on restoring structural balance throughout the body for both prevention and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal dysfunctions.

why orthopedic massage?

OM provides a unique multidisciplinary approach incorporating you as an active participant in your recovery. You and the therapist work together to identify and eliminate the symptoms and underlying imbalances while managing pain with massage and home-based exercises. OM looks beyond the massage session to the origin of the pain either from trauma-induced injuries or postural imbalances that exacerbate the pain through daily activities.

Common orthopedic conditions can stem from sports injuries, postural imbalances due to poor work ergonomics, chronic pain and scar tissue from surgery or traumatic injury. Your orthopedic massage therapist will evaluate and treat the soft tissue dysfunctions, pain and injuries with a series of specialized techniques.

is orthopedic massage for me?

Almost everyone can benefit from orthopedic massage. Do you often find yourself rolling and kneading away at some annoying spot that just won’t go away? Do you have a “trick” knee, back, or neck that “goes out once and a while” ? Most of us unnecessarily live with discomfort or pain related to repetitive work habits such as forward head computer posture, trauma from physically demanding jobs, or those calling for long periods of standing. OM is designed to resolve old chronic injuries diagnosed or otherwise. OM can also be used to identify and correct conditions such as:

• sciatica
• scoliosis
• rib pain
• forward head postures
• anterior scalene syndrome
• Dowager’s Humps
• back spasms/ pain
• SI joint dysfunction
• cervical pain
• rotator cuff injuries
• frozen shoulder
• thoracic outlet syndrome

• carpal tunnel syndrome
• plantar fascitis
• anterior compartment syndrome
• shin splints
• iliotibial band friction (ITB) syndrome
• chondromalacia patella.
• whiplash injuries
• compressed disks
• bursitis
• tendonitis/tendinosis
• scar tissue issues

what is involved in an orthopedic massage session?

This specialized and customized system of treatment focuses specifically on a physician- diagnosed condition, chronic pain or trauma-induced injuries. Each session uses the techniques listed below that will allow you to obtain immediate and long-lasting results in even the most challenging and complicated conditions.

The techniques:

• functional assessment

• myofascial release

• neuromuscular therapy and re-education

• scar tissue mobilization techniques

• stretching and strengthening

• specific client home care protocols