BALANCE IN MOTION BODYWORK
Santa Barbara Massage & Pain Therapy
Orthopedic Massage
What is Orthopedic Massage?
Orthopedic massage treats soft tissue injuries. Orthopedic therapists can also massage people after surgery to prevent adhesions and the formation of scar tissue. You should get your doctor's approval before getting this type of massage after surgery.
This type of bodywork is used to treat specific musculoskeletal problems. I will take time to assess your situation first and then assess your injury by moving you through ranges of motion.
How does Orthopedic Massage work?
The work I perform on you on the table will be quite specific to address your pain. Orthopedic massage doesn't usually involve the frills and pampering that can be found in other types of massage therapy. It tends to be rather straightforward and direct in its approach.
Where Orthopedic Massage Can Help
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plantar fascitis
Orthopedic Massage (including the deep tissue, myofascial release, and cross fiber friction modalities), is a great way to release adhesions. To massage the incision area (medium incisions: 1 inch to 3 inches), it is good to wait for approximately 6 weeks. If the scar has fully formed, I will try light pressure around the site. There should be strong communication between you and me. I will stop at any discomfort, and slowly increase the depth if it is comfortable.
There is always increased swelling, reduced flexibility and stiffness following surgery. The incision site and the underlying adhesions to muscle tissue and fascia, because of tension, displacement, and cutting/suturing, create scar tissue. It is vital that that incision site and joints be massaged after seven days of healing. Of course, pressure and intensity of massage needs to be light at first and then increased with time, helping to reduce swelling, redness, and pain.
It is VERY IMPORTANT for post-surgery patients to seek massage therapy in order for them not to suffer needlessly in pain for months and years because of untreated contractures, muscle adhesions, guarding muscles and scar tissues and its resulting consequences of reduced range of motion. Orthopedic massage has been scientifically proven to assist in solving these type of post-surgery issues. Orthopedic Massage therapy helps post-surgery patients in reducing their post-surgery trauma, pain, and assists in improving the mobility and flexibility of tissue and joints. I have also found that P-DTR is especially helpful with Post-surgery clients, because it allows me to work on areas even if they are still painful and tender.
In addition to Orthopedic Massage I also often perform Lymphatic Drainage to aid in Post-surgical recovery. It is a gentle rhythmical massage that acts on both the lymphatic and nervous systems. It has been shown to increase lymph flow in the lymphatic channels by up to ten times normal levels – channeling the fluid into an effective drainage route. Due to Lymphatic Drainage being such a gentle technique, treatment sessions can safely begin within the first 24 hours following an injury. Early treatment increases the likelihood of reduced swelling, bruising and pain, and therefore may improve the rate of healing.