What is medical massage?

According to the American Medical Massage Association (AMMA), medical massage is:

"A system of manually applied techniques designed to reduce pain, establish normal tissue tension, create a positive tissue environment and to normalize the movement of the musculoskeletal system. Medical massage is a scientifically based method of manual therapy that seeks a clear understanding of the scientific principles of physiology that affect connective and soft tissue healing and treatment."

ADVANCED MUSCLE CARE specializes in applying these manual therapy techniques under the prescription and supervision from either a medical doctor, osteopathic doctor, physical therapist and/or a chiropractic doctor. 

What is the difference between "medical massage" and "therapeutic massage"?

Therapeutic Massage is usually performed by massage therapists working in a SPA-type setting and is described as a general, feel-good massage. Regular massage therapists while competent and well trained in relaxation-based massage, generally lack both the knowledge and experience to treat specific musculoskeletal disorders. Most initial massage education programs do NOT include the classes in health and medical sciences needed to gain expertise in these areas.

Medical Massage Therapists at ADVANCED MUSCLE CARE have been trained to adhere to the following clinical criteria:

• Medical Massage is not a general treatment. Rather, Medical Massage Therapy is applied as a specific manual therapy to the areas relating to the diagnoses provided by the primary care physician. 

• Medical Massage therapy is delivered to an anatomical region of the patient's body based upon soft tissue and joint exam findings and various other assessment procedures.

• Medical Massage treatment plans involve several progressive steps or stages of manual therapy treatment whose goal is to correct abnormal conditions affecting the muscle-skeletal system while reducing or eliminating pain.

• Medical Massage adopts the medical terminology, medical techniques and medical protocols used by the traditional allopathic, medical systems of health care.

Medical Massage Therapists at the Advanced Muscle Care have been trained in the following clinical criteria:

• Medical Massage Therapy with Neuromuscular Approach is used as a specific manual therapy to the areas relating to the diagnoses provided by the primary care physician.

• Medical Massage therapy with Neuromuscular or Myofascial Approaches is applied to an region of the patient's body based on musculoskeletal distortion and soft tissue pathology.

• Medical Massage treatments involve stages of manual therapy treatment whose goal is to correct imbalance in the muscle-skeletal system while reducing or eliminating pain.

• Medical Massage applies the medical terminology, techniques and protocols used by the traditional allopathic, medical systems of health care.

Manual Therapy,Physical  Therapy, or  Continued Care by a General Practitioner for Patients with Neck Pain: A Randomized, Controlled Trial