Massage Therapy
Hands-on care for muscles and other soft tissues—tailored to your needs and physical condition.
What Is Massage Therapy?
At Primus Physiotherapy, therapeutic massage is part of our commitment to helping people in pain get back to normal naturally.
Massage therapy encompasses many different techniques. In general, therapists press, rub, and otherwise manipulate the muscles and other soft tissues of the body. They most often use their hands and fingers, but may also use their forearms, elbows, or feet.
The type of massage provided usually depends on your needs and physical condition. In general, massage therapists work on muscle and other soft tissue to help you feel better.
Massage has a long history, with references appearing in ancient writings from China, Japan, India, and Egypt.
Massage Techniques & Approaches
Massage therapy includes a range of approaches that may be selected based on your goals and areas of concern.
Swedish Massage
Uses long strokes, kneading, deep circular movements, vibration, and tapping.
Sports Massage
Combines Swedish massage and deep-tissue techniques to release chronic muscle tension. It is adapted to the needs of athletes.
Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy
Focuses on trigger points—areas that are painful when pressed and may be associated with pain elsewhere in the body.
Aromatherapy Massage
Massage therapy is sometimes performed using essential oils as a form of aromatherapy.
What the Science Says
A lot of the scientific research on massage therapy is preliminary or conflicting, but much of the evidence points toward beneficial effects on pain and other symptoms associated with a number of different conditions. Much of the evidence suggests these effects are short term and that people need to keep getting massages for benefits to continue.
Massage for Pain
- A 2008 research review and a 2011 NCCIH-funded clinical trial concluded that massage may be useful for chronic low-back pain.
- Massage may help with chronic neck pain.
- Massage may help with pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee.
- For women in labour, studies suggest massage provided some pain relief and increased satisfaction with other forms of pain relief, though the evidence is not strong.
Other Areas Studied
A 2010 review concluded that massage therapy may help temporarily reduce pain, fatigue, and other symptoms associated with fibromyalgia, although the evidence is not definitive. Clinical trials on massage for headaches are preliminary and only somewhat promising.
More to Consider
Do not use massage therapy to replace conventional care or to postpone seeing a physical therapist or doctor about a medical problem. If you have a medical condition and are unsure whether massage is appropriate, discuss your concerns with your healthcare provider. Tell all of your health care providers about complementary and integrative health approaches you use so your care can be coordinated safely.
To learn more about our therapeutic massage services, contact Primus Physiotherapy at (780) 540-1234.