What is TMT?
Medical therapeutic massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissue (muscles, tendons, and ligaments) to enhance a patient’s health, wellness, and overall comfort. It dates back thousands of years to ancient Chinese culture and has remained at the forefront of non-invasive tissue treatment since its creation. TMT is not a spa massage.
There are dozens of variations of massage therapy, also often called modalities. Patients may begin massage for treatment for a number of different reasons, some of which include:
- Reduce pain
- Reduce stress/anxiety
- Rehabilitate injury
- Relax muscles
- Work towards better overall health
What are the Different Types of Medical Therapeutic Massage Therapies?
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage uses long gliding motions to relax muscles throughout the entire body. It focuses on applying pressure to deeper layers under the skin than a standard massage to treat pain in the muscles, tendons, ligaments and fascia.
This modality is known to reduce stress hormone levels and heart rate, while boosting mood and relaxation by triggering the release of oxytocin and serotonin.
Sports Massage Therapy
Sports massage therapy encompasses athletes of all levels and sports. It can be used as a means to enhance pre-event preparation and reduce recovery time for maximum performance during training or after an event.
Sports massage therapy is primarily used for athletes, and focuses on muscle areas that can commonly become aggravated after time.
Swedish Massage Therapy
The Swedish massage utilizes the method of relaxing the entire body by rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. But Swedish massage therapy goes beyond relaxation.
Swedish massage is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point massage therapy is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain (or trigger point) through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage, the recipient actively participates through deep breathing and identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.
This form of massage therapy can often greatly decrease pain after just a single treatment, although sometimes more are necessary. The primary benefit is to release constricted areas in the muscles to alleviate pain.
How Can I Determine Which Modality Best Suits My Medical Therapeutic Massage Needs?
A good starting point in deciding which type of medical therapeutic massage therapy you would like to pursue is determining where your pain might stem from and what initially caused that pain. For instance, sports massage therapy could be the right option if someone hyperextended an ankle while jogging.
While starting by figuring out the source of your pain is a great start in seeking the proper massage therapy, it is crucial to see a specialist to investigate further and make an educated assessment on what therapy modality will be best for treating your pain.
At the Spinal Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in Dumont, our certified massage therapists incorporate a vast array of massage therapy techniques to give our patients individualized care based on their needs. We understand that when it comes to massage therapy, each patient is different in what type of treatment they need and how their treatment is applied. Knowing that there are so many variables, we take our time to ensure that we are treating each patient efficiently and effectively.
The benefits of choosing our massage therapy are endless. Patients feel relaxed, at ease and experience pain relief for some time following treatment.
Book your massage therapy appointment now!
