How to Incorporate Massage Therapy into Your Rehabilitation Plan

Healing from injury or managing chronic pain can be a long journey. Rehabilitation, like physical therapy, is important, but did you know massage therapy can help, too? Learn the benefits of incorporating massage into your rehab plan here.

A comprehensive rehabilitation plan is essential when recovering from an injury or managing a chronic condition. Rest, physical therapy, and exercise all play important roles in healing — but incorporating complementary therapies can provide even more benefits.

One such therapy is massage. Many people think of massage as a luxury that feels good, but offers no lasting benefits. The truth is that it can promote healing, relieve pain, and improve your overall well-being.

Renee Falconio, LMT, and our team at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine specialize in massage for rehabilitation. In this blog, we’re exploring how to incorporate massage therapy into your rehabilitation plan for enhanced healing.

Choose an experienced sports massage therapist

If you’re interested in trying massage therapy for healing, working with an experienced massage therapist is essential.

Renee and our team take a musculoskeletal approach, and we have years of experience in various massage techniques. We specialize in treating chronic pain and acute injury through massage as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.

Understanding the types of massage

Our massage therapists use different techniques to address specific rehabilitation needs, including sports massage, deep tissue massage, and myofascial release.

Sports massage generally incorporates techniques to support recovery, prevent injury, and enhance athletic performance. Deep tissue massage focuses on releasing tension and restoring mobility in deep muscle layers, and myofascial release targets fascia, or scar tissue, to alleviate restrictions and enhance flexibility.

Start with a comprehensive assessment

We start with a physical assessment before incorporating massage therapy into your rehabilitation plan. We evaluate your condition, review your symptoms, and discuss your goals to determine the best type of massage therapy for your needs.

We’ve helped patients dealing with everything from chronic back and neck pain to acute sports injuries. So if you’re already participating in rehab, massage could help you achieve more complete healing.

Communicate your goals and concerns

During your consultation, be sure to discuss your symptoms and questions with our massage team. Sharing any pain or specific areas of concern you have allows your therapist to tailor their massage techniques to address your individual needs effectively.

Whether you’d benefit from gentle relaxation techniques or targeted deep tissue massage, we work with you to ensure your therapy aligns with your rehabilitation goals.

Ask about integrating massage therapy with other treatments

In rehabilitation, massage therapy works best when combined with other treatments. Our therapists collaborate with the rest of your health care team to ensure that massage therapy complements your existing treatment modalities.

For example, we may recommend scheduling massage therapy after a physical therapy session to enhance the benefits of both therapies. This coordinated approach maximizes the effectiveness of your overall rehabilitation plan.

Stick to your treatment schedule

Consistency is key in rehabilitation. We develop a customized massage treatment schedule for you, and attending all your sessions can provide cumulative benefits and contribute to long-term healing and pain relief.

Collaborate with your therapist to establish a frequency and duration of sessions that align with your needs and progress. Periodically evaluate the impact of massage therapy on your rehabilitation plan, discussing any changes or adjustments that may be necessary.

Massage therapy could be a valuable addition to your rehabilitation plan, supporting your journey toward recovery and enhanced well-being. Find out how to start incorporating massage into your treatment plan with an appointment at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine.

Call our offices in Neptune or Robbinsville, New Jersey, or request an appointment online now.