Therapeutic Massage
Therapeutic massage involves the manipulation of the soft
tissues of the body to reduce pain, discomfort, muscle spasms, and
stress with the goal of promoting health and wellness.
The benefits of massage
therapy
Studies have shown that therapeutic massage may help improve
functions of the circulatory, lymphatic, skeletal, and nervous
systems. It may help strained muscles and sprained ligaments heal
faster and reduce the formation of scar tissue. It can even help
you in areas you might not expect, such as promoting deep
breathing, improving posture, releasing metabolic toxins, and
enhancing the health of your skin.
Massage therapy has been shown to improve the functioning of the
circulatory, lymphatic, muscular, skeletal, and nervous systems. It
may also improve the rate at which the body recovers from injury or
illness.
Massage therapy may provide the following
benefits:
•
Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
•
Reduces muscle spasms
•
Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
•
Promotes deeper and easier breathing
•
Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph
fluids
•
Helps manage blood pressure
•
Helps relieve tension-related headaches and the effects of eye
strain
•
Enhances the health and nourishment of the skin
•
Improves posture
•
Strengthens the immune system
•
Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
•
Reduces anxiety
•
Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond
appropriately
And, of course, therapeutic massage is relaxing.
Massage therapy may not be recommended for people
with:
•
Inflammation of the veins (phlebitis)
•
Infectious diseases
•
Certain forms of cancer
• Some
skin conditions
• Some
cardiac problems
•
Diabetes
Call us if you have any questions, and we can communicate
directly with your primary care physician to see if therapeutic
massage is right for you.
What to expect at your therapeutic massage
visit
Your first appointment will begin with your massage therapist
asking about your health and medical history and answering any
questions you may have. Let your therapist know about any area that
needs extra attention and/or any area that you want left alone so
that he or she can tailor the massage to your specific needs. Your
massage will take place in a warm, comfortable room with soft music
playing. The therapist will leave the room while you disrobe to
your level of comfort. You will always be covered with a sheet or
blanket during your massage. Your body is only undraped to work on
the area involved at the time. A light lotion, cream, or oil will
be used. You may choose to close your eyes and relax, or you may
prefer to talk to the massage therapist during your massage. Either
way is perfectly acceptable. When the session concludes, your
massage therapist will leave the room to allow you a moment to
relax and re-dress.
You can expect a peaceful, relaxing experience and a sense of
calm following a massage. Sometimes the pain is decreased
immediately following the massage but can decrease even more the
next day. Sometimes you might experience muscle aches for up to two
days depending on the depth of the massage performed on the muscles
and tissues.
Drink plenty of water before and after your massage therapy
session. Massage releases metabolic toxins, and increasing your
water intake will assist your body in removing those toxins.
If you are a member, your massage therapist will provide
documentation to your primary care practitioner through your Kaiser
Permanente electronic medical record. This allows all your health
care providers to work together to help in your healing
process.
How to schedule an appointment
To make an appointment, please call the Kaiser Permanente Center
for Complementary Medicine nearest you.
Lakewood 303-239-7224
Midtown 303-764-8500
Smoky Hill 303-699-3670
Westminster 303-457-6260
Our hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. through 5:30 p.m.
Our Lakewood, Midtown, and Westminster Medical Offices are also
open Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
