Medical Massage: What is it and how do you advance your career by working with the medical profession?
Physicians are now making changes in the treatment of their patients with the use of Medical Massage Therapy. Keep reading to learn how you can expand your practice to include this new opportunity to work directly with physicians and in medical settings.
What is Medical Massage? Medical Massage started gaining popularity around 1997 when the term was used to distinguish between “massage for relaxation” and massage designed to bring about a specific outcome for a specific symptom. Before that time massage was mainly thought of as a tool for relaxation.
Who determines what is Medical Massage? The AMMA (American Medical Masssage Association) was formed and has created standards and programs to move Massage Therapy into mainstream America. AMMA has a board of adisors consisting of medical doctors, chiropractors, osteopathic physicians and massage therapists to standardize massage as a medical treatment and to foster its acceptance in the medical community. Medical Massage is becoming part of what is becoming known as the “Integrative Health Care Movement” wherein working with the whole body rather than just symptoms.
How do I become a Medical Massage Therapist? You take classes in Massage Therapy School and then often take advanced training in special modalities that are specifically designed to enhance your skills in the areas recognized to be beneficial in the medical profession. Trigger Point Therapy, Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage along with intensive study of anatomy, physiology and pathology are the first steps to becoming a Medical Massage Therapist
What are some of the conditions that may benefit from Medical Massage? The list is expanding yearly as new treatments and methods are developed. The following list provides a few of the many health conditions now commonly treated as Medical Massage.
• Fibromyalgia
• Plantar Fascitis
• TMJ
• Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
• Pain associated with restricted fascia
• Pain associated with postural imbalances
• Sciatica
• Injuries from automobile accidents or sports injuries
Does insurance cover Medical Massage? Currently there are very few states that will allow Massage Therapists to bill for their services without utilizing a medical facility as the “contracted provider”. However the new Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 is opening the door for Medical Massage to be recognized as a stand- alone treatment.
How do I develop a Medical Massage practice?
1. Attend a Massage Therapy school that introduces you to various specialties and modalities and then choose those modalities that interest you and receive further training.to specialize in that area and become an expert.
2. Contact local physicians and choose several that you would like to collaborate with and those who seem open and knowledgeable about Medical Massage. If their knowledge of what you can do is limited—teach them, provide them with rationale and benefit for their patients, offer to work with them in their offices on a reduced fee basis for a short period of time to allow them to see the benefit to their client.
3. Support the physician’s current allopathic medicine plan for his client while adding and documenting patient progress.
4. Educate yourself about the physician’s practice and his/her practice honoring the physician and the work he courrently does.
Are there any things I can do to get “my foot in door” when contacting physicians?
• Tale the classes In Massage Therapy School that will familiarize you with medical terminology.
• Refer your own clients to physicians you have met with and want to work with (and they want to work with you).
• After thoroughly researching a physician’s practice (most physicians are available on the Internet web site) contact the physician and let him know who you are and what you do.
• Talk to the physician BRIEFLY about what you believe you can add to his practice.
• Contact the physician’s office by sending a thank you note and again outlining specific benefits to his/her patients.
• Be patient. It takes time and persistence to develop a credible Medical Massage practice. In the meantime continue to refine your skills through taking advanced learning as well as subscribing to professional literature and web sites that keep you updated on new trends.
This is the perfect time to gain the skills and to begin to explore the specialities while you are in Massage Therapy school thus providing you with a rewarding and profitable career. Contact us today—we offer introductions to many speciiatties in our Massage Therapy Program as well as Continue Education classes to enhance your skills. Call us 801-292-8515 today for a free consultation about beginning your career as a massage therapist.
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