What Therapeutic Massage and Manual Therapy Does For Clients

Clients seek therapeutic massage or manual therapy for many reasons. Some of my clients want to relax and rejuvenate, others want relief from chronic joint pain, and some have had injuries that need treatment. These varying goals have influenced what services I offer as a massage therapist. I spend time on client education so people know what will work and why.

Massage clients living with chronic pain usually require sessions that treat the source of their issue, not just the symptoms. Often there is an underlying pattern of dysfunction due to muscle imbalances, adhesions, and postural change. In the 13 years I have been practicing in Petaluma, and surrounding counties, I have found that therapeutic massage or manual therapy is effective for conditions like chronic sciatica, degenerated hip, plantar fasciitis, and more.

If a client comes in with painful difficulty moving their neck, I offer them Hendrickson Method^® Manual Therapy. This treatment system is relaxing to receive and delivers therapeutic results like increased joint range of motion, function, and reduced pain. Sometimes clients want Hendrickson Method^® combined with therapeutic massage. Combining the two modalities works wonderfully because the session feels like a traditional massage with a “clinical spin”.

People seeking pain relief from injury need to be massaged carefully. Many factors can affect their soft tissue, including inflammation, medication, muscle guarding, and emotional stress. It is not appropriate for a massage therapist to offer deep tissue, sports massage, or warm stone to clients in this stage. Emphasis is on light therapeutic massage, effleurage strokes in the direction of the circulatory system, neuromuscular cues, and the use of ice or a topical analgesic. Once the injured client is past the acute phase deeper massage techniques can be offered.

Work experience in the resort spa, clinical, and private practice environments has taught me that each client is unique. Sometimes a client living with chronic pain needs to decompress with aromatherapy and foot massage prior to manual therapy, or a person seeking relaxation lets me know they have a condition like TMJ that is causing them discomfort. I look forward to seeing clients in my Petaluma private practice because I am presented with these scenarios. I get to be in the moment, strategize session time, and flow at a relaxed pace all at the same time.

Clients seek therapeutic massage or manual therapy for many reasons. Some of my clients want to relax and rejuvenate, others want relief from chronic joint pain, and some have had injuries that need treatment. These varying goals have influenced what services I offer as a massage therapist. I spend time on client education so people know what will work and why.

Massage clients living with chronic pain usually require sessions that treat the source of their issue, not just the symptoms. Often there is an underlying pattern of dysfunction due to muscle imbalances, adhesions, and postural change. In the 13 years I have been practicing in Petaluma, and surrounding counties, I have found that therapeutic massage or manual therapy is effective for conditions like chronic sciatica, degenerated hip, plantar fasciitis, and more.

If a client comes in with painful difficulty moving their neck, I offer them Hendrickson Method® Manual Therapy. This treatment system is relaxing to receive and delivers therapeutic results like increased joint range of motion, function, and reduced pain. Sometimes clients want Hendrickson Method® combined with therapeutic massage. Combining the two modalities works wonderfully because the session feels like a traditional massage with a “clinical spin”.

People seeking pain relief from injury need to be massaged carefully. Many factors can affect their soft tissue, including inflammation, medication, muscle guarding, and emotional stress. It is not appropriate for a massage therapist to offer deep tissue, sports massage, or warm stone to clients in this stage. Emphasis is on light therapeutic massage, effleurage strokes in the direction of the circulatory system, neuromuscular cues, and the use of ice or a topical analgesic. Once the injured client is past the acute phase deeper massage techniques can be offered.

Work experience in the resort spa, clinical, and private practice environments has taught me that each client is unique. Sometimes a client living with chronic pain needs to decompress with aromatherapy and foot massage prior to manual therapy, or a person seeking relaxation lets me know they have a condition like TMJ that is causing them discomfort. I look forward to seeing clients in my Petaluma private practice because I am presented with these scenarios. I get to be in the moment, strategize session time, and flow at a relaxed pace all at the same time.