Patients often ask, "Do you think a massage will help me?"  My typical answer to them is, "It certainly won't hurt you and it may help you feel better for a short period of time."  But massage alone usually puts a band-aid on a symptom.  Compare it to replacing a worn out tire without aligning the car.  The tires will keep wearing out until the car is aligned.  My point is, Physical Therapists are trained to look at an entire body or system as it relates to function, movement, posture, coordination, and strength.  Though we will address eliminating the symptoms (soreness, pain, etc.) we will also continue on to find and correct the cause of the symptoms.

Faulty postures can lead to tension headaches, back, neck or shoulder pain, and while a massage may improve how you feel short term, until the cause of the faulty postures is identified and corrected, the pain will return.

Soft tissue injuries, bruises for example, may also benefit from a massage which can help to improve blood flow, influence healing, and reduce pain.  But if range of motion and proper strengthening exercises are not incorporated, healing will take even longer.  The Physical Therapists at Alliance Physical Therapy are highly trained in soft tissue mobilization (restoring proper movement and position of muscles, ligaments, tendons, etc.) and massage techniques, but also to identify and correct the causes of the pain and utilize the proper techniques to ensure full recovery.  Furthermore, these services are covered by nearly all insurance policies, including Medicare and Medicaid.

Yours in health,

Matt