Everyone can agree that fitness and exercise is a critical aspect of our daily living. The body was fashioned to move (along with a whole long list of functions). I know that after I work out, I feel a lot better when the endorphins kick in, although sometimes it can be a bit sore. But have you ever walked out of a massage treatment room feeling great, then your RMT outlines home care recommendations, and thought "You want me to do HOMEWORK?!"
The answer is - yes, we do!
A massage treatment can accomplish many things, even in a single session. But what a lot of clients don't realize is that the second you get off the table, things are changing. Your body is in motion, meaning your muscle are active and tensing up. Your awareness comes back into your body, and you get thinking about all the other tasks you need to accomplish for the day/week/month, etc... Without proper interventions, your level of pain and/or stress will be back to where you were when you came in for your massage, and that simply won't do!
As Registered Massage Therapists, we can make certain recommendations to help with your healing in between treatments so that you get better faster!
After the assessment and treatment have completed, we will have a better understanding if the soft tissues in your body are causing your symptoms and what is the possible source. So you have a through understanding of the home care, we will explain the recommendations in detail (including possible sensations), and in some situations demonstrate any exercises for clarification. You can ask any questions and even show us the exercise if you wish to ensure you understand what you're doing and to make sure that you're doing it correctly. If the exercise at any point (during a demonstration or at home) causes any pain or discomfort, discontinue the exercise and notify your therapist. That way we can determine an appropriate substitution to help you without impeding your healing. (COMMUNICATION / PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARD 13 Recommend Self-Care, 2006).
Now that you know why and how we give home care exercises, now lets discuss what your massage therapist CAN and CANNOT give recommendations for you:
Your Massage Therapist CAN recommend (Kisner, Colby, 2007):
1) Deep diaphragmatic breathing - to help relax your mind and body and promote lymphatic drainage.
2) Drinking water - massage treatments can stimulate the renal system to help eliminate toxins. This makes you urinate a little more frequently, making your body dehydrated. Replacing the water will help keep you hydrated and feeling great!
3) Stretches/Strengthening Exercises - to help muscle imbalances for pain management.
4) Self Massage - usually to aid in the lymphatic treatments.
5) Hydrotherapy/Cryotherapy - to help our healing.
6) Body Awareness - to help with pain during certain activities (at work, sleeping, etc).
You Massage Therapist CANNOT recommend:
Dietary Changes/Supplements
Performing techniques outside of the Massage Therapy Scope of Practice
If you wish to explore these options, we will refer you to a qualified health care practitioner to ensure you are receiving the best quality care for your health.
Now you know not only why your RMT will recommend home care, but also what we can (and cannot) recommend to you.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog today, and I hope you have a fantastic day!
References:
COMMUNICATION / PUBLIC HEALTH STANDARD 13 Recommend Self-Care. (2006, January). Retrieved April 20, 2017, from http://www.cmto.com/assets/cph_13.pdf
Kisner, C., & Colby, L. A. (2007). Therapeutic exercise: foundations and techniques (5th ed.). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.
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