Not sure if you need a physiotherapist or a massage therapist to help manage your pain? In some ways, they are similar because they both work to restore function and alleviate pain, but they do differ in their approach to treating symptoms. We’ll explain the difference between the two here to help you determine when you need to book an appointment with a physiotherapist vs. a massage therapist.
Whatis Massage Therapy?
ARegistered Massage Therapist is trained to manipulate soft tissue in the bodyto ease tight muscles, reduce spasms, alleviate chronic pain, and improvecirculation. To obtain the results, therapeutic hands-on techniques are used tomove muscles and soft tissue. The techniques used often include touching theskin, applying pressure, kneading, friction, and stretching to relax muscles,tendons, and ligaments. This leads to a response in the nervous system to relaxand normalize the soft tissue, increase blood and lymph circulation, andenhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the muscle cells. It can beused to treat a wide range of conditions to help reduce pain, inflammation,stress, anxiety, and blood pressure as well as improve sleep, boost immunityand normalize muscle and tissue function.
Whois it for?
Forthose with immediate aches and pains, Massage Therapy does have many physicaland mental benefits. Massage Therapy can be an important part of therehabilitative process in many injuries. However, in general you will not receive a complete injury assessment ortreatment or exercises for the joints that may be affected by the injury. MassageTherapy would be most suited for those who need immediate relaxation of painand muscle spasms or need additional care of these areas after having beenassessed by a Physiotherapist or Athletic Therapist. Physiotherapy and AthleticTherapy initial assessments will include a complete assessment of the injuryand any possible causes as well as a start on a treatment and exercise plan tohelp rehabilitate impairments, pain, and disabilities related to both muscleand joint function.
Whatis Physiotherapy and Athletic Therapy?
Ifyou are experiencing ongoing pain that needs full assessment, preventativetreatment and long-term rehabilitation, Physiotherapy or Athletic Therapy maybe the better choice. Unlike Massage Therapy, Physiotherapy and AthleticTherapy provides a clear impression of the injury through a detailed clinical assessmentin order to find and treat the causes underlying any injury or condition. It isan evidence-based, scientific approach that uses a range of treatmenttechniques that are specifically tailored to the individual’s needs, such as manualtherapy techniques, joint mobilization, manipulation, acupuncture, home/selftreatment and massage to target deeper tissue. The therapy is only done after acomprehensive physical examination, evaluation, and injury impression that isused to create a management program to treat and manage the pain and restoremovement and function to the body.
WhenDo You Need Physiotherapy?
Ingeneral, if you have an injury that is more than a little bit of muscletension, it may be best to start with an assessment by a Physiotherapist orAthletic Therapist. Once the injuryimpression and causes have been assessed and a treatment plan developed, youron-going treatment may also include Registered Massage Therapy along withPhysiotherapy or Athletic Therapy.
Athletesoften turn to Physiotherapists or Athletic Therapists following an injury thatneeds treatment. Those who have undergone surgery often need the aid of Physiotherapyor Athletic Therapy to manage their condition and increase their range ofmotion and normalize their mobility and function. Physiotherapy is not onlyused to treat injuries but also limited movement as the result of age anddisease. Those who have arthritis often seek the help of Physiotherapy orAthletic Therapy as well to restore function and prevent further loss ofmobility.
WhichOne is Right for You?
Todetermine which treatment option is right for you, ask yourself the following:
- Doyou suffer from chronic injuries or need help with injury prevention?
- Doyou suffer from a critical disease?
- Areyou unable to get rid of your backache?
- Doyou have chronic neck-related and tension headaches?
- Doyou have swollen joints or joint conditions?
- Doyou have cartilage or ligament damage?
- Doyou suffer from arthritis or osteoarthritis?
- Haveyou been experiencing the pain for years?
- Haveyou been in a car accident?
Ifyou answered yes to any of the above, you would benefit from seeing a Physiotherapistor Athletic Therapist to fully assess your condition and function and help youmanage your pain and immobility. The right Physiotherapist or AthleticTherapist can treat and cure conditions such as muscle strains and sprains, age-relatedconditions, athletic injuries, car accident rehabilitation, chronic injuries,post-surgical conditions, sciatica and nerve damage, pre and post-natalrehabilitation, and much more. MassageTherapy may be a great addition to your treatment plan, and you may wish to seeboth a Physiotherapist or Athletic Therapist and a Massage Therapist. You can discuss your options with yourtherapist.
WhyChoose Inertia Physio+?
AtInertia Physiotherapy, our team of Physiotherapists, Athletic Therapists andMassage Therapists will work to restore your body’s function and mobilityfollowing an injury, disease or limitation that results from age. One of thebenefits of our clinic, is having all of these services under the same roof. Assuch, we are able to communicate with each other about your care. Our treatmentprogram always includes a detailed examination to create a truly customizedplan for your current condition. Our therapists will work with you to identifythe root cause of your problem, adopt a well-rounded management plan, treat andalleviate the symptoms, help you regain function and provide wellness andhealth advice. And unlike other clinics, we only see a maximum of one to twopatients per hour which means you get dedicated one-on-one time with yourtherapists. At Inertia Physio, ourexpert team of Physiotherapists, Athletic Therapists and Massage Therapists arehighly knowledgeable and trained in using an aggressive hands-on approach thatwill get you back up on your feet in no time.
Ifyou’re ready to become pain-free today, contactus now to book your freeconsultation. In just one session, we will provide you with a customrehabilitation program that will get you one step closer to functioning,pain-free.
