Medical Massage

Medical massage is a treatment approach with the focus of relieving a specific condition or painful area. Your therapist will utilize a variety of modalities, such as deep tissue, myofascial release, and manual lymphatic drainage. Depending on your needs, passive joint movement, stretching, trigger point release, PNF stretching, fire cupping, moxa therapy, or kinesiology taping may be implemented into your session.

You and your therapist will set clear and trackable goals to create a cohesive treatment plan, analyze ergonomics and body mechanics outside of the office, and set you up with self-care techniques that will enhance your treatments. If we find that massage isn’t improving your pain, we will help you find the next step for treatment and supply you with useful resources.

Medical Massage is good for

 Deep Tissue

Deep tissue massage focuses on the deeper layers of muscle and fascia, the connective tissue. It is particularly helpful at treating chronic tense, contracted muscles and at releasing “knots”. The focused nature of deep tissue makes it a good modality for treating stiff necks, low back tightness, sore shoulders and for aiding in injury rehabilitation. It is a common misconception that deep tissue work must hurt. While it is more intense it should not hurt. At Thrive your therapist will work with you utilizing communication through the pleasure/pain scale to find a pressure that is perfect for you. More information.

 Myofascial Release

Myofascial massage works with the soft tissues of the body called fascia. Fascia is the connective tissue that covers every muscle, nerve, bone, and organ in your body. In myofascial massage, the connective layers are released, and movement is restored by utilizing long strokes, skin rolling, stretching, and kneading on dry skin. Opening the tissue then allows for proper manipulation of the muscles, restoring circulation and minimizing pain. The pressure applied can be light to heavy, depending on the needs of the client. Myofascial massage is an effective therapeutic approach in the relief of cervical pain, back pain, fibromyalgia, scoliosis, neurological dysfunction, restriction of motion, chronic pain, and headaches. More information 

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD)

MLD is a light, skin-stretching massage that helps promote the movement of lymphatic fluid out of the swollen limb. It should not be confused with a traditional massage. MLD is specifically focused on the lymph vessels to help the flow of lymphatic fluid. Therapy is applied to your unaffected areas first, making it possible for the fluid to move out of the affected area, or “decongest” the region. MLD helps open the remaining functioning lymph collectors and move protein and fluid into them, as well as to help speed up lymph fluid flow through the lymphatics.

For many patients/clients, the main benefits of MLD are helping reduce edemas and inflammation and preventing lymphedema — the latter being of particular importance as there currently is no cure for lymphedema. This treatment is effective both as a preventative treatment and as a postoperative rehabilitation treatment. More information

Craniosacral Therapy (CST) 

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle hands-on technique that uses a light touch to examine membranes and movement of the fluids in and around the central nervous system, a closed fluid system that houses the brain and spinal cord. Any tensions found within directly affect nerve, organ, and muscle functioning. Relieving tension in the central nervous system promotes a feeling of well-being by eliminating pain and boosting health and immunity. More information

Hot Stone Massage

Hot stone massage involves the use of smooth, heated stones. The massage therapist places the hot stones on specific points on your body and may also hold the stones while giving the massage. The localized heat and weight of the stones warm and relax muscles, allowing the massage therapist to apply deeper pressure to those areas without causing discomfort. More information  

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage is one of the most common and well-known forms of massage. Using oil or lotion to reduce friction on the skin, your therapist will use long gentle strokes mixed with some kneading and rolling to ease muscle tension. Swedish massage is wonderful for treating emotional and physical stress. This gentle massage will increase the oxygen levels in your blood, stimulate your skin, and relax your nerves. More information

Prenatal Massage

 Prenatal or pregnancy massage is a type of massage therapy specifically designed to be used during pregnancy. Pregnancy massage may help relieve some of the aches and pains of pregnancy. This practice does carry some risks; it isn’t suitable for every person or every pregnancy. Discuss this practice with your therapist and doctor before starting. More information

Thai Massage

Thai massage was developed more than 2500 years ago. It is performed on a massage mat on the floor with the client in loose, movable clothing. NO OIL IS USED. The therapist will use their hands, feet, knees, and legs to incorporate muscle compression, joint mobilization, acupressure, and gentle stretching. People describe Thai massage as both relaxing and energizing. It is especially helpful for reducing stress, improving circulation, increasing energy, increasing flexibility and range of motion, treating digestive issues, and centering the mind. Sessions are 90 minutes in length to allow time to work on the whole body. More information 

ADD INS

Fire Cupping

Fire cupping, also known as cupping therapy, is an alternative, non-invasive treatment technique that suctions glass cups on the skin to encourage blood flow to damaged areas, enhance circulation, and relieve pain. This unique therapy is often recommended to patients who suffer from muscular pain, joint pain, skin problems, and/or respiratory disorders. More information

Moxa Therapy

Moxa is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine; it is an herb made from mug wort. Practitioners use moxa to warm regions and acupressure points with the intention to strengthen the blood, improve circulation, stimulate the flow of Qi or energy, and maintain good health. More information 

Kinesiology tape

Kinesiology tape is constructed of fine, breathable, stretchable material, which adheres to the skin with a medically approved, water- proof adhesive. Kinesiology tape stabilizes the injured area by lightly adhering to the skin and applying pressure to the tissues the tape is wrapped around. Kinesiology tape stabilizes injured areas by lightly adhering to the skin and applying pressure to the tissues the tape is wrapped around. It’s meant to improve circulation, support muscles, allow the internal injury to heal, and help prevent further muscle injury while still allowing motion. More information