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Your Massage Therapy Questions Answered by a Medical Doctor
Monday, January 13, 2025, 05:03 PM
When combined, massage therapy and medicine can enhance overall health and well-being. The collaboration of these two practices offers a comprehensive path to healing, whether it's easing muscle tension, improving circulation, or supporting mental health.
In this blog, we asked Dr. Mary Chisholm to answer the most common patient questions about massage therapy. Together, we explored its benefits and how it can complement conventional medical treatments.
Meet Dr. Mary Chisholm, MD
Dr. Mary (as she prefers to be called) is a seasoned medical professional with 24 years of experience in family practice (FP) and anesthesia. As an FP anesthetist, she combines patient-centred care at Synergy Medical Clinic in Sherwood Park, AB, with the precision of anesthesia services at Sturgeon Community Hospital in St. Albert, AB.
Besides her medical expertise, she is also a strong advocate for massage therapy. As someone who enjoys massage, she firmly believes in its ability to support physical and mental well-being.
What are the most common misconceptions about massage therapy you've encountered?
Some older people question the validity of massage, remembering some of the questionable "massage clinics" of the past. Other people think that massage therapy is a luxury — only for the wealthy — or just for relaxation instead of an actual therapy for improving health and healing.
How can massage therapy complement conventional medical treatments?
This is a big question! Massage therapy can be part of regular health maintenance and used to treat a specific issue. It has physical and mental benefits.
Physical benefits include improved circulation, a decrease in muscle stiffness and joint inflammation, improved sleep quality, improved flexibility, less pain/soreness, a strengthened immune response, and, for athletes, quicker recovery between workout sessions.
The mental benefits include a decrease in stress levels and anxiety, improved relaxation and mood, more energy, and an increased feeling of general wellness.
Healing or health is often best attained/maintained using multiple different approaches to therapy (massage, physiotherapy, medications, stretching, counselling, etc.).
In what situations would you advise patients to seek massage therapy as part of their treatment plan?
Massage therapy can be a useful adjunct (in addition to conventional treatments) for helping with mental health conditions (anxiety and depression), headaches, insomnia, fibromyalgia, neurologic pain, post-operative care, scar tissue treatment (e.g., after breast cancer treatment), soft tissue injuries, sport-related injuries, and TMJ disorders.
In what situations would you advise a client to avoid or postpone a massage treatment?
If you are not sure but are interested in trying massage therapy, I suggest talking to your health professional to make sure it is appropriate for your health condition. There are some situations where you may want to avoid massage therapy.
Some situations relate to conditions (e.g., if you have a fever, a current infectious disease, or a skin rash). Some situations are more related to timing (e.g., immediately after surgery or fracture). Massage may be a useful treatment after surgery or a bone fracture. However, it might be of more help later on after the acute injury has settled.
Again, the timing of therapy would be best discussed with your health care professional.
There are some instances where I would suggest avoiding massage absolutely if you have:
- developed a blood clot
- severe osteoporosis
- an untreated medical condition (like severe high blood pressure)
Some people might add pregnancy to this list as well.
What should patients discuss with their doctor before starting massage therapy treatments, especially if they have existing medical conditions?
Firstly, I would advise patients to talk to their health care practitioner about any medical conditions they have or any medications they are taking (e.g., infusions) and whether these will preclude them from undergoing massage therapy.
Secondly, I would ask about timing. Is there a better time for them to start massages, given their situation?
Thirdly, I would ask about an insurance letter. Some people have coverage and can only access it with a letter from their physician.
Should massage therapy be integrated into hospital settings or primary care practices?
That would be awesome if we could do that! Hospital patients are often lying still in a single position for many days. Massage could go a long way towards helping alleviate medical issues that can be associated with long-term bed rest (pressure sores, etc.) and stressors associated with long-term hospital stays (depression, anxiety, etc.).
It would also be great to incorporate massage therapy into private practice for prevention and maintenance of treatment for patients. The health care team could better communicate with each other about the concerns they have about the patient's health to facilitate the best care.
How have you incorporated massage therapy in your own personal routine?
I found going for massage once or twice monthly to be beneficial. I have also tried some other unique types of massage in the past. In Thailand, I had a Thai massage (the therapist used their elbows and really got into it), and in Chicago, I had a yoga massage, where the therapist conducted the therapy with you in different yoga poses.
I think trying different types of massage can help you find the type that suits you best. And it's fun!
Find the Right Treatment and Practitioner for You
You've heard it from a medical doctor — your journey to better health often includes a combination of different therapeutic approaches. Massage therapy can play a vital role in reducing stress, relieving pain, improving circulation, and enhancing overall well-being.
With a big "doctor-approved" stamp of confidence, it's time to find the perfect practitioner for your unique needs. The NHPC recognizes over 60 holistic health treatments and insures over 7,000 practitioners across Canada.