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Clinical Massage:
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- Headaches
- Facet Joint Pain – Facet Arthritis, Facet Syndrome
- Golfers Elbow, Tennis Elbow
- IT Band Syndrome
- Sciatica – Piriformis Syndrome
- Myofascial Pain and Myofascial Pain Syndrome
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome – especially Brachial Plexus Compression
- Fibromyalgia
Joint Dysfunction:
- Sacroiliitis - Sacroiliac Joint Pain – Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Adhesive Capsulitis – Frozen Shoulder
- Hip – Pelvic – Inominate Rotation
- Arthritis – Osteoarthritis
Postural Correction of Pain Sources
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- Lordosis –Hyperlordosis or Hypolordosis – Major cause of lower back pain
- Excessive Forward Head Posture – Major cause of posterior neck pain
- Forward Shoulder Rotation – Major cause of upper back pain
Resolution is based upon a Pain Assessment of the following criteria:
- Medical History
- Visually Observed Characteristics
- Gait Analysis
- Postural Analysis
- Biomechanical Range of Motion Analysis
- Soft Tissue Palpation and Analysis
The Clinical Massage treatment plan includes massage techniques, soft tissue techniques, exercises, and stretches with a high level of client or patient interactivity to afford efficient and maximum rehabilitation of the pain condition.
Here at Honolulu Chronic Pain Management, we utilize all aspects of the Pain Assessment above to perform the following treatment therapy:
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- Cutting Edge Soft Tissue Manual Therapy
- Sports, Injury and Pain Rehabilitation
- Integrative Multiple Modality Therapy
- Tender and Trigger Point Therapy
- Neuromuscular Therapy
Clinical Massage Therapy vs. Spa Massage:
Assessment in Spa Massage is often non-existent. Spa massage focuses more upon general relaxation, ambiance and rejuvenation of the human body’s resources. Clinical Massage specifically targets the resolution of pain or other dysfunction, and minimizes the “fight or flight” activity of the sympathetic nervous system. Honolulu Chronic Pain Management does not perform Spa Massage.Equipment—Table, Tools, Lotion
At Honolulu Chronic Pain Management, a customized massage table with a specially constructed horseshoe-shaped face cradle is used to position you in a comfortable position when lying face down. This table allows access by the massage therapist to the appropriate areas of your anatomy for therapeutic clinical massage treatment. Specially constructed bolsters and pillows are also used for added relief.If required, we will use special massage tools to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of your therapy. Depending upon your condition, the Therapist might use heating pads to increase circulation and warm up affected areas or use ice to decrease inflammation or provide an anesthetic effect. Different types of Oils and Lotions may or may not be used to increase your comfort and enhance the suppleness of soft tissue as well as providing a therapeutic response by creating either a warming or cooling effect or sensation on applied areas of your body.Preparing for your Clinical Massage Appointments
There are some things you need to do in order to prepare yourself for successful massage therapy sessions: When scheduling your massage therapy appointments, if possible, try choosing a time frame when you don’t have anything important before or after your massage therapy session. This will help you to enter and leave your session in a relaxed state.Please re-schedule your appointment if you are sick
If you are in the contagious stages of a cold, with running or stuffed up nose, sneezing, coughing, or fever, please reschedule your appointment to a time when your symptoms are considerably diminished, as massage will only make your cold worse, not better, and you will likely experience a great deal of unpleasant post session muscular aches and pains.Massage Therapy Intake and Medical History Questionnaire
The Massage Therapy Intake and Medical History Questionnaire is a very important aspect of your initial Clinical Massage Appointment. There are critically important questions regarding your medically history that could have a profound effect upon your treatment. Please complete the intake thoroughly as much as possible and if possible, prior to your appointment time.Questions you may have
The night before your session, take some time to write down any questions you might have regarding your Clinical condition that you would like to ask your Massage Therapist. This will help you to gain further insight to your condition and how your massage therapist could provide you with the best clinical massage care possible.Hygiene
If possible, try to bathe or shower before your massage therapy session to remove excess sweat and body odor.Dress
Dress in clean, comfortable and simple clothing for your session. Shorts and tank tops are recommended. Avoid complicated and layered clothing. Comfortable shorts are preferred over slacks or dresses. If your legs and feet need massage, shoes will slow things down considerably. Flips flops make getting on and off the massage table easier. Jewelry and complicated clothing take time away from the session. Wear your hair up and out of the way. Please remove any jewelry prior to the session.Sinus Comfort
Your sinuses and nasal passages could become congested while lying face down positioned with your face in the face cradle of a massage table. If needed, the use of a nasal decongestant just prior to your appointment will help to open your nasal passages and sinuses, resulting in a much more relaxing and effective session.Undressing Clothing Comfort Level
Massage is a very personalized experience that involves one human touching another human being. Clothing limits the type of massage techniques that can be applied to the affected areas of your pain and discomfort, thereby limiting the effectiveness of the massage session in general. Patients disrobe to their comfort level and are draped with a sheet and/or towel except for the area where the massage is being performed. Private parts will always be covered with a sheet or towel. Pelvic work in the hip, buttock or groin area might be required, but will only be performed with the consent of the patient. The therapist might ask your permission to have those areas undressed, but your privacy and modesty will never be compromised. The Initial Visit Questionnaire will ask you about additional areas of your body that cannot be touched, or where you are ticklish, or sensitive to pressure or touch. With regard to your undressing comfort level, you will be positioned on the massage table in a manner that is comfortable for you and affords the therapist access to the parts of your body that need to be worked on.Your privacy and modesty will never be compromised, and will always be held with high regard.
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The Assessment
Your first session will be an “Assessment” to gather information that will aid the Clinical Massage Therapist in determining the most appropriate Clinical Massage Treatment Plan for your medical condition. Please understand that the amount of information needed for the Assessment could greatly cut down on the amount of actual massage time for the 1st session. The “Assessment” consists of:History
This is your Clinical history that includes questions to identify the client or patient’s complaint.Observation
Visual analysis watching for gait irregularities or postural distortion and patterns of body symmetry could reveal information about muscular tension, previous injury, or tissue dysfunction. Skin texture and appearance may point to certain orthopedic problems or systemic disorders.Range-of-Motion and Resistive Tests
This is the evaluation of your ability to move actively, passively, and against manual resistance.Special Orthopedic Tests
These are designed to evaluate the likelihood of a specific problem. Many special orthopedic tests are designed to provoke or reproduce an existing pain complaint.Palpation
Palpation occurs during the initial evaluation and throughout the treatment process. This part of the Assessment is normally conducted when you are in the appropriate position on the massage table. Acquired information includes: Temperature, Texture, Tenderness, Tone, and Referred Sensation.Next
The massage therapist will prepare the massage table for you, then step out of your area, draw the blinds, and wait until you have undressed and are positioned as required on the massage table under sheet(s) and/or towel(s), and blankets if needed and that you are appropriately covered before returning to work on you. Once you are comfortable on the table under the draping, the therapist will uncover the draping at the areas to be worked on, and will start to palpate those affected areas to get a “Mental Snapshot” of what needs to be done. Please notify the massage therapist immediately if you are uncomfortable undraping the affected are where massage therapy is required. Once that initial “Snapshot” is acquired, the therapist replaces the draping and with your permission applies heat or cold to the affected areas. |
Ready to go
Once the affected areas have been warmed up or cooled down, the therapist will start to work on those areas. During the session, you will be queried often to determine if you are comfortable, if the treatment is effective, if the therapist is working on the correct areas and if the level of massage pressure is tolerable and is not “inflicting” rather than relieving pain. Your Clinical Massage Therapist will either gently move you or tell you what is needed throughout the session (such as lifting your arm). Many people just close their eyes and completely relax. Others like to talk during their session. Feel free to ask your Massage Therapist questions about Massage and Bodywork in general or about the particular technique you are receivingIf your sinuses become stuffed or conversely are draining during the massage session, please inform your therapist of this situation as soon as possible so that your therapist may help your comfort during your massage session as much as possible.Recommendations to Patients - Exercises and Suggestions
After your initial massage session is over, the massage therapist might recommend follow-up appointments and exercises that you can perform at home, which will help to accelerate your healing process and to ensure that you remain on the path to recovery. The therapist might also recommend that you avoid activities that could aggravate the pain. It is recommended that you increase their intake of water unless you have a condition that contraindicates the increased ingestion of water.Post Session
After your massage session, you might feel relaxed and/or refreshed and rejuvenated. Some patients experience freedom from long-term aches and pains developed from tension or repetitive activity. After an initial period of feeling slowed down, some people often experience increased energy, heightened awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. It is recommended that you drink plenty of water following your Massage.DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Occasionally, some people experience post massage soreness the day after their massage. This is nothing to worry about. This delayed onset muscle soreness is not unlike what you might experience after intense exercise. Most people feel a great reduction of their original muscle tightness and/or pain after the delayed soreness resolves itself.Any time muscle tenderness occurs, place one cup of Epsom salts in hot bath water. Soak for 20 minutes and follow with a cool shower. This soak/bath is contraindicated for anyone with cardiovascular problems, or kidney (Renal) or any other conditions that might respond negatively to forms of heat therapy.
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