If you have clients suffering from musculoskeletal problems, you might consider taking a course in orthopedic massage.
The techniques learned through home-study orthopedic massage courses can easily be added to your practice to help treat your clients’ painful conditions that affect the soft tissues of their body. If applied properly, the courses target painful conditions in the body’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, fascia, nerves and cartilage. But these courses do require extensive training.
Orthopedic massage home-study courses can be found through a simple online search and include topics that cover the treatment of subscapularis tendinitis, tennis elbow, lateral ankle sprain, patella tendinitis and Achilles tendinitis. The home-study courses also delve into teaching about massage techniques and musculoskeletal disorders, along with thermal modalities, treatment aids and the physiological effects.
Before conducting any treatment, a therapist should conduct a client assessment to determine any pre-existing medical conditions. If the massage techniques are not applied correctly, it can cause the client injury.
A recent case study measured the effectiveness of orthopedic massage in the rehabilitation of post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). In their treatment, massage therapists focused on lymphatic drainage, myofascial release, neuromuscular therapy including trigger-point release, muscle energy techniques and cross-fiber friction, according to the 2008 study.
Orthopedic physical assessment tests were used on the female athlete subject to measure the effectiveness of the therapy. Therapists also relied on the woman’s reporting of pain level and function.
Ultimately, the results of this study showed a decrease in pain levels, hamstring flexion contracture and lateral tracking of the patella, the study said. Orthopedic massage was determined to be an effective complimentary therapy.
Researchers noted that studies in the field are limited because finding a group of like subjects is difficult, as many injuries are unique.
Make sure to check with your national and state licensing bodies to make sure the courses your select are acceptable for continuing education credits.