Clients suffering from persistent musculoskeletal problems might find relief through orthopedic massage techniques. These techniques can be learned through home-study massage courses found online and can easily be added to your practice to help treat your clients’ painful conditions that effect the soft tissues of their body.
The course materials offered target painful conditions in the body’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint capsules, fascia, nerves and cartilage. Keep in mind, these courses 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, the 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 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, 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 complementary 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.