Massage & Spa Therapy
How does massage work?
A clinical massage helps relieve pain or tension on a specific part of the body. A physician will refer you to get these massages with the intention to improve a specific condition. In a spa setting, there is no clear goal because the spa treatment is more general. The therapist tries to relax and relieve stress from the patient and is not trying to heal a specific condition.
What other names might this go by?
Clinical Massage
Baleno therapy
What to expect
During a spa visit you will receive basic therapy focused on relaxation. While a spa massage may relax and relieve stress, a medical massage can help to achieve specific targeted outcomes. Though outcomes can vary, medical massage is done to address a specific medical target and can provide some benefits for chronic pain sufferers who can tolerate massage techniques. Most benefits are short term and there is limited evidence that massage produces lasting effects on chronic pain.
Potential risks
Side effects may include temporary pain or discomfort, bruising, soreness, swelling, and a sensitivity or allergy to massage oils.
Resources: https://www.physicaltherapyfirst.com/2018/07/30/medical-massage-therapy-vs-spa-massages/
