4 Kinds of Injuries Massage Therapy Can Help With

by Kevin Smith Author

Do you have plans to become a massage therapist? Aside from giving your clients the relaxation they deserve, you'll also help heal their injuries. Here are some you may encounter:

Lower Back Pain

This is one of the most common injuries massage therapists deal with. A lot of people have to sit in front of desks for their jobs all day, putting pressure on their spine and back muscles. And, bad posture only makes this worse. Bodies simply aren't meant to stay in that position for hours on end.

This is usually seen in people who perform manual labor as well, such as carrying and picking up heavy items. They may not be lifting correctly, which puts a strain on their muscles. Whatever their profession, having regular massage treatments can help keep the pain at bay and strengthen their backs.

Soft Tissue Injuries

This is a pretty broad category that includes strains, sprains, and tendon injuries. The term also covers contusions and swelling around the joints. It can result from playing sports, dancing, exercising, and other physical activities.

If a person suffers from any of these, they should see a medical professional first. It's also a good idea to wait a few days to let the injury heal before having it massaged. How the therapist handles it will depend on the severity. But, whatever they do, it'll help relax the muscles and aid in pain relief.

Rotator Cuff Tear

The rotator cuff is one of the muscles that lets your arm rotate at the shoulder. It can get injured when a person strains or pinches the tendon, resulting in soft tissue damage. When this happens, bruising, swelling, and general pain follow soon after.

Massage therapy can be a big help in repairing the injury. It makes the healing process quicker by improving circulation and breaking down scar tissue. The therapist can also ensure that the muscle fibers aren't shortened, and their client has full range of motion once they're done.

Tennis Elbow

A tennis elbow, or lateral epicondylitis, is an inflammation of the tendon that connects your forearm to the joint due to overuse. This leads to a large amount of pain and tenderness around the injured area. It doesn't only happen to sports players, but also cleaners and office workers.

Like any injury, applying ice and compressing the area is the first step to repair the damaged tissue. People who suffer from this will also benefit from a massage. When used in combination with physiotherapy, the patient will recover faster and improve their range of motion.

These are just a few things you'll have to deal with if you want to try your hand at the profession. If you're ready to get started, research the massage therapy school cost in Baltimore, MD, and find one that suits your needs best.