For those who never have a clinical massage session after any injuries, choosing your therapist can be a crucial matter. You need to find a knowledgeable therapist who knows about your medical condition. This therapist have to be able to modify the treatments according to the stages of the injury.
In any injuries, there are four healing stages:
Within 1- 2 days, it's considered an acute stage. That means your therapist needs to refer you to an M.D. Any massage therapists shouldn't handle any acute conditions, so that the client will be handled with a proper medical attention.
Within 2 days- 2 weeks, it's considered an early sub-acute stage. Which in this case, your therapist should be able to work peripheral (away from) the injury site. The therapist should realize that at this stage, muscle spasm is needed as a way the body to protect its structure. Therefore, your massage therapist should not diminish all the muscle spasms.
Within 3 weeks, it's considered a late sub-acute stage. Which in this case, scar tissue may be developed to quickly fix the injury site. Your therapist should be able to work closer to the injury site. This stage is also the most ideal stage for your therapist to start breaking down the scar tissue, because the untreated scar tissue may decrease the "Range of Motion" of the joint near the site.
Within 3 weeks- 1 year, it's considered a chronic stage. At this point your therapist should release most trigger points ("knot") in your muscles and work directly at the injury site. The goal of your therapist should be able to alleviate majority of your clinical symptoms and musculoskeletal ailments.
The time line of these stages may vary depending on the severity and the type of the injuries. However, last but not least, it's always a good idea to consult your therapist and other medical professional before you start the healing process.
Written by: Friska Streeter, L.M.T. ***(see also "acute stage for whiplash")
Contact info: Friska Streeter, L.M.T.
(708) 769-1803-- private practice at Mokena, IL
www.lestari.radiusweb.net
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