Therapeutic Massage Therapy

At Oasis Chiropractic Center We Believe That Massage is a Perfect Complement to Chiropractic Care

Consider Therapeutic Massage Therapy when recommend by your chiropractor. Dr. Starkman believes it’s important to treat soft tissues such as muscles and tendons to help prevent and correct subluxations, and lessen the accompanying pain. Together, chiropractic and massage provide you with a more complete and effective system of treatment. Therapeutic massage and stretching can help you regain and maintain proper alignment. When muscles are relaxed and restored to their optimal length, correct posture and alignment are more easily sustained.

While chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the spine and its impact on the nervous system, massage focuses on the 650 muscles of the body. Both disciplines work together to help keep the body in proper alignment, balance and function.

Retraining Your Spine

Long-standing spinal problems are accompanied by ingrained muscle patterns. Muscle spasms and scar tissue are often involved. By augmenting your chiropractic care with massage therapy, these muscle and soft tissue problems can be addressed. This can help speed your recovery and enhance the retraining of your spine.

massge therapy in miami

Jacqui performing a Deep Tissue Massage

 

Types of Massage

There are many different kinds of massage.  We offer a variety of Massage techniques at OasisChiropracticCenter depending on each patient’s individual needs.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. The massage therapist uses slower strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. Deep tissue massage is used for chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury. People often feel sore for one to two days after deep tissue massage.

For more information abut Deep Tissue Massage click here.

Pregnancy Massage

Also called prenatal massage, pregnancy massage is becoming increasingly popular with expectant mothers. We have an experienced Massage therapist who knows the proper way to position and support the woman’s body during the massage, and how to modify techniques. Pregnancy massage is used to reduce stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pains, and reduce anxiety and depression. The massage is customized to a woman’s individual needs.

To learn more about Pregnancy Massage, please click here.

Massage Therapy – Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I expect during my first massage therapy visit?

You are required to receive a recommendation for massage by Dr. Starkman prior to any session at our office. We will require you to fill out a Massage Policy Form at our front desk. Afterwards the therapist will begin by asking you general questions to establish what areas you would like worked on, if there are any specific conditions needing to be addressed Dr. Starkman would have discussed it with the massage therapist before your visits. Unfortunately do to the high demand for treatment with our massage therapist we reserve services only for those Oasis Chiropractic patients.

2. Where will my massage session take place?

Your massage will take place in a warm, comfortable quiet room inside our office. Ambiance music may be played to help you relax. You will lie on a massage table especially designed for your comfort and relaxation.

3. Who Will Perform the Massage?

Our Licensed Massage Therapist.  Jacqui performs all body work except for CranioSacral Therapy which is performed by Aaron.

4. What do I wear during the massage?

Depending on the area the therapist will be working on, you may or may not need to undress fully. For a full body massage, most people choose to only wear underwear. Your massage therapist will give you privacy to undress, and you will be covered with a sheet and blanket at all times except the area being worked on.

5. What do I do during a massage therapy treatment?

Make yourself comfortable. If your therapist wants you to adjust your position, she or he will either move you or will ask you to move what is needed. Most people close their eyes and relax completely during a session. It is your massage, and whatever feels natural to you is the best way to relax. Do not hesitate to ask questions at any time.

6. How will a massage feel?

Our massage therapist specialized in deep tissue massage. This therapy focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. As your body becomes relaxed, pressure is gradually increased to relax specific areas and relieve areas of muscular tension. Often, a light oil or lotion is used to allow your muscles to be massaged without causing excessive friction to the skin. Do not hesitate to ask questions or mention if you feel any discomfort or pain so that the massage therapist can use another approach or technique.

7. How often should I receive a massage?

Different injuries require different care. Acute injuries frequently require more treatments of shorter duration for example, once a week for 30 minute sessions, while treatment for chronic conditions  may require one hour sessions once a week, however everyone’s different and Dr. Starkman will advise and recommend if and how often you should see our massage therapist. If you receive massage care for stress management or as an important ingredient in your “healthy lifestyle”, we encourage you receive massage therapy once a month for a half or full hour massage session depending on your preference.  Our patients find massage therapy to be a helpful complement to chiropractic care. Ultimately, the decision of how often you receive massage is based on input from your body, your doctor and your massage therapist.

8. How long will a massage treatment last?

The average full-body massage treatment lasts approximately one hour. A half-hour appointment only allows time for a partial massage session, such as neck and shoulders, back or legs and feet.  Always allow relaxation time prior to and after the session, So please arrive 5 minutes prior to your massage to assure you can sit down and un-wind from the outside world prior to receiving care. Please be advised that if you are more than 10 minutes late to a scheduled half hour appointment you will loose your visit and it will count as a missed appointment.

9. How will I feel after the massage therapy treatment?

Most people feel extremely relaxed. Many experience relief from long-term aches and pains developed from tension, repetitive activity and/or an injury. After an initial period of feeling slowdown, people often experience increased energy, sharp awareness, and greater productivity which can last for days. Since toxins are released from your soft tissues during a massage, it is suggested you drink plenty of water following your massage.  Our massage therapist often recommends a hot Epsom salt bath that encourages the release of toxins that may have been stirred up from the massage treatment.

10. What do I do after my massage?

  • Get Adjusted

Together, chiropractic and massage facilitate the natural healing process by keeping the body in proper alignment and ensuring a free flow of nerve impulses and circulation of fluids. Because muscles are attached to bones and joints it is very important for them to be relaxed and stretched to aid in adjustments to the skeletal system.  The majority of our patients opt to receive a massage prior to being adjusted.  Unless our staff is otherwise advised by the patient, we always schedule an adjustment right after your massage. We do are very best to always have an adjusting room available to our massage patients immediately following their massage session, therefore you never have to wait very long to be seen with Dr. Starkman.

Some Benefits of Massage Therapy before Chiropractic Care:
–Helps prepare the body for better adjustments
–It increases the effectiveness of treatments
–Relieves muscle tension and pain
–Helps you relax overall and become more receptive to the adjustments needed

  • After your massage, drink plenty of water through the next two to three days
  • Eat light foods and try to rest after the treatment
  • Do not engage in any stressful activity if possible. If working out at the gym, it is not recommended to lift weights after a deep tissue massage
  • Moist heat (i.e. hot water packs) and ice can be used alternately for 10 minutes on areas of soreness to heal the areas where deeper massage work was performed
  • Soak in a hot bath with Epsom salts
  • It is not uncommon to feel soreness after a massage. The massage therapist has uncovered an area where there is a lot of tension. Alternating hot and cold compresses on the area of soreness will help, as well
  • Schedule a follow up appointment. Therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative. If you are getting a massage to help with chronic pain or tension, be open and prepared to schedule follow up massage sessions.

11. How do I get the most out of my Massage?

  • Don’t eat just before a massage session. Your body should have time to digest your meal first.
  • Be on time. It is quite difficult to relax if you arrive in a rushed state.
  • Let the massage therapist know your expectations and reasons for the massage.
  • If you have a preference, communicate with the therapist if you like to talk or prefer to remain silent during your massage.
  • Provide feedback to the massage therapist advising on the amount of pressure you desire, report any discomfort or distractions from the technique, music, temperature, etc.
  • Breathing properly helps us relax, so try to breathe normally.
  • Relax
  • Take your time when getting up from a massage. Try to take in how you feel, the effects of the session, and make sure you are not dizzy or light-headed.
  • Drink plenty of water after your massage, this helps to flush away any toxins released from your soft tissue.

Massage Therapy can enhance your vitality and sense of well-being. Massage has been shown to…

  • Improve posture and re-balance your body/mind
  • Loosen tight muscles
  • Relieve tired and aching muscles
  • Ease constipation, gas and heartburn
  • Stimulate intestinal movement
  • Eliminate excess fluid retention
  • Increase flexibility and range of motion
  • Diminishes chronic pain
  • Calm the nervous system
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Lower heart rate
  • Enhance skin tone
  • Assist in recovery from injuries
  • Strengthen the immune system
  • Reduce tension headaches
  • Reduce mental stress
  • Improve concentration
  • Promote restful sleep
  • Promote mental relaxation

Plus, it just feels good!

Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting a massage regularly can do even more. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled treatment can play a huge part in your health and wellness plan, but despite its benefits, massage isn’t meant as a replacement for regular Chiropractic Care. Consult with Dr. Starkman a Wellness Plan that works best for you. At the end of the session you will be evaluated by Dr. Starkman and together you can decide when your next treatment should be scheduled.  Dr. Starkman will make recommendations, but you know your body best and will have the opportunity to schedule based on your needs.

Cancellation of appointments:

Massage appointments are especially reserved for each patient. We request the courtesy for a 24-hour cancellation notice. No shows or cancellations of less than 24 hours are subject to a $25 fee for half hour and $50 fee for full hour sessions. More information is provided in our Massage Policy Form.

Late Arrivals:

If you arrive late, your session may be shortened in order to accommodate others whose appointments follow yours. Depending upon how late you arrive, your therapist will then determine if there is enough time remaining to start a treatment. Regardless of the length of the treatment actually given, you will be responsible for the “full” session. Out of respect and consideration to your therapist and other customers, please plan accordingly and be on time.