Medical massage follows the "assess, treat, reassess, homework" protocol to address specific conditions and enhance functional outcomes. Treatments can be either prescribed by a healthcare provider or self-prescribed. Common issues treated include chronic muscle tension, injury recovery, fascial adhesions, limited mobility, and pain reduction. Gudjon Bergmann is a specially trained medical massage practitioner (MMP) who offers massage (CPT 97124) and manual therapy (CPT 97140) at a rate of $30 per 15-minute session.
Please reach Gudjon Bergmann (LMT, MMP) at contactmindfulhands@gmail.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Medical massage can help relieve chronic muscle tension, support injury recovery, treat fascial adhesions, increase mobility, correct muscle imbalances, and reduce pain. It is important to note that massage therapy is not a standalone medical treatment; it is usually used in conjunction with other modalities, such as physical therapy, chiropractic care, occupational therapy, or allopathic medicine. Common conditions addressed through medical massage include upper-cross syndrome (characterized by rounded shoulders), lower-cross syndrome (associated with an arched lower back), piriformis syndrome (resulting in hip pain), fascial adhesions, limited mobility, compensation patterns, increasing scar pliability, and other soft tissue issues.
When prescribed, massage therapy is associated with the insurance code CPT 97124. This encompasses Swedish massage techniques such as gliding, compression, kneading, percussion, joint mobilization, and friction. Meanwhile, manual therapy is linked to the insurance code CPT 97140 and includes various techniques such as myofascial therapy, trigger point therapy, dynamic cupping, vibrational therapy, positional release, PNF stretching, and more, depending on the therapist's qualifications.
Treatment typically requires five to ten sessions, though this number can vary depending on the severity of the underlying issue. Most clients start with one or two sessions per week and then decrease their frequency as treatment progresses.
Yes, you can use your HSA or FSA card to pay for medical massage and other types of massage (code 8099).
Mindful Hands Massage does not currently accept insurance; however, Bergmann provides the necessary insurance codes and paperwork to help you bill your insurance provider if massage therapy is covered and prescribed.
A healthcare provider, such as a doctor, physical therapist, or chiropractor, can prescribe massage as part of their treatment plan. However, if you know or suspect the condition you are dealing with and have heard that massage may help, you can consider self-prescribing medical massage to aid in your healing process.
For most treatments, clients wear shorts and a tank top or t-shirt to allow for better movement. Medical massage may include active releases, stretching, and reassessment. If additional skin access is needed, clients will be securely draped.
Medical massage is slightly more expensive because it requires more training and paperwork.
Anna Downing Gillespie