Medical Massage

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. 
• Lack of scar pliability. 
• Plus other soft tissue issues.

• The therapist has specialized training and utilizes various treatment modalities.
• The initial assessment is thorough.
• Clients receive a treatment plan, as one visit typically does not resolve most issues.
• Each session follows a protocol of “assess, treat, reassess, and assign homework.”
• Clients remain partially clothed, typically in shorts and a t-shirt or tank top, for most treatments.
• Clients actively participate in release techniques and may be required to move during sessions.
• Clients receive insurance billing codes on their receipts.
• Clients can request detailed SOAP notes for their insurance and healthcare providers.

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.