What is Medical Massage?
Medical massage is a targeted approach to massage therapy aimed at achieving specific therapeutic outcomes. Your massage therapist will take the time to do a thorough intake interview including a postural assessment, range of motion testing, and medical history examination. Your massage therapist will use this information to determine your exact needs and together you will establish specific treatment goals.
These goals may include:
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Pain management
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Improving mental health and wellness
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Increasing range of motion and flexibility
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Improving posture and muscle imbalances
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Decreasing inflammation
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Managing symptoms from injuries, diseases, and disorders
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Shortening recovery time
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Increasing immune response
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Improving circulation
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Improving sleep, focus, and energy
*A medical massage therapist cannot diagnose or prescribe.
Common Conditions Addressed:
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For Athletes:
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Sports Events (Pre or Post)
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Acute or soft tissue injuries (strained muscles or ligaments such as pulled hamstring, MCL strain, twisted ankle, shin splints, pulled rotator cuff)
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Postural Imbalances that impact movement or range of motion
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Injury prevention
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Overuse
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Plantar Fasciitis, Shin Splints, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Golfer's elbow, Tennis Elbow, Carpal Tunnel, Tendinitis
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Chronic Pain Management
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Scoliosis, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Complex Regional Pain Syndrom (CRPS), TMJ disorders
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Autoimmune and Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Rheumatoid arthritis, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)
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Post-Surgical Operations
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Rotator cuff repair, shoulder replacement, labrum repair, hip replacement, knee surgery, Achilles tendon replacement, cervical or spinal fusions
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Back pain
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Scoliosis, sciatica, pulled back, herniated or bulging discs, spinal fusions, disc replacements
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Neck pain
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Whiplash, herniated or bulging discs, cervical fusions, disc replacements
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Soft tissue or acute injuries
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Migraines and headaches
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Digestive problems
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Parasympathetic nervous system disorders
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Insomnia
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Stress, anxiety, and depression
**Medical massage can NOT cure these conditions, but can help manage symptoms associated with them or empower your body to heal itself.
Our Services
You and your massage therapist will work together to determine your specific treatment goals and a unique combination of techniques will be used to achieve those goals. Extended gaps between sessions allow our therapists to give you all the time you need before and after your session to explain goals, ask questions, and discuss follow up care.
At Golden Medical Massage, we believe every patient has a unique set of needs, and therefore, we do not charge extra for certain services. Because of this, you do not need to select your preferred massage techniques prior to your appointment. You and your massage therapist will discuss your preferences on the day of your appointment before your massage. You will receive your massage at the price listed below, regardless of which techniques you require.
Too many times, clients walk away from a traditional massage saying “that was nice, but not very productive” or “that was nice, but I wish they spent more time working my problem areas”. We are here to change that. If you’re ready to experience the Golden Medical Massage difference, click here to book now.
Medical Massage
Deep Tissue Massage
Swedish Massage
Sports Massage
Prenatal Massage**
Pin and Stretch
Passive and Active Stretching
Aromatherapy
Cupping
Trigger Point Massage
Positional Release
Myofascial Release
Hot Stones
Have questions? Visit the FAQ or ask about accommodations
for special conditions or unique situations.
**If you are pregnant and interested in receiving a prenatal massage, please do NOT book online. Instead, reach out via text or call. Special accommodations for safety must be made for expectant mothers and we want to make sure you receive the treatment you need during this special time.
60 Minute
Customized Therapeutic Massage
$120
90 Minute
Customized Therapeutic Massage
$170
This is hands down the best place I’ve ever received a massage! Arielle truly knows what she’s doing as a Medical Massage & Body Work Therapist. Before each session, we have a quick chat about any pain or tension I’m experiencing, and she tailors the massage to address my needs. The atmosphere is very relaxing, and I always leave feeling refreshed and relieved.
If you’re looking for a true massage that actually makes a difference — whether for relaxation, pain relief, or a specific issue— this is the place to go. Unlike many spa places where you don’t feel any real change afterward, Arielle’s massages are more medical and intentional. Plus, she is super friendly, makes you feel completely comfortable, and genuinely cares about her clients. You can tell she loves what she does, and it shows in the quality of her work. I highly recommend!
- Kalina
The Science Behind It
If you're curious to just how and why a medical massage can help your condition or prevent injuries, continue reading below to learn more.
Circulation
Massage mechanically stimulates blood and lymph vessels, encouraging the movement of fluids throughout the body. Techniques like effleurage (gliding strokes) and petrissage (kneading) help drive venous return and lymphatic drainage. Imagine your tissue is like a giant sponge and your massage therapist is helping you to soak up all that good stuff - like fresh oxygenated blood - that you need to heal.
The Impact of Medical Massage on Circulation and The Benefits: - Enhanced oxygen and nutrient delivery Improved blood flow brings essential resources to tissues for healing and function. Essentially, massage therapy provides your body with the raw materials it needs to heal itself. The body can do AMAZING things when the gas tank is properly filled. - Faster removal of metabolic waste Boosts clearance of lactic acid and other byproducts that can cause soreness or fatigue. This has huge implications for athletes as it can vastly shorten recovery time! - Reduced swelling and inflammation Lymphatic drainage helps manage fluid balance and immune response. Remember: Inflammation is at the root of SO many acute conditions (injuries, illnesses) and chronic diseases (autoimmune, gastrointestinal, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular, etc.) which means massage can potentially have a HUGE positive impact on the symptoms associated with an unimaginably wide range of physical ailments
Muscles and Fascia
Massage applies direct pressure and movement to muscle fibers and connective tissue (fascia). This manipulation helps release adhesions, lengthen tight structures, and promote flexibility.
Every movement is a balance between stability (strength) and mobility (flexibility). There are myriad of imbalances between mobility and stability throughout your body that can lead to pain and injury due to postural imbalances. By mechanically manipulating these imbalances into different patterns, a massage therapist can re-establish BALANCE to your physical body while relieving pain and preventing injury.
The Benefits of Medical Massage for The Body's Muscles and Fascia: - Reduced muscle tension and pain Massage interrupts pain cycles and helps muscles return to their resting length. Imagine your nervous system is like a giant circuit board. A variety of different nerve receptors share the same circuit. When we are experiencing chronic pain, nociceptors (pain receptors) are sending constant signals to the brain saying “OUCH!”. Massage can stimulate mechanoreceptors (touch and pressure receptors) that interrupt the “ouch” receptors by sending a stronger and faster signal to the brain by overloading that circuit board. That momentary interruption of pain says to the brain “oh hey! Maybe it’s ok if we relax” which can literally rewrite muscle memory - Structural Changes By breaking down fascial restrictions and relaxing muscle tone, many positive structural changes can occur. Postural imbalances can be corrected which can reduce guarding and compensatory patterns that lead to pain. Improved joint and muscle mobility lead to better range of motion.
Parasympathetic
Nervous System
The simple act of receiving a massage - any massage! - stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, the 'rest, digest and heal’ system. The calm ambience of the room, tailored aromatherapy, and the gentle, rhythmic touches signal safety and relaxation to the brain allowing it to enter this crucial state.
By helping you to enter into the parasympathetic nervous state, you can improve digestion, encourage better sleep, and lead to an increased level of healing. In other words, your massage therapist helps you relax, and your body does the rest of the work itself!
Benefits of Medical Massage for the Parasympathetic Nervous System include: - Overall wellbeing Massage lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) levels and increases serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin which can lead to a reduction in stress, anxiety, and depression and increase feelings of connection, calmness, mental clarity, and energy. - Lower heart rate and blood pressure Activating the parasympathetic system slows the heart and dilates blood vessels which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and protect vital organ systems - Improved digestion, sleep, and healing