Therapeutic (Medical) Massage

Massage is a treatment method that creates physiological and psychological effects in the body by mechanically stimulating soft tissues. Therapeutic, or medical massage, activates the body’s natural ability to renew or heal itself. It helps maintain physical condition, increases muscle tone, promotes relaxation, stimulates circulation, provides therapeutic effects on the cardiovascular and nervous systems, and balances the interaction between all body systems. Additionally, it increases endorphin levels, which help reduce pain, and has positive effects on autonomic nervous system responses.

Medical Applications of Therapeutic Massage:

• Therapeutic massage has a broad range of applications in medicine, including:
• Myofascial pain and regional muscle pain (especially neck, back, lower back, and headaches, commonly seen in office workers)
• Functional insufficiencies in muscles, active and passive strains
• Arthrosis and joint calcification
• Fibromyalgia and soft tissue rheumatism
• Cellulite treatment
• Treatment of localized edema
• Headaches (neck and facial massage)
• Scoliosis and other posture disorders
• Sleep disorders
• Psychological issues such as stress, anxiety disorders, and depression

As a part of rehabilitation and complementary medical treatments, a person’s health should be evaluated by a specialist doctor before starting massage therapy to select an appropriate massage technique. Medical massage can be combined with other physical therapy methods when necessary, but it is often accompanied by individualized exercise programs. Regular massages along the spine before or after exercise can contribute to easier movements and pain relief. Therapeutic massage is also safely applied to pregnant women experiencing back, lower back, and foot pain. Regular massage improves general health, provides relaxation, reduces muscle tension, alleviates anxiety and stress, helps maintain health in healthy individuals, and preserves the balance of body-mind-spirit health.

A full-body massage should last 30-45 minutes, while localized massages can be applied for 15-20 minutes, depending on the type and indication of the massage required by the patient. The frequency of treatment may vary according to pathological findings in the tissues, the patient's overall health, and their response to therapy. For those with complaints such as back, neck, and headache, particularly office workers, and in cases of lymphedema, daily massages can be performed until results are achieved. For general full-body massage, 1-2 sessions per week are sufficient.

Oncology Massage as a Subset of Therapeutic Massage:

In addition to the conditions mentioned above, “oncology massage,” a recognized subset of therapeutic (medical) massage, is used as a complementary therapy to improve quality of life for cancer patients before, during, and after oncology treatment. It helps alleviate side effects during this challenging treatment process.

When starting massage therapy for these patients, attention must be given to simple yet critical aspects, such as the possibility of removed lymph nodes, radiation therapy, or bone metastasis. Therefore, a preliminary assessment by a physical therapy and rehabilitation specialist should be conducted before therapy to determine the appropriate massage technique and specific considerations. Oncology massage, now integrated into treatments in many hospitals and institutes, has been shown through scientific studies to offer the following benefits:

Benefits of Oncology Massage:

• Reduces anxiety
• Regulates sleep and reduces fatigue
• Reduces nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy. Studies have shown that massage using acupressure (applying pressure to acupuncture points) can alleviate nausea and vomiting, thus reducing treatment costs.
• Relieves pain. Patients undergoing massage therapy report a reduction in acute pain.
• At Anadolu Medical Center, massage treatments are tailored to the individual, using a variety of techniques such as classic massage, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, acupressure (massage at acupuncture points), reflexology, and aromatherapy. These techniques are combined in different ways based on the specialist doctor’s guidance and the patient’s needs.

Types of Massage:

Classic Massage

Classic massage is the most commonly used therapeutic (medical) massage. It is a traditional Western massage that involves various manipulation techniques applied by hand to the superficial muscle masses, following the direction of blood flow towards the heart.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is a completely natural method that involves using essential oils through massage, vapor, or similar methods to penetrate the body, taking advantage of their chemical composition and the energy they provide to support the healing process. Aromatherapy is a therapy that treats both physical problems and emotional issues caused by stress, viewing the mind and body as a whole.

Ayurveda

Originating in India, Ayurveda is a traditional medical system practiced worldwide today. Ayurvedic massage is just a part of this holistic healing system. In this treatment, the person's Ayurvedic body type (dosha) is identified, and different herbal oils are used accordingly to determine the type of massage to be applied. Unlike classic massage, which targets the muscles, Ayurvedic massage focuses on the overall system. Typically, warm sesame oil and various herbal oil mixtures are used.

Reflexology

Reflexology is a technique that applies pressure to specific points on the feet, hands, and ears. It is most commonly applied to the feet, as they contain many nerve endings and are highly sensitive. Reflex areas and reference points related to internal organs (brain, liver, lungs, etc.), endocrine glands, and the musculoskeletal system are found on the feet. When pressure and massage are applied to these points, blockages in the corresponding organs are cleared, and energy flow is restored. Reflexology can be applied to people of all ages, from young children to the elderly. Healthy individuals can also receive regular reflexology sessions to maintain their health and prevent potential diseases.

Peloid Therapy

Peloid (medicinal mud) refers to mud rich in minerals and/or organic content used for therapeutic purposes. Peloid therapy is the treatment applied with this medicinal mud. In this therapy, warm or cold peloid is applied to the targeted area. Peloid therapy can be used for degenerative joint diseases (such as osteoarthritis), fibromyalgia syndrome, back and neck pain, and during the post-traumatic recovery process.