Medical massage is offered in our highly progressive and skilled rehabilitation clinic. Medical massage therapists are an integral part of a collaborative health care team that are skilled in techniques that emphasize treating specific conditions or diagnosis with the goal to rehabilitate towards a specific outcome as well as facilitate patients to meet their goals.
Medically trained massage therapists work directly with patients who have undergone orthopedic surgical procedures, are rehabilitating from traumatic and acute injuries and /or have been diagnosed with chronic conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, lymphedema, migraine headache and the like.
Targeted injury site massage helps soft tissue injuries heal faster. Soft tissue injuries include muscle pulls, ligament sprains, tendonitis and whiplash. In addition, injury site massage reduces spasm, pain, swelling and the formation of scar tissue. Injury site massage targets the breakup of excess scar tissue and adhesions that weaken muscles and can contribute to further injury. It also increases circulation bringing needed nutrients to the area and removing waste products from the healing process.
Manual lymph drainage (MLD) is a specialized massage technique performed by a certified MLD therapist. An MLD therapist applies this gentle form of massage to encourage the natural drainage of the lymph from the tissues. Lymph is a mostly clear fluid that absorbs fats and delivers nutrients to the cells of the body. It also aids the immune system in removing and destroying waste, debris, dead blood cells, pathogens, toxins and cancer cells. Lymph nodes help to filter out these substances.
MLD uses a specific amount of pressure and rhythmic circular movements to stimulate lymph flow. This type of massage is generally recommended for those diagnosed with lymphedema and used to support and enhance their lymphedema therapy. However, MLD is beneficial for anyone wishing to boost lymphatic flow, such as those overcoming a sickness or recovering from a surgery or liposuction.
Sports massage focuses on muscles relevant to the event as well as on recovery from strenuous or excessive activity. Sports massage reduces pain, minimizes recovery time and increases range of motion and overall performance. For athletes who train continuously, the goal is to enhance endurance, lessen the chance of injury and shorten the time needed to recover from an event. Prior to an athletic event, sports massage may be used with stretching in order to help athletes to loosen, warm and prepare their muscles so that their performance and endurance might be enhanced. Following an athletic event, sports massage may be used to relieve pain, prevent stiffness and return the muscles back to their normal state. Sports massage may also be used for injury rehabilitation.
Thaiatsu is a unique massage experience and a perfect alternative or complimentary therapy to traditional Swedish massage. It is very therapeutic for those who are seeking to incorporate movement and stretching into their bodywork. Thaiatsu combines the best of three holistic body work practices: the yoga stretching techniques of Thai massage along with palm and thumb pressure for chi/energy balancing of shiatsu and reflexology. Thaiatsu aims to reduce musculoskeletal tension, improve circulation and to create a relaxed and restored sense of wellness.
Massage therapy is offered to patients as well as the general public.
The Prices have been updated as of May 1, 2013
| Sessions | Cost |
|---|---|
| Chair massage: 15 minutes | $15 |
| 30 minute sessions | $35 |
| 60 minute sessions | $60 |
| 90 minute sessions | $75 |
*University of Utah employees receive a $5 discount on all sessions.
**We do not bill insurance for these services. Payment is required at the time of appointment.
Corinne graduated from the University of Utah in 2004 with a degree in political science and from the Utah College of Massage Therapy in 2005. In 2011, she graduated from Norton's School of Lymphatic Therapy to become a Certified Lymphedema Therapist. She has also pursued further education in orthopaedic massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy and scar tissue release. She has been with the Orthopaedic Center team since 2009. In her free time, she loves being in the mountains and practicing Taekwon-Do with her husband.
Liz graduated from Myotherapy College of Utah in 1996. She started out working as the head therapist for Cedar Breaks Day Spa and Inner Harmony Yoga Retreat Center in Brianhead, Utah. Since then her experience has branched out to a private practice where she had a clientele of professional athletes alongside chiropractors and other medical professionals. Liz started instructing work shops, teaching and writing curriculums for massage schools in 1999. Most recently, Liz was the owner and operator of Pura Vida College of Massage Therapy. She enjoys hiking, biking, skiing and spending time with her family.
Shereen has been a full time a licensed massage therapist since 1992, where she earned her certification at the Utah College of Massage Therapy in Salt Lake City, Utah. Shereen joined the University of Utah Hospital in 1999 where she was the first licensed massage therapist on staff. Her expertise in rehabilitative and orthopedic massage practices come from providing therapy to patients at the University of Utah Hospital and clinics, including the University Orthopaedic Center, Huntsman Cancer Hospital and outpatient physical therapy settings since her certification. Shereen has a passion for her work and is continually inspired to research, inquire and learn in order to expand her knowledge to provide the best care possible for her patients. She spends her free time on her road bike.
Rubbing areas that hurt is a natural human response. Even other mammals do this. Massage is based on the same principle of rubbing and manipulating muscles.
Massage is found to be helpful both physically and emotionally. The rubbing not only soothes sore muscles but the mind as well.
Massage therapy has been found to assist in the treatment of:
Back pain
Anxiety
High blood pressure
Migraine headache
Carpal tunnel symptoms
Postoperative pain
Side effects of cancer and cancer therapy
Massaging muscles and soft tissue stimulates nerves, increases blood flow and relieves stress in the muscles. Over the centuries, many massage techniques have developed including:
Swedish massage. This massage technique involves the use of long, smooth strokes, strokes that knead and compress, deep circular movements, vibration and tapping.
Oriental massage. This technique is very gentle and relaxes a person.
Shiatsu. This Japanese form of massaging is actually a form of acupressure, exerting massaging pressure on certain key points of the body.
Thai massage. This massage technique also involves the use of yoga and certain Chinese traditional medicine methods.
Massages are usually given in a quiet room, with soothing background music. A person usually lies down on a special massage table or in a special massage chair called seated massage. Massage uses a group of manual techniques, consisting of both fixed and moveable pressure.
In 43 states and the District of Columbia massage therapy is regulated by law with specific guidelines. The National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB) has set up standards of practice and also administers a national certification examination. It is used in 38 of those states and the District of Columbia as a requirement to practice.
In order to become nationally certified to practice massage therapy, a practitioner must:
Complete a minimum of 500 hours of instruction
Demonstrate mastery of core skills, abilities, and knowledge
Pass a standardized NCBTMB exam
Uphold NCBTMB's Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics
| University Orthopaedic Center | 590 Wakara Way Salt Lake City, UT 84108 Map |
801-587-7109 |
| South Jordan Health Center | 5126 W. Daybreak Parkway South Jordan, UT 84095 Map |
801-213-4500 |
