It is increasingly being offered as an alternative to traditional treatments for a wide range of medical conditions and situations. Massage therapy can help reduce muscle pain and tension, as well as alleviate pain and anxiety for people with chronic illnesses such as cancer. It can also help reduce the physiological effects of stress. Conditions that massage therapy can help treat include stress-related stress, cancer-related fatigue, sleep disorders, high blood pressure, diabetes, low back pain, and depression. If you are considering massage therapy, Segall recommends wearing loose-fitting clothing or sportswear to the appointment.
It is important to note that massage therapy is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for advice from your doctor or other healthcare provider. The first step in evaluation and treatment at the Osher Center is a comprehensive medicine practice, where you meet with a board-certified physician. Doctor of Chiropractic Linda Elyad also spoke positively about the Medical Breakthrough model. If doctors were to observe some of the conversations in massage therapy Facebook groups, they would likely not take us seriously enough to refer a patient to any of us.
