Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can help lessen pain by relieving tension and sore muscles. It can also improve circulation, lower your heart rate and blood pressure and some research suggests that it may even help your immune system work better. It can also help reduce stress, increase your energy level and even make you more alert.

When you come for your therapy session, you’ll meet with your massage therapist in a dimly lit room with gentle, soothing music playing in the background. Each session lasts a little less than an hour. Depending on the focus area of the massage and your level of comfort, you may be asked to remove specific articles of clothing or leave them on. Your massage therapist may also drape sheets over you to keep you covered as they work on you.

And depending on your personal goals for therapy, your massage therapist may use several different techniques and pressure combinations to manipulate the tissues of your body — always in a compassionate and respectful way. It’s important to remember that during treatment, if you ever feel pain that causes you discomfort, you should tell your therapist right away.

Types of Massage Therapy at Cleveland Clinic

We offer many types of massage therapy at Cleveland Clinic. In any given session, we might focus on one specific type of massage, or we might combine different types for a holistic approach to therapy. Some of the types of massage we offer include:

• Swedish massage: A classic go-to therapy for achieving peak relaxation, Swedish massage is perfect if you’re new to massage therapy. It can help relieve stress, relax and energize you.
• Deep tissue massage: This type of massage therapy digs a little deeper, focusing on the pressure that builds up in your most-used muscles and tendons. When you feel too stiff or tight, or your range of motion isn’t what it should be, this therapy can be helpful.
• Sports massage: When you’ve over-extended an arm or leg or have a sports-related injury, this deep tissue massage can zero in and help relieve pressure and pain in the areas of your body that have taken a beating.
• Trigger point massage: Do you have chronic pain, pressure buildup in your back or a knot in your neck? This massage uses focused and direct pressure to relieve muscle spasms and tight spots in tissue.
• Myofascial release: Similar to trigger point massage but covering a wider surface area, this massage therapy kneads, stretches and works the web of connective tissue under your skin (fascia) in an effort to loosen up the tightness you’re feeling in your neck, shoulders and upper or lower back.
• Prenatal massage: This form of massage therapy is safe for pregnant women and focuses on any aches and pains you might have during pregnancy. Specifically, it can help with swelling in your feet and legs and help take pressure off your hips.
• Lymphatic drainage massage: Also known as manual lymphatic drainage, this gentle massage helps relieve painful swelling in your arms and legs from lymphedema. Lymphedema often happens after breast cancer surgery.

• Vickie Bodner, LMT
• Nicole Cvitkovic, LMT
• DeBorah Hill, LMT
• Ryan Wiebusch, LMT
• Yelena Yefremenk, LMT
• Mark Johnson, LMT
• Tori Harsha, LMT

We provide massage therapy for all kinds of chronic conditions, for injuries that happen unexpectedly and for physical problems resulting from stress or anxiety. Massage therapy might help if you have:

• Repetitive strain injuries like carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Migraines, tension headaches and sinus headaches.
• Whiplash or neck pain.
• Muscle strains and sprains.
• Tendonitis.
• Tennis elbow.
• Frozen shoulder.
• Osteoarthritis.
• Menstrual cramps.
• Constipation.
• Low or upper back pain.
• Radiating pain.
• Cancer pain.
• Post-surgery pain and scar tissue.
• Autoimmune diseases.

We might also offer shorter massage therapy sessions as an extended part of physical therapy, chiropractic and other treatments.

Taking the Next Step

If your muscles ache, you have chronic pain, are recovering from an illness or are feeling stressed, having massage therapy might play a big part in getting you on the path to feeling better. It’s a great tool to promote healing, relieve pain and help you feel more relaxed. And with so many different types of massage therapies available at Cleveland Clinic, you’re sure to find one that supports your needs and helps you achieve your wellness goals.