Many people with physical pain have endured the disappointment that comes with seeing one health practitioner after another without getting more than perhaps temporary relief. If you've just heard about a massage therapist who gets rave reviews from people you know and you hope that he or she will be the one to help you live a pain-free life, it's in your best interest to get involved in your deep-tissue treatment by asking as many questions as you need to truly understand your physical issue. If this massage therapist can help to a degree but refers you to a colleague who specializes in your issue, you can provide him or her with what information you know. Here are some things to ask.

What Is The Likely Cause?

Massage therapists won't specifically diagnose your physical issues, as they aren't doctors. However, you should ask your therapist about what he or she believes is causing your pain. Though not an official diagnosis, the massage therapist can indicate what he or she believes is going on. For example, if your health complaint in pain in your lower back and you've told your massage therapist that you sit for eight hours a day, he or she may surmise that poor posture is likely to blame.

What Tests Support Your Assessment?

During your initial assessment, your massage therapist will put you through some physical tests to help determine the likely reason for your pain, as well as its severity. These tests can be effective for not only figuring out the likely reason for your pain, but also ruling out physical issues that aren't to blame. For example, if you complain of back pain, your therapist may put you through a series of stretches that can help to isolate the area that is causing your discomfort.

What Type Of Treatment Will You Use?

Upon assessing your pain, your massage therapist will develop a treatment plan to help you. It's useful to ask about the therapist's specific approach to working on your body. For example, a therapist may advocate the use of heat to loosen some of your tight muscle groups, and then employ petrissage — a specific kneading technique that massage therapists commonly use — to reduce restrictions in the muscles that are contributing to your discomfort. You should also get a sense of how much treatment is likely needed; any reputable massage therapist should give you an estimate. Armed with all this information, you'll have more of an understanding of your pain and its treatment.

Get in touch with a business like MASSAGE TJ SPA for more information.