Spa massage and medical massage may seem similar, but their techniques are different. During a spa massage, techniques are likely to focus on relaxation. A medical massage therapist will use a broader set of therapies for muscle health and recovery. The main difference between a medical massage and a regular massage is that they pursue the cause, not just treat the symptom.
Treating the symptom is just putting on a band-aid. The work of a medical massage therapist differs from that of a general massage therapist. Medical massage therapists have advanced training and experience that allows them to provide care focused on healing injuries, improving function, or increasing circulation. They usually work in hospitals or clinics, can take orders from a doctor about the type of massage treatment they should give their patients, and can even pay for them through the patient's health insurance.
