Q: Will my health insurance cover massage therapy?
A: In most cases the answer is yes. I accept most insurance plans and can verify that your plan will cover this benefit for you. Most plans cover 60%-80% of the cost with a few covering 100%. The number of annual visit can range from 10-60 one hour appointments per year.
Massage therapy can help in your recovery of many aches and pains including back pain, headaches, sprains/strains, diabetes, carpal tunnel, & tendonitis just to name a few.
After your coverage is determined and an appointment is completed, I bill your insurance for payment and then I send an invoice to you for any remaining balance not covered by your plan. The only item I need from you in a written “referral” from your doctor or chiropractor which includes what work needs to be addressed.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Massage & Workouts
Q: When is the best time to have a massage
when you are doing hard, intense workouts?
A: Great question. Most massage is given after
a person’s workout. Physical relaxation
can improve blood flow and reduce
tension . Massage can also increase
lymph flow which will reduce what
is termed delayed onset muscle soreness. Pre exercise
massage can also benefit your workout but should not
replace stretching or warming up. This type of massage
can also increase range of motion and can help identify
any problem areas you may otherwise be unaware of
(i.e. tender or sore muscles, joint pain, numbness just
to name a few). Whether you prefer pre or post exercise
massage it will benefit your performance and most
sports related massage only needs 15- 30 minutes
unless, of course, you would rather have an hour for the
post exercise massage
Eric Thanem,
CPMT, LMP
19611 7th Ave. NE • Poulsbo
360.779.3285 •
when you are doing hard, intense workouts?
A: Great question. Most massage is given after
a person’s workout. Physical relaxation
can improve blood flow and reduce
tension . Massage can also increase
lymph flow which will reduce what
is termed delayed onset muscle soreness. Pre exercise
massage can also benefit your workout but should not
replace stretching or warming up. This type of massage
can also increase range of motion and can help identify
any problem areas you may otherwise be unaware of
(i.e. tender or sore muscles, joint pain, numbness just
to name a few). Whether you prefer pre or post exercise
massage it will benefit your performance and most
sports related massage only needs 15- 30 minutes
unless, of course, you would rather have an hour for the
post exercise massage
Eric Thanem,
CPMT, LMP
19611 7th Ave. NE • Poulsbo
360.779.3285 •
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sports Massage
Q: Are massages good for sports injuries?
A: There are many benefits that can be achieved with massage for sports injuries. The benefits include improved range of motion, reduction of muscle cramps & spasms, reduction of adhesions and collagen during the healing cycle and improved tissue flexibility and muscle relaxation. In the acute stage of an injury massage can reduce edema & pain.
Massage can also reduce the chance of injury to an athlete. By receiving regular massage you can identify areas of tightness, soreness and limited range of motion. In knowing these potential underlying problems you can take steps to reduce these limitations before sustaining and injury. I work with many athletes who find massage helpful in their training routine and want to continue improving their performance, prepare for a big event and those who are workout junkies.
A: There are many benefits that can be achieved with massage for sports injuries. The benefits include improved range of motion, reduction of muscle cramps & spasms, reduction of adhesions and collagen during the healing cycle and improved tissue flexibility and muscle relaxation. In the acute stage of an injury massage can reduce edema & pain.
Massage can also reduce the chance of injury to an athlete. By receiving regular massage you can identify areas of tightness, soreness and limited range of motion. In knowing these potential underlying problems you can take steps to reduce these limitations before sustaining and injury. I work with many athletes who find massage helpful in their training routine and want to continue improving their performance, prepare for a big event and those who are workout junkies.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Q: Fibromyalgia is so painful every muscle screams 24 hours a day. I do water and floor aerobics. I have arthritis in spine and spinal stenosis. I am tired of hurting.
Loretta
A: Fibromyalgia, as you know, can be a complex disorder. I do have a few clients who also suffer from fibromyalgia and they do receive relief, although temporary, from massage and also make massage part of their therapy 1-2x each month. You sound like an active and proactive person which, I believe, is important with fibromyalgia. I would recommend you keep active in varying ways (i.e. walking, stretching etc) so that you utilize as many areas of your body that you are able.
Loretta
A: Fibromyalgia, as you know, can be a complex disorder. I do have a few clients who also suffer from fibromyalgia and they do receive relief, although temporary, from massage and also make massage part of their therapy 1-2x each month. You sound like an active and proactive person which, I believe, is important with fibromyalgia. I would recommend you keep active in varying ways (i.e. walking, stretching etc) so that you utilize as many areas of your body that you are able.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Hot Stone Massage
Q: What is the benefit of Hot Stone Massage? Patty
A: The benefits can be many but here are some of the most common benefits of hot stone massage. Heat from the stones can relieve the pain associated with arthritis, create a calming effect on the nervous system, increase circulation of the blood and relieve muscle tension. If a person is uneasy with having a touch this can be a wonderful way to introduce them to massage.
There are some precautions to consider also. If you are experiencing inflammation the heat from the stones with increase this, if you have sensitive skin, if you have heart or circulation problems discuss with your therapist. Hot stone is not recommended for children, pregnant or menopausal women.
I would encourage you to try hot stone massage and enjoy all the benefits it can bring. I have received hot stone massage myself and found it very relaxing and a great treat for myself when the weather is cold!
A: The benefits can be many but here are some of the most common benefits of hot stone massage. Heat from the stones can relieve the pain associated with arthritis, create a calming effect on the nervous system, increase circulation of the blood and relieve muscle tension. If a person is uneasy with having a touch this can be a wonderful way to introduce them to massage.
There are some precautions to consider also. If you are experiencing inflammation the heat from the stones with increase this, if you have sensitive skin, if you have heart or circulation problems discuss with your therapist. Hot stone is not recommended for children, pregnant or menopausal women.
I would encourage you to try hot stone massage and enjoy all the benefits it can bring. I have received hot stone massage myself and found it very relaxing and a great treat for myself when the weather is cold!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Questions & Answers about Massage
Q: I am training for my first marathon. What can massage do for me? S. Becker
A: How exciting for you, your first marathon! Whenever you are training for a big event massage can give you many benefits to keep you on track during your training. When you train for such a big endeavor you tend to push yourself beyond what your body is used to and this can create greater stress on your legs, hips, back, ankles, feet just to name a few. Receiving regular massage can help identify potential problem areas before they have a negative effect on your training. Your massage therapist might find a tight spot in your hamstring, for instance, that you may not have been aware of until it became painful. At this point the hamstring issue becomes minimal because the therapist works it out and you are aware so you can be sure to spend extra time stretching or icing it. Massage also helps clear out metabolic waste from the muscles which help the entire body function better. Massage will also reduce delay onset muscle soreness, which can occur up to 48 hours after a workout. Reducing muscles soreness will increase the quality of your training by keeping your body in less pain.
Massage during your training may include some deep work to give the muscles and joints greater freedom of movement but it will also include relaxing techniques to help you feel at your calm and focused. You do need to avoid and deep massage 2-3 days before your race simply because you don’t want to make any changes, to what you have train your body to do, that close to race time.
Send me any of your question about massage!
A: How exciting for you, your first marathon! Whenever you are training for a big event massage can give you many benefits to keep you on track during your training. When you train for such a big endeavor you tend to push yourself beyond what your body is used to and this can create greater stress on your legs, hips, back, ankles, feet just to name a few. Receiving regular massage can help identify potential problem areas before they have a negative effect on your training. Your massage therapist might find a tight spot in your hamstring, for instance, that you may not have been aware of until it became painful. At this point the hamstring issue becomes minimal because the therapist works it out and you are aware so you can be sure to spend extra time stretching or icing it. Massage also helps clear out metabolic waste from the muscles which help the entire body function better. Massage will also reduce delay onset muscle soreness, which can occur up to 48 hours after a workout. Reducing muscles soreness will increase the quality of your training by keeping your body in less pain.
Massage during your training may include some deep work to give the muscles and joints greater freedom of movement but it will also include relaxing techniques to help you feel at your calm and focused. You do need to avoid and deep massage 2-3 days before your race simply because you don’t want to make any changes, to what you have train your body to do, that close to race time.
Send me any of your question about massage!
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