Orthopedic Massage Therapy is combining science and intuition to expand a persons continuum of care options. Orthopedic Massage focuses on a holistic and comprehensive method of practicing massage therapy and combines many of massage therapies most effective techniques to treating soft tissue dysfunction. Key components include skilled assessment, specific treatment (based on the assessment) and providing education to the client. Practitioners also combine the intuitive aspects of massage therapy to know how to modify their approach to achieve positive outcomes. Intuition assists us in many ways, such as - sensing subtle, and sometimes not subtle changes and indicators that the massage recipient is giving, which may including; muscle guarding & changes in respiration. Clients do not need a referral to be seen by an Orthopedic Massage Therapist, however, it is always recommended that if high pain, disease or injury is involved - that the proper Medical Practitioner has been seen first and all appropriate tests have been done to confirm that Orthopedic Massage Therapy is not contraindicated. Orthopedic Massage Therapy can in many cases be integrated into many treatment plans to work in conjunction with your Doctor, Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Chiropractor and other Health Care Practitioners.