Medical massage therapy may be able to help your body heal itself faster, and also without as much pain medication. Doctors are more and more willing to prescribe massage therapy instead of prescription medication for their patients.

That means it is not exactly like the type of body rubs you may schedule at a day spa, hotel, or cruise ship. Those are great, and they can relieve pain and help you relax. But to earn the term, medical, it must be prescribed to treat a specific health issue. The therapist will only work on that issue, which usually means that he or she will treat the part of a body which is afflicted.

Some people get relief from one treatment. Some patients may need repeated visits to really feel better. The point of the treatment, like many medical treatments, is to get your body's own natural healing ability to work better. The massage sessions can help relax tight muscles, remove blockages, and get blood to circulate better.

Medical doctors are getting on board. They are more likely to write a prescription for medical massage now. This could be to supplement a prescription medicine, or it could be in place of one.

Sometimes this treatment is prescribed to alleviate pain from a chronic illness. It can be used, in some cases, to speed healing from injuries and trauma. In any case, the treatment has been prescribed to treat certain issues, and it will be directed at that treatment.

Some examples of disease or injury could be to relieve pain from a slipped disk, pregnancy, or auto accident. It may also be used to relieve edema or constipation. Others who have lost some range of motion in their limbs may find it helps them too. Some diseases which cause muscle or joint pain may also be relieved with this type of treatment.

A variety of people have reported very positive results from a session with a medical massage therapist. They also report an increased feeling of well being. Some find they do not need prescription drugs, or they do not need to use as much to feel better.

Since this is a medical treatment rather than just something to relax, you may wonder if your health insurance company will cover it. Your health insurance company may actually pay for some prescribed medical massage therapy. It would be wise to be certain that your insurer covers massage therapy. Then you need to make sure that the actual therapist works with your insurer. Some plans, like HMO or PPO health insurance, may only cover the therapy if you use on of their network providers.

To be sure you are covered, you can call your insurer. Then call the therapists office to be sure they are on your insurer network. It will probably be in your best interest to make sure your insurance will pay for the treatment before you have it.