What to expect for your Medical Massage Protocol

What are Science of Massage Institute (SOMI) Medical Massage Protocols and what does it entail for the Massage Therapy client?

The protocols for the condition you will be receiving have been developed by the Western School of Massage in primarily Eastern Europe over the course of decades beginning in the early 1900s.  These protocols, incorporating the muscular and fascial system,  were scientifically developed by universities and medical doctors as part of their comprehensive health care practice.   

In the United States, unfortunately, they have been largely omitted due to medical doctors not receiving training in the myofascial field of health care due to the influence of the pharmaceutical companies lobbying to take massage out of the curriculum of medical doctors and physical therapists.  Spa massage and different mostly singular modalities have gained popularity in an attempt to treat the muscular and facial systems.   (i.e., deep tissue, swedish, structural integration....)

Dr. Ross Turchaninov, is a medical doctor from Ukraine with a specialization in trauma surgery and post traumatic rehabilitation.  As an MD, he was formally trained in medical massage and offers professional training for health care practitioners in these protocols. I recommend you view his You Tube video channel to learn more about distinguishing medical massage from the spa massage that is practiced commonly today in the United States.

https://www.youtube.com/@dr.ross.medicalmassage

SOMI (Science of Massage Institute) integrates many clinically proven techniques into it’s protocols. This creates a comprehensive treatment plan which includes all layers of the skin, connective tissue, superficial and deep fascia, superficial and deep muscle and periosteum.   

What to expect in your Medical Massage protocol:

1.  You will present a detailed history of your health condition and we will determine if medical massage is something that could benefit you.  We will rule out any other possible contributing factors by analysis of prior and present diagnosis.  I will conduct research and an analysis to determine the best possible protocols to utilize and in which order.  We will collaborate with your existing health care practitioners and obtain approval from them to proceed., especially in complex cases with visceral components.

2.  We will perform a hands on testing exam which will include testing muscle and joint strength imbalances; range of motion tests ; nervous system dermatomes tests;  light compression and spinal vertebral column tests; cutaneous reflex zone tests and trigger point tests.

3.  The core treatment of your condition, all in a prescribed manner, will include:

Classical massage; kneading, traction, percussion, effleurage, vibration

Decompression of soft tissues

Lymphatic drainage massage

Connective tissue massage

Trigger point therapy

Periostal massage

Passive and active stretching

4.  We will check the results as we proceed and adjust treatment protocols accordingly.

5.  You will be assigned stretches and possibly other measures to implement on your own.  50% of our success will depend on your doing your part of the treatment plan. You will be encouraged to body scan and notice differences in how you feel and report at each session.  The treatment plan and research on your condition will be conducted on an ongoing basis.  The recommendation for 2 – 3 days of treatment per week is temporary until stable clinical results are achieved. Some conditions only need 3 -5 treatments.  More chronic or involved conditions can require more.

Thank you for considering to allow me to offer SOMI treatment protocols to you.  I am confident that they could help you recover from your condition in a way that achieves stable clinical results for the long term.  

Cost

I offer a complimentary 30 minute consultation by phone or in person

A comprehensive evaluation will take place at the first appointment and can last up to two hours.

An individual treatment plan will be set up at $50 per half hour

(some protocols are only 30 minutes)

Below is a link to the Clinical Interview Form which we will fill out together during our first hour.  I will have a printed copy ready for us.  This is to prepare you for what we will be discussing.