CHARLOTTE – A popular type of massage is that utilizes orthopedic assessment. One of my instructors has said that unless you assess the issue and find the exact muscle or group of muscles that are problematic, then you’re wasting your time.

Orthopedic assessment is where your therapist will take the information you provide and applying the info along with muscle testing, helping to pinpoint exactly what muscles could be causing your issues. For example, a common issue is shoulder impingement. My shoulders sometimes feel as if I’ve thrown a hundred baseballs in a row – sore and they ache. Therefore, if I do a motion such as throwing a ball and it feels uncomfortable, then I’ll ask my therapist to assess this action and use it to define what musculature needs work.

If you present this type of issue as my client, I would check the rotator cuff muscles first. I’ll check each muscle group and find which attachments are tender. Using the tenderness as a guide,  I’ll ask you to perform a few actions using those muscles separately and will provide some resistance with each action.

The great thing about this more precise type of massage is that it pinpoints the issue and efficiently tells your therapist where to begin with treatment. Perhaps it’s only a start, as sometimes easing the discomfort of one muscle might bring forth an issue with another muscle, but it’s very helpful.

Ask your massage therapist if they provide an orthopedic assessment, and what they recommend.