Massage Therapy In Kansas City, MO
Find Relief Through Therapeutic Massage in Kansas City, MO
If you’re an athlete, former athlete, or just an active individual between the ages of 18-55 looking to maintain an active lifestyle, you likely understand the toll this can take on your body. Constant muscle tension, stiffness, soreness, and even injuries can make it difficult to perform at your best physically and mentally. But what if there was a way to help alleviate these issues through non-invasive, drug-free therapy focused on enhancing muscle recovery, increasing flexibility, reducing pain, and promoting overall wellness? At Vital Six Physical Therapy and Performance, our massage therapy services do just that.
A Therapeutic Approach to Massage in Kansas City, MO
Simply put, massage therapy involves manually manipulating the body’s soft tissues and muscles. But our massage services are so much more than relaxation. We take a clinical, therapeutic approach to massage by developing customized treatment plans aimed at satisfying the unique needs of active individuals like you. This isn’t a day spa massage. Our massage therapists are trained professionals acting as extensions of our physical therapy services. They use techniques like compression, trigger point therapy, joint mobilization, stretching, and Swedish massage to address specific problem areas linked to dysfunction, overuse, repetitive strain, posture imbalance, injury recovery, and more.
Sessions are one-on-one with your designated massage therapist working closely with you to understand your health history, problem areas, pain points, and wellness goals to create the best treatment plan. You can expect a blend of clinical precision and healing touch focused directly on your needs. The beauty of massage therapy is that it offers wide-ranging whole body benefits above basic relaxation. Keep reading to understand how our massage services can help you specifically.
Key Benefits of Our Massage Therapy
Therapeutic massage provides measurable results you can feel directly correlated to improved function for active lifestyles. Benefits our patients experience include:
1. Targeted Pain and Muscle Tension Relief
Our massage therapists have advanced understanding of anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and kinesiology. They use this knowledge to directly target and loosen chronically tight, fatigued muscles causing tension headaches, lower back pain, neck stiffness, sciatic nerve pain, and various other activity-induced aches. Sessions involve tissue manipulation to increase blood flow and circulation to areas of tension and adhesions. This boosts oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscle cells while flushing out inflammatory waste products exacerbating discomfort. The result is direct, lasting pain relief.
2. Enhanced Relaxation and Stress Management
Massage therapy has proven effects reducing cortisol, adrenaline, heart rate, and other stress markers while triggering the release of endorphins and serotonin, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. The quiet environment, soothing touch, music, and intentional breathing shift the nervous system into a parasympathetic “rest and digest” state counteracting the strains of busy, active lifestyles. This leads to decreased anxiety, easier stress management, improved sleep, and a better overall mood between massage sessions.
3. Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion
Our massage techniques gently lengthen connective tissues and work through adhesions while mobilizing joints through passive range of motion movements. This progressively restores mobility and flexibility lost to repetitive use, poor posture, past injury, and inactivity.
You’ll notice improved extension and rotation as tissues elongate along with an easier time activating and isolating muscle groups during activity. This makes movement more fluid, efficient, and enjoyable while also preventing future wear and tear.
4. Potential Immune System Support and Detoxification
The lymphatic system relies on oxygenation and movement to filter waste and distribute immune cells throughout the body. Massage can boost lymphatic drainage by increasing circulation and soft tissue compression. Some clinical studies have found massage may support immune function and aid detoxification.
Working with Dr Jason has given me the confidence to continue my activities without having to go through surgery. In my very first meeting with Dr Jason, he noticed that the way I walk caused much of the inflammation in my knee. Changing the way you walk is not easy and every step is a thought process! Consequently, my knee is much less swollen, much less painful and my squat form and depth has improved dramatically. I have learned that Dr Jason’s practice of physical therapy stems from pain management and hopefully prevention of injuries with the knowledge of what you can do. Limitations in life are inevitable but with the right treatment, they can be sidelined! Of course, this all takes time and patience and Dr Jason has plenty for his patients.
Jason made me realize I don’t have to live with pain. He gave me a detailed program and worked with me to strengthen my injured foot. He took time to answer all my questions and make sure I understood the purpose of each exercise I was doing. He helped me safely return to the sport I love and the injured area feels stronger than before. His kind manner and great sense of humor helped me enjoy the process of recovery. I would recommend him to anyone that needs help with pain or an injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly does a massage therapist do?
Our massage therapists perform hands-on soft tissue and muscle manipulation using a variety of clinical techniques tailored to your treatment plan. Massage has a wide array of therapeutic benefits beyond basic relaxation.
What does massage therapy treat?
Our massage services treat muscle tightness, adhesions, scar tissue, spasms, pain, limited mobility/flexibility, headaches, sports injuries, chronic conditions, and more. The goal is restoring proper soft tissue function to get you moving comfortably.
Is massage therapy good for your body?
Absolutely! Massage promotes circulation, delivers oxygen/nutrients to tissues, flushes inflammatory waste products, supports immunity and detoxification, manages stress, relieves pain, and encourages relaxation. It’s incredibly beneficial.
What is the difference between massage and physical therapy?
Massage and PT are complementary therapies with some overlap in techniques and benefits. But massage focuses specifically on hands-on soft tissue and muscle manipulation for pain relief and flexibility. PT is more focused on data-driven movement assessment/correction.
Your Massage Therapist Dr. Emily Gilmore, PT, DPT, OCS
Our staff includes multi-disciplinary rehabilitation experts along with licensed massage therapists to give you an integrative care experience. Your massage therapist will be: Dr. Emily Gilmore with years of experience in the industry.
Start Healing Today
If you’re ready to alleviate aches, pains and stiffness to get back to comfortably enjoying the active lifestyle you love through therapeutic massage, we’re here to help. Contact us or stop into Vital Six Physical Therapy and Performance to schedule your initial assessment and massage therapy. Our compassionate, knowledgeable team can’t wait to start unlocking your body’s full movement potential.
About The Author
Imagine overcoming limitations and regaining your physical strength. Dr. Jason Gearhart, a licensed Physical Therapist in Sports Rehab and Physical Therapy, has helped countless individuals like you do just that. Practicing at Vital Six Physical Therapy and Performance in Kansas City, MO, Dr. Jason Gearhart believes in tailored care and utilizes innovative techniques to create unique solutions for each patient’s journey.