When you have tense muscles, you have a few options to relieve the tension and pain. You could try some stretches, different sitting positions, or book a massage. While a massage can make you feel much better, the effects usually only last for so long - you’ll be tense again within a week or so. Plus, massage therapists can have different certifications depending on where you go. How do you know who to trust? And when you need a tailored approach for a specific issue, how do you know the massage you book will address everything you need?
A massage can be great if you need a full-body treatment, but for specific areas, a physical therapist can use their background to ensure you get the relief you need. We created our BodyWork program at EW Motion Therapy for this specific purpose - we perform routine maintenance on problem areas so you can continue to recover well and move at your best. Even though a massage can be more affordable than a BodyWork session, we want to present our program as an individualized solution worth the cost.
This article discusses how EW BodyWork differs from a massage, the program’s main benefits, and whether it is right for you. With this information, you can find the best solution to relieve your pain and tension.
How is EW BodyWork different from a massage?
Our BodyWork program differs from a massage in a few ways. First, as we mentioned, each BodyWork session is done by a licensed doctor of physical therapy. With their knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, they can focus all their attention on your specific problem areas and provide the exact manual treatment you need. If you go in for a massage with tension in your shoulders, the massage therapist will work on your shoulders, but they may take a more global approach and work on your entire body. But in a BodyWork session, if needed, your physical therapist will focus exclusively on your shoulders to ensure you get the relief you need.
Additionally, physical therapists can combine many different massage techniques besides manual therapy to give a thorough treatment. You could get a Swedish massage elsewhere, but a physical therapist can combine Swedish, deep tissue, and trigger point massage with the manual therapy and myofascial release techniques you get during physical therapy sessions. While a massage might be a more relaxing experience, with candles and aromatherapy, our BodyWork sessions are a medical approach with hands-on techniques from a doctor. The solution you choose is up to you.
Why did we create BodyWork?
Before we created our BodyWork program, we had clients who did not necessarily need physical therapy anymore but would still want touch-ups from time to time. For example, we had a retired golfer who still played multiple times a week whose hips would occasionally flare up. Those clients had gone to other clinics or had gotten massages but missed the skilled hands-on approach our physical therapists have.
To fill this gap, our BodyWork program came to be a self-pay form of soft tissue treatment that did not require a doctor’s referral. Through BodyWork sessions, clients can enjoy our manual-based approach and continue to work toward their functional goals when physical therapy has done all it can do.
Is BodyWork right for me?
Now you know more about BodyWork and some of the benefits the program can bring. Anyone of any age or activity level can benefit from a BodyWork session because it is individualized - we have treated everyone from nine-year-old children to grandparents. The schedule of when to begin is up to you, since it is a self-pay service. We typically have clients come in weekly at first, then begin to come in less frequently over time. The costs can build up, so be sure to investigate your options to ensure you are making the best investment for yourself.
Chronic inflammation and muscle imbalance can become a barrier to your favorite activities if left untreated, and it is vital to find the right solution for your overall wellbeing. If you live in the greater Birmingham or Tuscaloosa area, a BodyWork session with us can be a great way to address soft tissue-related problems with the skilled hands of a physical therapist. You could book a 40-minute session for $105, or a 60-minute session for $155. If you are interested in our BodyWork program, fill out our Request an Appointment form, and someone from our staff will contact you within 48 hours with your next steps.
