Massage in Medicine: Comprehensive Review

Learning Objectives

  • Define allopathic medicine.

  • Explain how massage reemerged in the United States as complementary medicine.

  • Define CAM.

  • Differentiate among the terms alternative, complementary, holistic, and integrative medicine.

  • Explain the role of massage in integrative medicine.

  • Describe the role of the patient in integrative medicine.

  • Explain how chiropractic care and massage practice may be combined.

  • Explain how massage might fit into a hospital setting.

  • Define medical massage.

  • Demonstrate billing insurance for massage.

Importance of Studying Massage in Medicine

  • Understanding the acceptance of massage from alternative to complementary to integrative medicine and into mainstream healthcare helps therapists pursuing medical massage.

  • Communication with medical personnel, understanding charting, and safe practices for treatment of specific pathologies are vital for practicing medical massage.

  • Massage prescribed by a physician in a medical setting may be covered by insurance. Understanding insurance billing can be crucial for a massage practice.

Outline of Massage in Medicine through U.S. History

Allopathic Medicine

  • Allopathic medicine is defined as mainstream medical practice that uses pharmacologic agents or physical interventions to treat or suppress diseases or injuries.

Historical Context of Massage

  • Massage practices have been part of medical practice since ancient times.

  • In the 1950s, massage fell into obscurity but reemerged during the human potential movement of the 1960s and 1970s.

  • Classic Swedish massage was accompanied by alternative practices like reflexology, shiatsu, acupressure, and others.

  • The 1980s saw massage gain popularity among athletes for its benefits in stress reduction and soft tissue injuries.

Definitions of Key Terms

Alternative Medicine

  • Implies services other than those received from allopathic physicians.

Complementary Medicine

  • A term that implies alternative practices can work alongside conventional medicine for client benefit.

Holistic Medicine

  • Focuses on the whole person, considering spiritual, physical, mental, emotional, social, and environmental factors affecting health.

Integrative Medicine

  • Combines complementary and alternative medicine with allopathic medicine.

  • Involves a healthcare team collaborating to create a patient-centered health plan.

CAM Modalities

  • A partial list of CAM practices includes:

    • Acupuncture, Yoga, Meditation, Chiropractic, Herbal Medicine, Massage, Ayurveda, and more.

Patient's Role in Integrative Medicine

  • Patients are partners in health planning, receiving respectful consideration and customization of their health plans.

Working in an Integrative Clinic

Context of CAM in Hospitals

  • Many U.S. hospitals have integrated CAM services, providing a range of alternative or complementary health services with conventional medical practices.

  • Integrative clinics help transform healthcare from a disease-oriented model to a patient-centered approach.

Massage in Hospital Settings

Benefits to Staff and Patients

  • Staff benefits: decreased turnover, increased productivity, improved morale, reduced sick time.

  • Patient benefits: improved sleep, reduced need for medication, increased overall satisfaction with care.

Medical Massage

Definition and Relevance

  • Medical massage is defined as medically prescribed massage intended to improve diagnosed pathologies.

  • Involves techniques that positively affect diagnosed conditions, and requires therapist familiarity with relevant pathologies.

Common Conditions Benefiting from Medical Massage

  • Anxiety, Back pain, Fibromyalgia, Migraines, Sciatica, Tendon injuries, etc.

Insurance and Billing Practices

Billing Process

  • Knowledge of proper billing practices increases likelihood of prompt insurance reimbursement.

  • Important details include accuracy of claims, maintaining appropriate documentation, and verifying patient insurance coverage.

Health Insurance Claim Forms and CPT/ICD-10 Codes

  • CPT Codes are used for billing and represent services provided.

    • Example codes:

    • 97010 for modality application

    • 97124 for therapeutic procedures including massage

  • ICD-10 Codes categorize conditions diagnosed by doctors for insurance billing purposes.

Important Discussions and Questions for Review

  1. Define CAM.

  2. Differentiate between alternative medicine and complementary medicine.

  3. Define integrative medicine.

  4. Explain the role of massage in integrative medicine.

  5. Discuss the considerations for hospital-based massage.

  6. List the seven early warning signs for cancer.

  7. Define medical massage.

  8. Why is it necessary for a massage therapist to obtain insurance verification before providing services?

  9. What is a 1500 Health Insurance Claim Form?

  10. What are ICD-10 codes?

  11. What are CPT codes?

  12. What documents should be included in an initial insurance claim?

Use this comprehensive overview to understand the role, definitions, and processes associated with massage therapy within the realm of medical practices and insurance provisions.