December 2002 [Volume 1, Issue 10]

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In this issue of To Your Health:

• What Is Neuromuscular Therapy?
• More Insurance Plans May Carry Massage Soon
• This Month's Massage Q & A

What Is Neuromuscular Therapy?

Neuromuscular massage is massage applied to specific muscles, often used to increase blood flow, release knots of muscle tension, or release pain/pressure on nerves.

One type of this therapy is also known as Trigger Point Therapy, in that concentrated finger pressure is applied to "trigger points" of muscular pain. It is thought that this system of soft-tissue manipulation balances the body's central nervous system with the musculoskeletal system.

The potential benefits of this type of therapeutic program include enhanced circulation, reduced pain, improved posture and the overall release of tension and stress in the muscles and body tissues.

To learn about other forms of massage therapy, go to www.massagetoday.com/aboutmt. To locate a massage therapist in your area who can provide you with more information on neuromuscular therapy and other massage techniques, go to www.massagetoday.com/locator.

More Insurance Plans May Carry Massage Soon

Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes are widely used to report services for insurance reimbursement, but unless you're one of the fortunate few, visits to the massage therapist aren't covered by insurance. However, although a minority of massage therapists currently utilizes insurance reimbursement in practice, participation is on the rise and is expected to continue.

Consider that the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) was among a select group of health care organizations invited to the American Medical Association (AMA) CPT Editorial Panel's October 3rd meeting of its Alternative Therapy Services Work Group. The AMA CPT Panel functions to update and maintain the CPT code set — in other words, the codes that your health care practitioner can use to bill insurance for reimbursement. According to AMA sources, some new alternative therapy codes may be approved within a year.

What's that mean? Well, more CPT codes (especially codes that specifically apply to massgae therapy) means more of a chance that your massage therapist will bill insurance companies for reimbursement. And if insurance companies allow reimbursement, they feel the therapy in question is valid — which raises the possibility that they'll carry it on their plans. The more insurance companies include massage therapy in their coverage, the more people can afford to enjoy the incredible benefits!

This Month's Massage Q & A

Question: Why do so many athletes get massage before and after competition?

Answer: Many athletes feel that, prior to competition, massage helps loosen them up to prevent injuries; after competition, they feel it helps prevent soreness.

Question: I'm considering going into massage therapy. The research I've done so far seems to suggest that there are a lot of advantages and disadvantages to choosing it as a career. What are some of your experiences?

Answer: My positive experiences all have to do with the wonderful professional relationships I build with clients, and the fact that I help relieve their pain. My not-so-positive experiences have mostly to do with money or, the lack thereof. This is not a get-rich occupation, and it takes a lot of time, effort, persistence, and ingenuity to make it work.

Note: Information provided in the Massage Q & A section is drawn from comments posted on the "Ask a Massage Therapist" forum, where massage therapist James (Doc) Clay fields questions on the profession. The forum is located at https://www.massagetoday.com/ask/.

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