Massage and traction are be provided by an occupational therapist to help you participate in everyday activities. They are a hands-on form of therapy that includes:

• Massage and manipulation of joints and soft tissues to decrease pain, increase range of motion and decrease swelling.
• Traction using a weight, pulley or physical force to pull on a bone or joint. It can also be used to stretch a tight muscle and decrease spasms.
• Work to relax muscles and improve the mobility of joints.

Commonly treated areas or regions of the body include the neck, back, hips, knees, wrists and shoulders.

In addition to providing treatment, an occupational therapist will usually:

• Ask about your medical history, current symptoms and level of function
• Test and measure your strength, flexibility and mobility
• Discuss how you use your body during your daily activities

An occupational therapy evaluation may also include an assessment of your:

• Home
• Workplace
• School

It is important to remember that the total cost of this care path does not include medicine, imaging studies, or referrals to other healthcare providers. Those charges can add up.

Before your appointment with an occupational therapist write down your:

• Medical history (past illnesses, surgeries and hospitalizations)
• Questions, concerns and symptoms
• Medications (including over-the-counter)
• Previous occupational or physical therapy treatments

Here are some questions to ask your occupational therapist:

• What is causing my symptoms?
• When might I start to see improvement?
• Should I exercise or modify my activity?
• What is my treatment plan?
• What symptoms should I report before my next appointment

After your appointment, you should understand your treatment plan, including home exercises recommended by the therapist.

Source UHC.com

Also known as:

Occupational Therapy - Massage and Traction

Occupational Therapy