Massage Therapy Journal Spring 2025

32 • Massage Therapy Journal

O rthopedics is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, technique and prevention of conditions and injuries that affect the musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic massage is a style of massage therapy that focuses on the assessment and technique of musculoskeletal dysfunctions and pain, and is considered a form of manual therapy that involves the use of a variety of massage applications to help decrease or manage pain, increase range of motion and encourage the healing process.

This class will take a deep look at the anatomy of the joints, muscles and nerves. Additionally, we’ll review how some specific orthopedic assessments can aid in evaluating specific conditions and determine if massage therapy may be able to help.

Classification of Joints: Structure and Movement

Joints of the body, also known as articulations, are areas where two or more bones come together. They provide the necessary flexibility and movement required for various activities. Joints can be organized based on their structure and the types of movements they allow. The main classifications of joints include structural, functional and planes of movement. Structural Classification: Structural classification organizes joints based on the type of connective tissue that holds the bones together and whether a joint cavity is present. This classification identifies three types: 1. Fibrous Joints: In fibrous joints, the bones are held together by dense fibrous connective tissue. These joints allow very little to no movement. Examples include sutures in the skull, gomphosis (where the teeth articulate with either the mandible or maxilla), and syndesmoses, such as the tibiofibular joint. 2. Cartilaginous Joints: Cartilaginous joints, as the name implies, are connected by cartilage. These joints allow limited movement. Two subtypes are present in the body: A. Synchondroses : These joints are linked by B. Symphyses : These joints are connected by fibrocartilage. Some examples are the pubic symphysis, manubriosternal joints and the intervertebral joints. 3. Synovial Joints: Synovial joints are characterized by having a joint cavity filled with synovial fluid. The synovial fluid lubricates and brings nutrients to the joint. These joints allow an extensive amount of hyaline cartilage. Some examples are the epiphyseal plate in growing bones, the first sternocostal joint and the spheno-occipital synchondrosis.

Massage therapists who wish to offer orthopedic techniques should be well educated in musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology. For instance, having knowledge of where the joints are, their respective ranges of motion and how they function will be of great importance in working with these conditions. Similarly, understanding where the muscles are located, where their attachment sites are, and the movement patterns or actions of each muscle will also be very crucial. Extensive knowledge and understanding of how the body moves and functions is at the core of a well-trained orthopedic massage therapist. For massage therapists doing this work, your clients will most likely have conditions that include chronic pain, injuries and postural imbalances. That is why it’s not uncommon to find orthopedic massage therapists working alongside other health care professionals, such as chiropractors or physical therapists, where having a variety of manual therapy techniques to assess and address these conditions can be a boon to the other professionals and their skills. During an orthopedic massage session, the massage therapist will commonly perform an assessment of posture, movement patterns and areas of tension or pain for each client. Specific orthopedic assessments can also be used to gain more precise information on a condition. Based on the results of the assessments, the massage therapist will then develop a tailored technique plan that may include a combination of massage approaches to address the client’s issues.

Extensive knowledge and understanding of how the body moves and functions is at the core of a well trained orthopedic massage therapist.

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