Frequently Asked Questions

Services through the Massage Therapy Practice do not require a doctor’s prescription and are not reimbursable through your health insurance.

Myofascial Release is a manual therapy technique. It can be performed by a properly trained therapist (PT/OT/MT). Your health insurance will pay for Myofascial Release if it is done under Physical or Occupational Therapy but not Massage Therapy.

Internal pelvic floor treatment is not allowable under the Massage Practice. It must be done under the PT or OT license.

Physical Therapy – A scope of practice primarily concerned with the remediation of impairments and disabilities while promoting mobility, functional ability, quality of life and movement potential through the use of examination, diagnosis, physical intervention techniques and passive modality agents carried out by physical therapists.

Massage Therapy – The manipulating of superficial and deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using various techniques to enhance function, aid in the healing process, decrease pain and promote relaxation and well-being carried out by a licensed massage therapist.
Each type of therapy listed above requires a license to perform and is governed by a state regulated practice act. All above therapies allow for the therapeutic touching of the human body. To maintain a current active license every therapist must attend yearly continuing education classes. Many continuing education classes offer advanced level therapeutic interventions and techniques for remediation of musculo-skeletal dysfunction.

At HOPT all our therapists have had advanced training in remediation of musculo-skeletal dysfunction and perform as a team in the care and treatment of our clients.
Our individual practice acts allow for differing levels of care:

Physical Therapists in the state of Texas are no longer required to practice under a doctors’ order initially. There is a limitation of 10 consecutive days during which a PT can see a patient before having to get a prescription from a doctor. The prescription will be required after the 10th consecutive day after therapy starts regardless of an individual’s choice to pay cash for services or utilize insurance benefits.

Massage therapists typically provide general maintenance care without a doctors’ prescription and is typically non-reimbursed by insurance.

A typical massage therapy session is between 60 and 90 minutes and can be longer depending your personal preference. Your massage will begin with a brief consultation and review of symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. 

Please undress (or feel free to keep your underwear on) while the massage therapist is out of the room, and lie under the sheet on the massage table. 

When you are ready, the massage therapist will re-enter the room and the therapist will make the proper adjustments to your body to alleviate the stress. 

Please communicate to the therapist any issues of soreness, tenderness, pain or areas of tension. This will allow the therapist to apply the proper techniques in order to heal the area. 

After the massage, the therapist leaves the room so you can get changed. 

Take your time getting up. If you sit or stand too quickly you may feel lightheaded or dizzy. Please all drink a lot of water in order to flush out the toxins released during the massage.

One hour of any Massage Therapy service from any of our Licensed Massage Therapists is $100.00. Please contact us to learn more about our packages and discount rates.

We also offer:

• Deep Tissue: Targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. It is used to relieve chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or to aid in recovery from injury.
• Sportsmassage: Specifically designed for those involved in physical activity, and aimed at treating injury, stretching, and enhancing athletic performance.
• Swedish: Smooth strokes, kneading, and circular movements on superficial layers of muscle to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
• Pregnancy: Reduces swelling, increases circulation, and promotes relaxation. Special pregnancy pad or pillow is used for optimal comfort.
• Chair: Chair massage focuses on the neck, back, and arms.
• Hot Stone: This ancient healing massage using acupressure points and hot stones to relax, revitalize, and detoxify sore muscles.
• Acupressure/Trigger Point: Involves gradual application of varying pressure to painful tissue until symptoms decrease or the muscle relaxes.
• Cross-fiber: Disrupts and breaks down existing and forming adhesions in muscles, tendons and ligaments using compression and motion.
• Craniosacral Therapy– see FAQ
• Lymphatic Drainage– see FAQ

• Relieves neck and back pain, headache pain
• Relieves discomfort and low back pain during pregnancy
• Reduces stress, athletic Injury and recovery time, spasms and cramping, and post surgery scar tissue and edema
• Stimulates flow of lymph (the body’s natural defense system) and endorphins
• Increases circulation, joint flexibility and range of motion
• Relaxes injured or overused muscles, mind and body

Some other techniques applied include trigger point therapy, craniosacral therapy, neuromuscular or movement re-education and rehabilitative stretches. Stress is a significant cause of a lot of tension and problems. Relaxation techniques are also utilized including proper breathing techniques.

• Decreases Pain and Inflammation
• 
Reduces stress and improves circulation
• Allows for increased flexibility and range of motion
• 
Helps Digestion

Massage therapists, with their knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, are some of the best trained people to deal with myofascial and musculoskeletal pain syndromes. They spend many hours physically palpating and manipulating the muscles and soft tissue of the body. Whether it is lower back pain, arthritis, repetitive stress from computer use, or fibromyalgia, massage may be able to relieve the associated pain. In some cases, massage is the most effective tool to relieve symptoms.

Our therapists are certified and licensed in the state of Texas and are continually learning new skills in the ever-growing field of massage and bodywork.

Massage therapy is not recommended for:

• People with infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds
• Immediately after surgery
• Immediately after chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor
• People prone to blood clots. There is a risk of blood clots being dislodged. If you have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage
• Massage will not be done directly over bruises, inflamed skin, unhealed wounds, tumors, abdominal hernia, or areas of recent fractures.

Massage therapy shouldn’t hurt. Occasionally there is mild aching when the massage therapist applies pressure over “knots” and other areas of muscle tension. If the pressure is too strong for you, let the massage therapist know.

Most people feel calm and relaxed after a treatment. Occasionally, people experience mild temporary aching for a day.

For men, we ask that you wear loose fitting shorts without a shirt.

For women we ask that you wear something that you would feel comfortable moving in, yet exposes the skin. Examples may be: shorts and a bra or sports bra, a two piece swim suit, or your bra and underwear.

We respect any special considerations that may arise and encourage you to speak to your therapists if you have any more specific questions or concerns about what to wear to therapy.

Craniosacral therapy is an alternative or complementary healing modality that uses gentle touch to manipulate the bones of the skull and the lower spine and pelvis. The technique was developed by an osteopathic physician and professor of biomechanics, John E. Upledger. Craniosacral therapy is intended to increase and normalize the flow of cerebrospinal fluid through the bones of the head, the spine and the pelvis, thereby restoring health to sufferers of a range of health conditions. Like traditional Chinese medicine, the healing method aims to remove blockages in healthy flow, which result in the manifestation of disease. However, instead of working energetically, craniosacral therapy works with the tissues and fluids surrounding the central nervous system.

According to craniosacral therapists, the treatment may relieve pain, joint problems, chronic fatigue, depression, hyperactivity and various diseases affecting the nervous, immune or endocrine systems. However, given the dramatic difference between a craniosacral framework and the scientific medical model, these results are not necessarily borne out by scientific trials. According to the American Cancer Society, the therapy has not been proven to treat cancer or any other disease, but may relieve stress and tension.

The lymph system is a network of vessels and lymph nodes supplementary to the body’s circulatory system that delivers nutrients to the cells and carries away excess water, cellular waste, bacteria, viruses and toxins.

A therapist trained in lymph drainage stimulates the lymph system with extremely light, pumping movements across the skin and where there are high concentrations of lymph nodes. By stimulating the lymphatic system, the therapist helps drain puffy, swollen tissues, supports the body’s immune system, helps the body heal from surgery, and aids in the body’s natural waste removal or detoxification.

This refers to the concept that seemingly unrelated impairments in a remote anatomical region may contribute to or be associated with the client’s primary complaint. For example, a headache may be caused by or contributing to neck, hip or pelvic pain just as back muscle tightness or spasms can cause leg or neck pain.