Massage therapy

Massage therapy is treatment that uses touch to relax and address the muscles and soft tissues of the body. Massage therapists apply different levels of pressure and use different techniques based on your individual needs.

Massage therapy can address health issues that include:

• Muscular tension
• Range of motion and flexibility problems
• Chronic pain
• Circulation problems
• Stress

Types of massage therapy

Types of massage therapy available at Aurora include:

• Swedish massage: This type of massage uses long, gliding strokes on the top layers of your muscles to promote relaxation.
• Sports massage: A more vigorous type of massage, sports massage reaches deeper layers of your muscles and is ideal for athletes.
• Prenatal massage: This type of massage is for pregnant women. It helps relieve pregnancy-related tension, aches and pains in the neck, shoulders, back and legs.
• Geriatric massage: Ideal for older adults, geriatric massage is specifically designed to address aging and arthritis-related pain.
• Neuromuscular therapy: This type of massage uses finger pressure on specific trigger points (painful, irritated areas) to help break the cycle of spasm or pain.
• Craniosacral therapy: This type of massage uses gentle touch on the skull, face, spine and hips to relieve pain. Learn more about craniosacral therapy.
• Oncology massage: This type of massage may mitigate the side effects of conventional cancer care, improve coping and enhance quality of life. Learn more about massage as integrative cancer therapy.

Conditions treated with massage therapy

Doctors and physical therapists recommend massage therapy for a variety of conditions, including:

• Pain associated with injuries
• Back problems such as spinal stenosis, herniated disc and scoliosis
• Arthritis
• Sports related injuries
• Cancer (as a complement to conventional treatment)*

* Aurora’s state-licensed massage therapists complete thorough training to understand the side effects of cancer and how to modify massage based on the needs of each patient.

Massage therapy at Aurora

Massage therapy is available to the public as well as through doctor referrals. People come to Aurora for massage therapy because we offer:

• Licensed massage therapists: All of our massage therapists are licensed in the state of Wisconsin. That means they’ve received special training to perform massages, so you only receive care from experts.
• Specialty care: Our massage therapists work with your primary care doctor, including Aurora sports health doctors, to ensure your massage therapy fits into your overall treatment plan. A sports health doctor is someone who specializes in working with athletes and active adults. Meet our sports health team.
• Comprehensive treatment: At Aurora, an entire team of experts works together to monitor your progress and personalize care to your needs. In addition to massage therapy, we offer integrative medicine like acupuncture, chiropractic, physical therapy and a wide range of orthopedic medicine and orthopedic surgery services.
• Convenient locations: More than a dozen of our locations across eastern Wisconsin offer massage therapy, making it easy to get pain and tension relief close to where you live, work or train.

What to expect

Before your massage

Before your massage, your massage therapist will ask you about specific areas of pain in your body. They may also ask about any injuries or areas you wish to avoid during your massage.

Your massage therapist will then leave the room so you can undress to your comfort level.

During your massage

During your massage, you may lay on your back, stomach or on your side. Your massage therapist will use strategically placed sheets or towels to uncover areas of your body while working on them. You should let your massage therapist know if the pressure is too much or uncomfortable.

The massage will last from 30 to 90 minutes. Cost** is dependent on the length of your massage.

After your massage

You may feel a little soreness for a day or so after your massage. Most experts recommend drinking plenty of water after to help flush out substances that were released from your muscles and tissues.

Fees you can afford

30-minute massage $42.00
45-minute massage $63.00
60-minute massage $84.00
75-minute massage $105.00
90-minute massage $126.00

Fees are subject to change.

** Massage therapy is available to Aurora Cancer Care patients at select locations and is subject to therapist availability. Learn more about massage at Aurora Cancer Care.

Giving the gift of massage is a thoughtful way to show someone that you care about their well-being. Massage therapy gift certificates are available where massage services are provided.

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