The following press release was issued today regarding this announcement:

Scottsdale Day Spa, Hawaiian Experience Spa, begins accepting insurance for massage therapy

Hawaiian Experience Spa located in Scottsdale, Arizona has begun accepting insurance for medical massage therapy services.  The Scottsdale day spa, which only employs advanced level massage therapists, provides a full range of day spa services from relaxation massage to facials and body treatments to medical massage.

1/11/09 – (Scottsdale, Arizona)  Hawaiian Experience Spa is now accepting auto and workers compensation insurance for medically necessary massage therapy services in their Scottsdale, Arizona location.  Most insurance companies pay for massage therapy in the event of an injury when a physician prescribes the treatments. 

Hawaiian Experience Day Spa is a unique Scottsdale day spa for women, men, and couples – perfect for special occasions, everyday relaxation,  and medical massage therapy. With an authentic Hawaiian theme, an exotic array of massages and day spa treatments (many inspired by Hawaiian culture and heritage and many developed exclusively by the owners) and a great line of organic Hawaiian men’s and women’s body/face products, you truly will have a Hawaiian Experience each time you visit our Scottsdale Day Spa.

Behind the Scottsdale day spa’s fun and relaxing Hawaiian theme clients will also find some of the best trained massage therapists in the valley – providing advanced medical level massage therapy.  Whether they have been suffering with chronic pain for many years, or just woke up this morning with a stiff neck, they are in good hands at Hawaiian Experience Spa.  Since first opening in 2007 the Scottsdale day spa has treated hundreds of clients suffering from dozens of medical issues with symptoms ranging from mild intermittent pain to debilitating chronic pain caused by a previous injury, car accident, or medical condition.  Many area physicians have referred their patients to the day spa for medical massage therapy.  Hawaiian Experience Spa believes that even if a client is not in pain and is visiting the spa for a relaxation or a general therapeutic massage, the client will still benefit by receiving his or her service from a highly trained, friendly, professional therapist.

Now that the Scottsdale day spa is accepting insurance for massage therapy they hope to be able to help more clients suffering from injury related pain.  Clients who would like more information on insurance reimbursement for massage therapy are encouraged to visit the spa’s web site at www.HawaiianExperienceSpa.com or call the Scottsdale day spa at 480-661-2991.

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ABOUT HAWAIIAN EXPERIENCE SPA

Hawaiian Experience Spa (http://www.hawaiianexperiencespa.com) , headquartered at 10855 N. 116^th St, Scottsdale, AZ 85259 (phone: 480-661-2991) is a unique day spa for women, men, and couples – perfect for special occasions, everyday relaxation, and serious medical massage therapy. With an authentic Hawaiian theme, an exotic array of Hawaiian and traditional treatments and a great line of organic Hawaiian products, clients truly will have a Hawaiian Experience each time they visit. Behind their fun and relaxing Hawaiian theme clients will also find some of the best trained massage therapists in the valley – providing advanced medical level massage therapy.  Hawaiian Experience Spa believes that medical level massage can be more effective when provide in a fun, unique, and relaxing environment such as our Hawaiian Themed Spa.

Hawaiian Experience Spa is now providing franchise opportunities to motivated entrepreneurs in Arizona.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Hawaiian Experience Spa
Steve Ibach, Owner
480-268-7135
SIbach@HawaiianExperienceSpa.com

Jen Scherr of Avondale, AZ suffers from Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) and Chiari Malformation and spends over $3,000 per year on massage therapy. Jen says… See full article on my Examiner.com page.

Article written by:

Steve Ibach, Licensed Massage Therapist, Fitness Consultant

Hawaiian Experience Spa
“Best Day Spa in Scottsdale”
10855 N. 116^th St., Ste 130
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
480-661-2991

www.HawaiianExperienceSpa.com

Read complete article and POST YOUR OPINION on my Examiner.com page. 

Article written by:

Steve Ibach, Licensed Massage Therapist, Fitness Consultant

Hawaiian Experience Spa
10855 N. 116^th St., Ste 130
Scottsdale, AZ 85259
480-661-2991

www.HawaiianExperienceSpa.com

Simply put, Medical Massage Therapy is the focused use of advanced massage techniques to treat a specific condition and achieve a specific outcome. In some cases the condition treated is first diagnosed by the patient’s physician.  In other cases the medical massage therapist simply treats the patient based on the patient’s subjective description of his symptoms and following a thorough assessment of the patient’s muscles, posture, etc. 

Techniques used during a medical massage often include neuromuscular therapy, myofascial release, and lymphatic drainage massage among many others; however they can also include more common techniques such as Swedish Massage.  The main difference between a medical massage and a regular massage is that it is performed by therapists with advanced training and the treatment is structured to obtain a specific outcome.  Examples of specific outcomes include; decreasing low back pain, increasing range of motion in the shoulder, eliminating tingling in the hands, reducing swelling, reducing leg cramps, etc.

There is still no specific licensing requirement anywhere in Scottsdale, or anywhere else in the United States that I am aware of, that specifically licenses or recognizes “Medical Massage Therapists” over any other duly licensed massage therapist.  This means that the term “Medical Massage Therapist” is still more of a self imposed description of the therapist’s focus rather then an official designation or recognition by any authority.  Any massage therapist with a proper license in his jurisdiction can usually legally perform any type of massage.

Despite this it is very helpful to seek out a Medical Massage Therapist if you require massage therapy to treat a specific symptom.  Any therapist using this term to describe himself or his practice is clearly advertising that he focuses on medical massage.  This will narrow down your search for the proper massage therapist for your needs from among the tens of thousands of therapists that mainly focus on relaxation or general therapeutic massage techniques.  You can think of the term Medical Massage Therapist as a specialty among massage therapy.  It is similar to a family practice Medical Doctor advertising that they specialize in “medical care for women”.  The MD is still just an MD like any other, however, knowing her focus is a great help to the patient when seeking a doctor.

Treating Pain
Many of my clients first visit me because they are experiencing pain. The pain can be the result of a medically diagnosed condition such as tendonitis, a muscle strain, fibromyalgia, a herniated disc, etc. It can also be from general muscle tension, a previous car accident or injury, or can be from no known cause.

In many cases, medical massage therapy can eliminate the client’s pain permanently in only a few visits by releasing chronically hypertonic (tight) muscles, and bringing proper muscle balance back into your body.  Muscles encompass about 60% of your total body mass and much of the pain we experience emanates from nerve endings in muscle tissue.  When muscles are out of balance (meaning that one muscle is tight compared to an opposing muscle) your body can physically shift out or alignment (hip can rotate forward, shoulder can elevate, etc.) causing nerve compression and pain.  By applying medically proven Neuromuscular massage techniques, among others, we can alleviate muscle tension, helping to correct your posture, and eliminating unnatural pressure on your nerve pathways.  This process can often be accomplished in only a few visits and improvement is usually seen by the client after only a single visit.

For more information on medical massage, along with some client testimonials of how medical massage has helped them, I suggest visiting the Hawaiian Experience Spa Medical Massage Page.

Some of the conditions that can be successfully treated with medical massage include:

• Low Back Pain
• Stress
• TMJ Pain
• Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome
• Tingling in Hands
• Neck Tension
• Reduced Range of Motion
• Postural Imbalances
• Recovery after Surgery
• Chronic Pain in any area
• Lymphedema
• Joint Aches
• Fibromyalgia Pain
• Headaches
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Constipation
• Much more..

Article written by:

Steve Ibach, Licensed Massage Therapist, Nationally Certified in Therapeutic Massage

Hawaiian Experience Spa
10855 N. 116^th St., Ste 130
Scottsdale, AZ 85259

480-661-2991
www.HawaiianExperienceSpa.com

IMPORTANT – Nothing you read in our blog, on our web site, in our newsletter, etc., as well as nothing we discuss with you individually is meant to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any disease. You should consult with a physician or other qualified professional for all medical advise.

The debate over the Obama administration’s attempts to reform the health care system have divided the nation into three segments: 1) Those that support Obama’s vision of health care reform, 2) Those that are absolutely opposed to Obama’s health care vision, 3) Those who are tired of constant fighting between Democrats and Republicans and wish they would just agree on something reasonable so we can move on.

Well the bad news for group number three is that the Democrats and Republicans will never agree on this issue.  Republicans are fundamentally opposed to a public health care option, generally do not want to spend more money on any government program (with the possible exception of defense spending), and will not support Obama in the current climate even if he proposes a way we can all live forever.  Democrats, who generally believe government programs such as Medicare, school lunches, student financial aid, and so much more, are important to the nation as a whole, want to exercise their power and add another government program that they believe will help everyone.  Plus the Democrats feel empowered – why not just stick it to those backwards Republicans and spend another trillion?  We can after all make more money anytime we need it.

I personally strongly believe in health care reform, but not necessarily Obamacare.  Millions of U.S. citizens who want health care insurance cannot afford it.  Let’s not squabble over the actual number. Does it really matter if it is 5 million or 46 million?  And health care insurance, as provided by the major insurance companies, is ridiculously expensive and lacks coverage of important services.  The reasons for this are many and are very complex, but they include some of the following:

• Huge Insurance Company Profits – We all know they make billions off of us.  But why shouldn’t they? They are a for profit business trying to make as much as possible for their stockholders, period! This fundamental structure of insurance companies needs revision.
• Greedy Insurance Holders – Americans want everything.  We want every new treatment and drug out there.  We demand the most expensive treatments and expect the insurance company to pay for it. 
• We do it to ourselves – How many people cause their own medical expenses by grossly not caring for themselves; over eating, smoking, drinking heavily, not wearing seat belts, driving recklessly, etc.  Insurance companies, who must make a profit or close up, pay to treat our self inflicted health care problems and simply add those expenses into the pot when they set next year’s rates.
• Doctors will do whatever you ask – For the most part your family practice doctor will give you whatever you want, as long as he does not think it will hurt you.  If your back hurts and you insist on a very expensive MRI you will get a prescription for one.  Of course, the doctor has to do this or he will lose you as a patient. It would be nice if our system encouraged doctors to look for more inexpensive alternatives when possible without the fear of losing a patient.

With all of this being said, and so much more left unsaid, what is the answer?  I have no idea! The complexities of the entire situation are staggering, and I am not pretending to be an expert in this matter.  I will say that I see clients every week that need healthcare (including medical massage therapy which is not paid for by health insurance) that they cannot afford to get.  Something clearly needs to be done.

So I recommend the following for this very important issue.  The Democrats and the Republicans should prepare separate healthcare reform plans because they obviously will never agree on a joint plan.  Those plans should be put to a vote directly to the American people who would have a choice of either plan or no plan.  Whichever of the three choices got the most votes would clearly show what most Americans want.

Obviously, every single decision cannot be brought directly to the American people for a vote.  However the health care issue, due to its profound importance and the division it is causing across the nation, may be important enough to have the American people decide this issue for themselves. At the very least we would finally know what most Americans really want and the whole process may force politicians to come up with quality solutions devoid of pork, overspending, special projects and inefficiencies.

A conversation with a client yesterday reminded me of an important part of modern medicine – a part so important that it indeed may be the cure for everything. It is so important that doctors use this invention of modern medicine above everything else, and patients often demand it, whether they need it or not.  I am referring, or course, to the pill.  Not “the pill” in the sense of keeping babies from away, but the more general sense of the cure all for everything – the pill for whatever.

The solution to nearly every ailment in modern medicine is to write a prescription.  Does your back hurt? Here is a muscle relaxer and a pain killer.  Do you have a cold? Here is a decongestant, antihistamine, and a maybe even an antibiotic.  Are you stressed at work? A little Xanax will make you feel great!

Don’t get me wrong, I love modern medicine.  Drugs are a wonderful invention and the measured use of them is very helpful in treating patients.  However, in part because our health care system only allows for 10 minutes of consultation with your doctor per visit, prescriptions, which take about 10 seconds to write, have become the cure all for everything.

My client yesterday is a perfect example of doctors overusing, or even misusing, their prescription writing power. My client is a young women who has been suffering from low back pain for years. The cause of this pain was not diagnosed by her physician – instead he has given her narcotic pain killers.  She tried a chiropractor on her own (yickes!) which did not help and finally ended up with me.  In the absence of a doctor’s diagnosis I performed my own assessment and found a severe imbalance in her muscles – one that can easily be corrected by a few neuromuscular massage sessions, exercise, and stretching.  This is a story that we see so frequently that we are almost numb to it.

Medical Doctors are among the most educated professionals in the world.  They have extensive training in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, pathologies, and much, much more.  However, after medical school it seems that these highly trained professionals forget the basics and don’t concern themselves with finding the cause of a medical problem when a pill will get the patient on his way so he or she can move onto the next patient.  After all to make any money these days under our health insurance system, doctors have to treat a bazillion patients every day – there is no time to spend with you.

Every medical problem has an underlying cause. If your back hurts there is a reason. If your leg is swollen there is a reason.  If you are getting headaches there is a reason. Many doctors no longer spend the time looking for these reasons. They don’t even try when a pill will appease the patient and at least partially alleviate his symptoms.

I could go on and on about the unnecessary dispensement of prescription drugs and the lack of diagnose by doctors.  I have dozens of examples from clients.

The point of this post, however, is this: you need to take charge of your own heath care and demand the answers you need.  We need to stop pretending we are satisfied when the doctor gives us a prescription.  Demand answers!

Why is my back hurting? Maybe, you have a bulging disc, week hamstring muscles, a compressed nerve, etc. Once you know the cause you can find a real treatment.

Why is my child always sick? Maybe she is allergic to something in your home? Shouldn’t your doctor help you find out instead of constantly giving your child an antibiotic without also working on finding the source of her constant ear infections?

Ask the questions and find the route cause of your problem. If your doctor cannot or will not spend enough time with you, you should consider changing doctors.  Ask to see a specialist, physical therapist, massage therapist, etc.  Ask to get blood work or other lab tests done.  This is especially important if you have a chronic problem – one that is recurring or won’t go away.  It may not be practical to spend the time and money to get to the route cause of your one time back ache (taking a pain killer might been an acceptable solution for a week or so), but if you have chronic back pain don’t you deserve an answer?

Remember this is your responsibility as much as your doctors. If you go in expecting, or even demanding, a prescription from your doctor, that is probably what you will get.  If you go in looking for answers, you will have a harder road ahead of you, but the answers can be found.  Medical Doctors usually get into medicine because they want to help people.  If we show them that we want real help, we can help them change the system and get back to the basics – diagnose and find a cure.

I am treating a client who came to the spa with severe and debilitating pain in the left gluteal area.  She was in constant pain and could not perform many regular everyday activities.  Upon assessing her muscle condition I could immediately tell there was an extreme imbalance between various muscles that act on the hip area.  Some muscles were severely hypertonic (overly tight) and others were hypotonic (less tone than normal). This imbalance was causing postural abnormalities including elevation and anterior rotation of the hip among other areas.

After a few minutes of working on the client and discussing her condition and background a little more, I suggested she speak with her doctor about seeing a physical therapist.  Although I was certain that massage therapy techniques would be a great help to her, and perhaps alleviate her pain completely in the near term, the client also needed strengthening of the hypotonic muscles to help correct some of her symptoms.  Although I have no problem recommending general exercise to clients, physical therapists are the appropriate health care professionals to work with when seeking specific rehabilitation exercises.

So that brings me to the whole point of this post.  According to my client, her medical doctor told her she “was too far gone for physical therapy”.  This is not a joke?  In my opinion my 75 year old mother who had heart valve replacement surgery is not too far gone from physical therapy.  What does that even mean?  Is the doctor saying death is imminent? My client is in her 30’s – 40’s.  Instead her doctor thought it was better to give her cortisone shots!  Cortisone shots, while they are useful under some circumstance, are much more invasive then physical or massage therapy.  They have many possible side effects.

Why would a doctor recommend such a course of action?  Certainly he will make more money from the insurance company giving her cortisone shots compared to giving her a referral.  Did he really believe that was the best course for my client, before even at least trying physical therapy?

This is an example of a failure of our medical system.  Family practice Medical Doctors, whom I greatly respect as a group, are not the foremost experts in the musculoskeletal system.  This client should have been referred to a massage therapist, physical therapists, or another medical doctor who specializes in this type of condition. 

My client has seen me for a few weeks in a row and is now greatly improved.  The debilitating pain is gone and she is beginning to do normal activities again.  Despite the fact that she was “too far gone for physical therapy” she has started an exercise program of her own to strengthen her muscles.

Regardless of how we improve the medical system, there will always be some doctors, physical therapists, nurses, massage therapists, etc. who give bad advice.  My recommendation is to not accept everything your healthcare provider says as absolute fact.  Educate yourself on your condition, speak with a variety of people, get second opinions, etc.  Your healthcare is your responsibility and you cannot depend on your doctor to always be right.  There are varying opinions among the most qualified physicians and specialists so always evaluate all your options – especially if an invasive treatment such as surgery, shots, or medication is recommended over physical therapy, massage therapy, etc.