MEDICAL MASSAGE

Janet St. James reports

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PLANO - Walking in heels was impossible for Hazel Alterman a few weeks ago.

"I literally could not walk," Alterman said. "I gave birth naturally twice and you couldn't even compare it was so painful."

She said her agony ended with the press of skilled hands and some well targeted strokes.

Unlike relaxation massage, medical massage is a specialized therapy designed to improve a specific health condition.

"My specialties are post-surgical massage to help the scar tissue heal twice as fast," said Kathy Platt, a therapist. "We also treat carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciatis, sciatica, whiplash injuries. That's what we specialize in."

Medical Massage of Plano is part of the growing alternative healthcare industry. Therapists are trained to know what to do when muscles and joints painfully meet bones and nerves.

A bad disc has caused Kelly Wright's arm and hand to go numb. As a graphic designer, she relies on her right hand to work.

"It releases a lot of the pain and tension so I can keep doing what I love," she said of medical massages.

Jeff Clayton has an aching jaw.

"For TMJ," he cited for his reason for visiting the center. "I chronically grind my teeth at night."

Therapists say this does not replace standard medical care. But, with medical massage, some patients can avoid surgery or recover quicker after undergoing surgery.

Massages for cancer patients who have undergone radiation treatment is a growing need.

"We know the beam path of the radiation," Platt said. "The radiation beam path always forms scar tissue all the way through because they've been burned; and so we're able to actually find that path and release the scar tissue off the nerve so they don't hurt."

In some cases, the treatment is covered by insurance.

"I saved myself a ton of money and agony and unnecessary tests," Alterman said.

She cancelled her appointment with a specialist when the massages wiped away the pain.

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com