Medical Massage, Spa Massage or Physical Therapy and When to Choose Each | Intention Wellness at Sun Therapy

At Intention Wellness at Sun Therapy, I meet people every day who are seeking answers, whether it’s for persistent tension, injury recovery, or simply to reconnect with their bodies in a more intentional way.

Both massage therapy and physical therapy can offer deep healing. But they serve different roles. And even within massage therapy, it’s important to understand the difference between medical massage and spa massage so you can choose care that supports your specific goals.

This guide was created to help you make empowered, informed choices about your wellness.

What Is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is a hands-on technique that addresses the body’s soft tissues, muscles, fascia, and connective tissue, to support circulation, pain relief, nervous system balance, and overall wellness.

At Intention Wellness, we focus on therapeutic outcomes while creating a calm, grounding experience that helps you reconnect with your body. Here’s how the different types of massage therapy compare:

Spa Massage

Spa massage is rooted in relaxation. It helps you release tension, unwind the nervous system, and reconnect with your breath. Swedish techniques, gentle pressure, aromatherapy, and a calming environment are key features.

Ideal for:

• Stress and anxiety

• Sleep support

• General wellness and emotional balance

• Circulatory health

While not our core focus, elements of relaxation are woven into every session at Intention Wellness, because healing happens most easily when the body feels safe.

Medical Massage

Medical massage is a more targeted approach used to address specific issues like chronic pain, injury, postural imbalance, or recovery from physical strain. These sessions often include advanced techniques like:

• Myofascial release

• Neuromuscular therapy

• Trigger point work

• Deep tissue and structural alignment

This is the heart of my work at Intention Wellness at Sun Therapy. Each session is personalized, collaborative, and goal-oriented, always grounded in your needs and guided by what your body communicates.

Research Insight:A 2022 review in Healthcare (Basel) confirms that medical massage contributes to reduced pain, improved mobility, and enhanced quality of life in conditions like low back pain and fibromyalgia.

What Is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a clinical, often referral-based treatment approach designed to restore movement, strength, and function after injury or surgery. PTs are licensed healthcare providers who develop rehabilitation plans based on clinical assessment and diagnosis.

PT is typically the right path if you're:

• Recovering from surgery (e.g., joint repair, spinal fusion)

• Rehabilitating an injury (e.g., ACL tear, frozen shoulder)

• Managing a neurological condition (e.g., stroke, Parkinson’s)

• Working through chronic joint dysfunction or instability

Therapies may include corrective exercise, manual therapy, stretching, and patient education.

Learn more at the American Physical Therapy Association.

Massage Therapy vs. Physical Therapy: What's the Difference?

Feature	Spa Massage	Medical Massage	Physical Therapy
Goal	Relaxation	Targeted relief & functional support	Restoring mobility & strength
Setting	Spa or wellness center	Therapeutic practice (like ours)	Clinic or hospital
Techniques	Swedish, aromatherapy	Deep tissue, trigger point, myofascial	Exercise, stretching, mobilization
Referral Needed?	No	Sometimes	Usually required (insurance-based)
Best For	Stress relief	Pain, imbalance, recovery	Structured rehab after injury or surgery

When to Choose Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be especially effective when:

• You’re living with chronic pain or stress

• You’re managing postural tension from work or movement habits

• You want to prevent injury and maintain functional wellness

• You’re seeking support between PT visits or post-rehabilitation

• You value a collaborative, body-aware healing process

At Intention Wellness, each session is crafted with care, intention, and skill~ balancing deep work with nervous system safety.

When to Choose Physical Therapy

Physical therapy may be the best fit if you:

• Are recovering from recent surgery or acute injury

• Need formal rehabilitation under medical supervision

• Were referred by a physician or orthopedic specialist

• Require gait training, joint stabilization, or progressive exercise plans

PT is often part of a care team’s post-acute recovery plan, especially for injuries affecting bones, joints, or nerves.

Can You Use Both?

Yes, and many clients do.

Massage therapy can prepare the body for physical therapy by reducing tension, improving mobility, and calming the nervous system. After PT, massage can help reinforce alignment and prevent compensation patterns from taking hold.

A 2020 study published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies showed that integrating massage into physical rehab resulted in greater pain relief and increased range of motion compared to PT alone.

A Personal, Integrated Approach to Healing

At Intention Wellness at Sun Therapy, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all care. Whether you’re coming in for deep therapeutic work, post-injury support, or a quiet moment of reconnection, our work begins with listening, to your story, your body, and your goals.

Not sure which path is right for you? Let’s talk. I’m happy to help you clarify what you need, and if massage isn’t the right next step, I can point you toward trusted providers who may be.

Book a session or a consultation here:https://www.intentionwellnessatsuntherapy.com/booking

References

American Physical Therapy Association. (n.d.). Choose PT. Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://www.choosept.com/

Choi, J., & Lee, J. H. (2022). Effects of massage therapy on pain and functional outcomes in patients with low back pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Healthcare (Basel), 10(2), 221. https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9032/10/2/221

Hosseini, F., & Jahandideh, M. (2020). The effect of therapeutic massage combined with physical therapy on pain and range of motion in musculoskeletal disorders: A clinical trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 24(2), 151–157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2020.02.012