Responding to consumer demand, many health insurance plans now cover massage provided by a massage therapist or provide "carve out" discount programs for massage. Many Blue Cross and Blue Shield medical plans now offer such discount programs for massage. In a 1998-99 survey of 114 HMOs, by Landmark Healthcare, 11 percent of the HMOs surveyed said they cover therapeutic massage. Some of the largest managed care organizations, including Aetna US Healthcare, Kaiser Permanente, and United Healthcare cover massage and other complementary therapies.

Massage therapy is currently regulated in 30 states and the District of Columbia. The remaining states leave any regulation of massage therapy to local municipalities. Statewide regulation of massage therapists may determine if your insurance directly covers massage by a massage therapist. Workers compensation and auto insurance Personal Injury Protection coverage usually cover therapeutic massage.

Check with your healthcare insurance provider. Once massage therapy is prescribed, you or your doctor may need to seek authorization from the insurer if coverage is not clearly spelled out in your policy or plan.

The first appointment generally begins with the massage therapist asking what prompted you to get a massage, your current physical condition, medical history, lifestyle, stress level, and painful areas. The massage therapist may ask you about your health goals and what you hope the massage will do to help you achieve those goals.

For a full-body massage, you will be asked to remove clothing to your level of comfort. Undressing takes place in private, and a sheet, towel, or gown is provided for draping. The therapist will undrape only the part of your body being massaged, ensuring that your modesty is respected at all times. Your massage will take place in a comfortable atmosphere and on a cushioned table. You should expect a peaceful, relaxing experience.

Physical Benefits

• Helps relieve stress and aids relaxation
• Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
• Fosters faster healing of strained muscles and sprained ligaments; reduces pain and swelling; reduces formation of excessive scar tissue
• Reduces muscle spasms
• Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
• Enhances athletic performance
• Promotes deeper and easier breathing
• Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
• Reduces blood pressure
• Helps relieve tension-related headaches
• Effects of eye-strain
• Enhances the health and nourishment of skin
• Improves posture
• Strengthens the immune system

Mental Benefits

• Fosters peace of mind
• Promotes a relaxed state of mental alertness
• Helps relieve mental stress
• Improves ability to monitor stress signals and respond appropriately
• Enhances capacity for calm thinking and creativity
• Satisfies needs for caring — nurturing touch
• Fosters a feeling of well-being
• Reduces levels of anxiety
• Increases awareness of mind-body connection