People with an orthopedic condition such as gout, a spine injury, arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis may benefit from working with a local registered massage therapist. Or, perhaps you’re recovering from an orthopedic surgery such as a knee replacement, hip replacement or broken ankle repair. If you have an orthopedic condition or are recovering from orthopedic surgery, you will probably work with a local orthopedic surgeon in addition to your local family physician. They can help you understand how a local registered massage therapist could benefit your condition. A local registered massage therapist is a health and wellness practitioner who treats disorders and injuries of soft tissues. However, you don’t need to have an injury to see or benefit from a local registered massage therapist. From deep tissue to lymphatic drainage, local registered massage therapists use a variety of techniques to reduce pain, decrease scar tissue and promote healing. For example, if you’ve experienced a shoulder SLAP tear, your local registered massage therapist may be able to promote healing and reduce pain. If you’ve had a knee replacement surgery, they may be able to reduce scar tissue. If you have a running injury, they may be able to get you back on the trails sooner and reduce the need for pain medication or cortisone injections. Talk to your local family physician or orthopedic surgeon to find out if seeing a local registered massage therapist could be a good fit for you.