top of page
Shoulder Massage

Massage Therapy Services

Clinical, intentional massage therapy designed to support recovery, movement, and nervous system balance.

 

Massage therapy at Pivotal Connections is not a spa experience—and it’s not “just relaxation.” Our approach is thoughtful, goal-driven, and integrated with how your body moves, heals, and responds to stress.

Whether you’re recovering from injury, managing chronic tension, or supporting an active lifestyle, massage therapy is used intentionally to help your body feel and function better.

Massage Therapy Session

Our Approach to Massage

Massage therapy at Pivotal Connections is clinical, intentional, and collaborative.

Our licensed massage therapists work alongside, not under, our physical therapists. Each provider brings a distinct skill set and perspective, allowing care to be focused, efficient, and complementary. When massage and physical therapy are used together, they are coordinated to enhance one another—not duplicate effort.

Massage therapists assess tissue quality, restriction, and nervous system response to guide treatment, while maintaining the flexibility to work independently based on the needs of each session.

This collaborative model allows:

  • More focused hands-on work

  • Better carryover between sessions

  • A more complete picture of how the body is responding

What your individualized care may include

  • Joint and soft-tissue mobilization

  • Strength and stability training

  • Mobility and flexibility work

  • Movement retraining and neuromuscular control

  • Postural and ergonomic guidance

  • Practical home strategies that support daily life

  • Care evolves as your body responds—because progress isn’t linear.

What to Expect From Your Session

  • One-on-one care with a licensed massage therapist

  • Clear communication about goals and preferences

  • A calm, supportive environment

  • Thoughtful integration with other services when appropriate​
     

Massage can stand alone or be used alongside physical therapy or recovery services.

Common Reasons People Seek Massage Therapy

  • Neck, shoulder, and back tension

  • Headaches or jaw-related tension

  • Muscle soreness and recovery needs

  • Stress and nervous system overload

  • Limited mobility due to soft-tissue restriction

  • Support during injury recovery or performance training

pv connections (26 of 85).jpg

Our Approach to massage therapy

Massage therapy at Pivotal Connections is clinical, intentional, and collaborative.

Our licensed massage therapists work alongside, not under, our physical therapists. Each provider brings a distinct skill set and perspective, allowing care to be focused, efficient, and complementary. When massage and physical therapy are used together, they are coordinated to enhance one another—not duplicate effort.

Massage therapists assess tissue quality, restriction, and nervous system response to guide treatment, while maintaining the flexibility to work independently based on the needs of each session.

This collaborative model allows:

  • More focused hands-on work

  • Better carryover between sessions

  • A more complete picture of how the body is responding

Massage Therapy & Physical Therapy: Better Together

Massage therapy and physical therapy can each stand alone, but when used together, they often enhance outcomes.

Massage therapy may help:

  • Prepare tissue for movement and exercise

  • Reduce guarding or tone that limits progress

  • Improve recovery between physical therapy sessions

Physical therapy may help:

  • Restore strength, mobility, and control

  • Address movement patterns contributing to tissue stress

  • Provide long-term strategies for independence


Each discipline maintains its own scope while working toward shared goals.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Medical Consultation Scene

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is medical massage?
Medical massage is a targeted, clinically informed approach to soft-tissue treatment. Sessions are goal-driven and designed to address specific pain patterns, movement restrictions, or recovery needs rather than general relaxation.

 

Do I need to be a physical therapy patient to receive medical massage?
No. Medical massage can be scheduled independently. When appropriate, massage therapy may also be coordinated alongside physical therapy to support overall outcomes.

 

How is this different from a traditional spa massage?
Medical massage is focused on function, recovery, and pain relief. Your therapist uses assessment, clinical reasoning, and specific techniques to address problem areas rather than following a standard relaxation routine.

 

Do your massage therapists work with physical therapists?
Yes. Our massage therapists collaborate closely with our physical therapy team when needed. This allows care to be aligned, intentional, and supportive of your overall treatment plan.

 

Do you accept insurance for medical massage?
Medical massage is offered as a self-pay service. This allows sessions to be tailored to your needs without restrictions on time, techniques, or goals.

 

How long are massage sessions?
Session length varies based on your goals and treatment plan. Your therapist will help determine the appropriate duration to ensure effective, focused care.

 

Is medical massage only for people in pain?
Not at all. Medical massage can also support recovery, injury prevention, nervous system regulation, and overall tissue health—especially for active individuals.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
pv connections (25 of 85).jpg

Contact

PC---Main-Logo---Color.png

Hours

Monday       Massage Only

Tuesday        9 AM - 5:30 PM

Wednesday 9 AM - 1:00 PM

Thursday      9 AM - 5:30 PM

Friday            9 AM - 5:30 PM

Saturday      Massage Only (temp.) 

Sunday        Closed

Find Us

TEMP LOCATION:
145 G Street, Suite E

Arcata CA 95521

 

Closed for Renovations

860 G Street

Arcata, CA 95521

Follow Us

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • TikTok

VES (Veterans)

145 G Street, Suite E

Arcata, CA 95521

© 2026 Pivotal Connections Physical Therapy PC

bottom of page