Closed · opens today at 10:00 Women
Women
Turkish BathKese Scrub +1
Venues offering Medical Massage
A therapeutic massage aimed at a specific complaint, planned after an assessment, with techniques chosen to suit the goal. 46 venues listed.
46 venues found
Closed · opens today at 07:00 Mixed
Mixed
Swedish MassageMassages +1
from₺1,250 · ≈ €23
Closed · opens today at 11:00
SaunaSteam RoomTurkish Bath
Closed · opens today at 09:00
Turkish BathTraditional Hammam RitualKese Scrub
Closed · opens today at 07:30
Turkish BathKese ScrubFoam Massage
Closed · opens today at 10:00
MassagesAromatherapy MassageBalinese Massage
Closed · opens today at 07:00
Turkish BathTraditional Hammam RitualMedical Massage
Closed · opens today at 11:00
MassagesAromatherapy MassageBalinese Massage
Closed · opens today at 12:00 Mixed
Mixed
ShiatsuSauna +1
Closed · opens today at 10:30
Medical MassageLymphatic Drainage MassageSports Massage
Closed · opens today at 11:00
Turkish BathKese ScrubFoam Massage
Closed · opens today at 10:00 Mixed
Mixed
Turkish BathKese Scrub +1
Separate sections
Separate sections
Thermal PoolTurkish Bath +1
Open · closes at 02:00
Swedish MassageDeep Tissue MassageAromatherapy Massage
Closed · opens today at 10:00
Swedish MassageAromatherapy MassageSports Massage
Turkish BathTraditional Hammam RitualKese Scrub
Closed · opens today at 10:00
Swedish MassageAromatherapy MassageDeep Tissue Massage
Closed · opens today at 10:00
Turkish BathKese ScrubFoam Massage
Closed · opens today at 10:00
Turkish BathTraditional Hammam RitualKese Scrub
Separate sections
Separate sections
Thermal PoolTurkish Bath +1
Open · closes at 02:00
Swedish MassageDeep Tissue MassageThai Massage
Closed · opens today at 10:00
Turkish BathTraditional Hammam RitualKese Scrub
Closed · opens today at 09:30 Separate sections
Separate sections
Turkish BathTraditional Hammam Ritual +1
Turkish BathTraditional Hammam RitualSauna
The recommended order is based on rating and number of reviews, and on how complete and up to date a listing is. A paid membership does not change the order.
The map couldn't be loaded
Filters
Loading filters…
What is Medical Massage?
Medical massage (clinical massage, therapeutic massage) is a massage approach used not for relaxation but to target a specific complaint. It is not a single technique: depending on the assessment made before the session, deep tissue work, trigger point pressure, myofascial release, stretching and joint mobilisation techniques are used together.
The session, from assessment to treatment
A medical massage session starts with a conversation: you are asked when the complaint started, what makes it worse, which movement is restricted and whether you have a diagnosed condition. The therapist often also looks at your posture and the range of movement of the problem area; they may ask you to make certain movements to see at what angle the restriction begins. The treatment focuses not on the whole body but on the source of the problem and the areas linked to it; with neck pain, it is usual for the shoulder girdle and upper back to be worked on too.
The session is usually given on a table with oil or cream; you lie face down, face up or on your side depending on the area being worked on. Pressure varies from area to area: the surrounding tissues are first prepared with gentler strokes, while brief, firm pressure is applied to trigger points. Recommending stretching or strengthening exercises as a home programme at the end of the session is part of this approach.
Session length and programme
A medical massage session usually lasts 45-60 minutes; the first session may be longer because of the assessment. Usually a programme of several sessions is planned rather than a single one: sessions are closer together at first, and the gaps widen as the complaint eases. The length of the programme depends on how long the complaint has lasted, how severe it is and how far the recommended exercises are kept up.
What it can offer and its limits
Medical massage may help temporarily reduce muscle tension and the pain linked to it, and increase restricted range of movement. It suits people with musculoskeletal complaints that have been diagnosed and for which a doctor considers massage appropriate, such as neck and shoulder pain from desk work, chronic lower back tension or stiffness from repetitive movements. Lasting change, however, mostly depends on keeping up the recommended exercises and on everyday posture habits. At some venues, medical massage is offered under the same roof as movement work such as Pilates; this is a practical arrangement for those who want to continue with regular exercise after massage.
Where it ends and physiotherapy begins
Medical massage is not a diagnostic method and does not replace physiotherapy or a doctor's examination. If the cause of your pain has not been identified, see a doctor first. In Turkey, physical therapy and rehabilitation is a separate health service; the medical massage offered at spa and massage venues is a supportive treatment for conditions that have been diagnosed and that a doctor considers suitable.
Who should not have it
Medical massage is not given with an acute injury, a suspected fracture, a feverish illness, an active infection, deep vein thrombosis, uncontrolled blood pressure or a bleeding disorder. A doctor's approval is mandatory during cancer treatment and with a joint replacement, osteoporosis, use of blood thinners or pregnancy. Signs such as numbness spreading into the leg, weakness, or a change in bladder or bowel control require urgent medical attention. If your complaint started after a fall, accident or blow, a doctor's assessment is needed before massage.
How it differs from deep tissue, sports and Swedish massage
Because of the techniques it uses, medical massage is most often confused with deep tissue and sports massage. The difference lies in the starting point of the session:
| Massage | Starting point | Planning | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical massage | A specific complaint | Assessment and a programme of several sessions | Diagnosed musculoskeletal complaints |
| Deep tissue massage | Tension in the deeper layers of muscle | A single session or regular repeats | Chronic tension and knots |
| Sports massage | Training and recovery | Based on the training schedule | People who play sport regularly |
| Swedish massage | General relaxation | A single session | People without a specific pain complaint |
Deep tissue work may feature in the session as one of the tools of medical massage; what sets medical massage apart is that the technique is chosen to suit the complaint and the programme begins with an assessment.
Price and choosing a therapist
The price of medical massage varies with session length, whether the first assessment is charged separately, the therapist's training and experience, the type of venue, and whether several sessions are bought as a package. For details, see the guide what determines massage and spa prices. Before booking, ask about:
- The medical massage training of the person giving the session, and their experience with cases similar to your complaint.
- Whether an assessment is made in the first session and whether it is included in the session time.
- How many sessions the recommended programme has and how progress will be tracked.
- Whether the recommended exercises are demonstrated or given in writing.
To judge how reliable a venue is, you can also look at the guide explaining how to tell whether a massage salon is trustworthy.
Frequently asked questions about Medical Massage
Is medical massage the same as physiotherapy?
No. Physiotherapy is a healthcare service carried out by physiotherapists on the basis of a doctor's diagnosis and prescription. Medical massage is a massage approach aimed at specific complaints and does not replace physiotherapy. For pain that has not been diagnosed, you should see a doctor first.
What complaints is medical massage used for?
The most common reasons are neck and shoulder pain from desk work, chronic lower back tension, complaints caused by poor posture, stiffness from repetitive movements, and neck tension that comes with headaches. The treatment focuses on the source of the complaint rather than the whole body.
How many sessions of medical massage will I need?
A programme of several sessions is usually planned rather than a single one. Depending on how long you have had the complaint and how severe it is, 4-8 sessions, initially once a week, is a common pattern. Your therapist will suggest a personal plan after the first assessment.
Do I need a doctor's note for a medical massage?
Venues do not usually ask for one, but you are expected to tell them about any diagnosed condition. In cases such as cancer treatment, joint replacements, osteoporosis, taking blood thinners and pregnancy, you need your doctor's approval; this is for your own safety.
Are exercises recommended after a medical massage?
Yes, they are an integral part of this approach. Stretching or strengthening exercises are recommended so that the tension released in the session does not settle back in. Massage eases the complaint temporarily; lasting change usually comes from correcting posture and movement habits.
I don't know what is causing my pain. Can I have a medical massage?
You need to see a doctor first. Massage is not a diagnostic method and can mask an underlying problem. In particular, if you have signs such as recent severe pain, numbness spreading to a leg or arm, weakness, pain at night or unexplained weight loss, you must have a medical assessment before any massage.
Should I bring my MRI or X-ray results to a medical massage?
If you have a diagnosed condition, it is useful to bring your doctor's report or a document showing the diagnosis. The therapist does not interpret imaging results or make diagnoses; however, the diagnosis made by your doctor and the restrictions they recommend serve as a guide in deciding which techniques to use and which to avoid. Be sure to also mention any medication you take, especially blood thinners.
What should I do if my pain gets worse after a medical massage?
Mild tenderness in the treated area may occur within a day or two after the session and usually passes by itself. If the pain gets noticeably worse, spreads to a new area or is accompanied by numbness and weakness, postpone the next session and see a doctor. In any case, telling the therapist at the next session allows the pressure and techniques to be adjusted accordingly.
Price distribution
By venue type
Popular treatments
Top rated
Mixed
Swedish MassageMedical Massage
Turkish BathSteam RoomThai Massage
Turkish BathTraditional Hammam RitualMedical Massage