What is Budzek Medical Massage Therapy?

Budzek Medical Massage Therapy™ is a multi-modality form of bodywork. Developed by Jeffrey Budzeky, a registered nurse, certified bodywork therapist, and yoga instructor, the Budzek method of massage therapy utilizes at least a dozen different hands-on techniques to address nine distinct aspects that may negatively affect the fascial (musculoskeletal) system.

The focus of Budzek Medical Massage Therapy™ is to alleviate chronic pain experienced by those who suffer from a disorder or injury involving the joints, muscles, or nerves. In working toward this goal, massage therapists have relied on the classic pain spasm cycle model to determine how to address chronic pain for years. However, Budzek Medical Massage Therapy™ draws upon an extended version of this model, which Budzeky calls the "musculoskeletal pain cycle."

The musculoskeletal pain cycle proposed by Budzeky includes nine components, any one of which may trigger an imbalance in another area, contributing to persistence of the pain cycle. The components for consideration include emotional and/or physical stress, increased neural activity, joint compression, muscle tension, fascial adhesions, diminished circulation, trigger points, and impaired movement. Pain is also included as a component since it can facilitate further biomechanical dysfunction, as well as increase neural activity and the expression of stress hormones.

Therapists trained in Budzek Medical Massage Therapy™ techniques employ this nine-point model of the pain cycle to simultaneously focus on all of the aspects that can impact the musculoskeletal system, rather than one or a few. In fact, this is where the value of the multi-modality approach of Budzek Medical Massage Therapy™ lies. Budzeky’s model of the pain cycle also assists the therapist in developing an appropriate treatment plan in terms of the sequence and duration of the modalities used according to the individual’s needs.

The Budzek Medical Massage Therapy™ treatment plan may include a wide variety of techniques to break the pain cycle and promote healing. For instance, the goal of fascial therapy (also called myofascial therapy) is to release restrictions and congestion of connective tissue. Trigger point therapy is aimed toward alleviating muscle tension and stress on the sympathetic nervous system. Swedish massage, yoga, stretching, and deep muscle massage target joint compression, fascial adhesions, and emotional and physical stress, while improving circulation.

Many different conditions may be treated with Budzek Medical Massage Therapy™. In addition to age-related joint dysfunction and injury, this form of bodywork is also used to treat physical conditions such as carpal tunnel, sciatica, lumbago, arthritis, and bursitis. However, since Budzek Medical Massage Therapy™ involves a multi-modality approach to healing and wellness, it may also be beneficial in treating diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, and infertility, among other disorders.