A Hands-On Approach to Wellness
Whether you’re suffering from back pain or looking for ways to reduce stress levels, a therapeutic massage is a great option. Similarly, chiropractic treatment is also an effective way to keep your body’s musculoskeletal system in top condition and help you get back on track after an injury. The two treatments are very complementary and therefore, when combined, they offer a holistic approach to healing that provides the best results possible.
Chiropractors use a range of tools, including a chiropractic table, activators and X-ray machines, to perform manual adjustments to correct spinal misalignments, restore joint mobility and promote the healing process. In contrast, massage therapy uses a combination of massage techniques (such as Swedish and deep tissue) to relieve tense muscles and improve circulation. Because the musculoskeletal system and the muscles are interconnected, it is important to work with practitioners that are experienced in both areas to ensure your body is receiving the full care it needs.
A chiropractor and a massage therapist have very different skill sets but they share many goals: both aim to alleviate pain, restore mobility, boost the immune system, promote healthy tissue growth and provide a holistic approach to healing. The difference is that chiropractors have extensive training in anatomy and physiology, including four years of undergraduate school, a year of pre-chiropractic studies and at least four more years of graduate school to become a doctor. Massage therapists have a much shorter education, usually completing a one- to six-month massage therapy program.
Why Massage Complements Chiropractic Care
Massage helps to relieve tight muscle tissue that has become tense and restrictive due to misalignment or injury. It increases circulation to the affected area which brings oxygen and nutrients into the tissues, which then begin to heal. This explains why you may feel the “bruising” effect of overworked muscles after a massage – it’s the blood flowing in to help them heal!
When combined with chiropractic, massage therapy not only helps to relieve pain but it also allows the muscles and other soft tissues to adapt to the new position of the spine or joints. This allows the body to heal more quickly and prevents the problem from returning.
For both the therapist and client, a combination of these treatments is extremely beneficial. The therapist can see the progress of their clients and report back to their chiropractor how well the adjustments have worked, and their client is more likely to recover faster when he or she follows a treatment plan that includes both chiropractic care and massage therapy. Similarly, the chiropractor can be more accurate in their diagnoses and treatment plans when they know how the body has responded to the treatment. This enables the chiropractor to be more precise in their adjustments and achieve better long-term results.