How Massage Therapy and Chiropractic Work Together to Alleviate Pain and Promote Healing
Chiropractors are licensed to diagnose ailments, order x-rays, and provide natural treatment including spinal adjustments. They also provide techniques like massage therapy to reduce muscle tension, reposition joints, break up scar tissue, and relax the body to promote healing. Massage is a hands-on manipulation of the soft tissues of the musculoskeletal system to decrease pain and stiffness. Some massage methods include Swedish Massage – long strokes, circular movements, and kneading of muscles to relieve tightness; Deep Tissue Massage – forceful pressure using knuckles, elbows, and hands to release deep muscle layers and adhesions; and Myofascial Massage – gentle pressure applied to the myofascial tissues to release compression and tension in the joints and muscles.
When paired together massage and chiropractic provide complementary treatments that are more effective than either alone. A combination of these techniques will alleviate pain and discomfort faster while reducing the risk for recurrence.
Massage increases blood flow which delivers oxygen to the muscles and tissues that are restricted, thereby allowing them to heal properly. The bruising feeling associated with some injuries is due to the lack of circulation and blood flow, which massage helps improve.
By warming the muscles and loosening them, massage prepares the body for a more effective chiropractic adjustment. This allows the chiropractor to more easily manipulate the muscles and tendons which results in a better alignment and less pain.
Many patients experience a sense of relief after a massage, but this effect does not always last. Combining massage with regular chiropractic care will help the body maintain a more aligned state for longer and will reduce the likelihood of re-injury.
When massage and chiropractic are performed at the same time, they create a powerful synergy that accelerates healing and relieves pain and tension much faster than either treatment alone. This is because chiropractic treats the spine and musculoskeletal system while massage therapy targets soft tissues, increasing blood flow, and relaxing the muscles.
Visiting an Atlanta massage therapist can be a great stress reliever and can boost endorphins which are the body’s natural mood regulators. This can increase a patient’s comfort level, allowing them to focus more on their treatment.
Massage also aids in relaxation and lowers anxiety levels which can make a patient more open to receiving a chiropractic adjustment. This combination of therapies can also reduce the number of visits needed to recover from an injury. The more open a patient is to receive these types of treatments, the sooner they can begin to feel a greater sense of wellness and the more quickly they can regain their normal range of motion. To learn more about the benefits of combining chiropractic and massage therapy, contact your local Midtown Family Wellness today. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have. They will be happy to recommend a professional that can help you feel your best. To get started, schedule a consultation with one of our professionals today!
