Massage Therapy
Massages have been used therapeutically for thousands of years, with styles and techniques evolving throughout the centuries. Today, there are more than 100 varieties of massage being used in countries all around the world, helping to relieve back pain and muscle stiffness in millions of patients.
Although chiropractic care is not the same as massage, an increasing number of chiropractors are offering massage therapy to help alleviate pain and rehabilitate injuries in patients suffering from problems with their musculoskeletal system. Most qualified and experienced chiropractors agree that while massage therapy can be beneficial as a standalone treatment, it is far superior when performed alongside conventional chiropractic adjustments.
What is massage therapy?
Massage therapy refers to the manual manipulation of the soft tissues of the body, including the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. There are many different techniques, with some of the most popular being:
Swedish massage
A gentle form of massage that uses long strokes, deep circular movements, kneading, vibrations, and tapping to relax your body and help you feel revitalized.
Sports massage
Similar to Swedish massage, but targeted at people heavily involved in sport, and used to treat or prevent injuries.
Deep massage
With slower, more forceful strokes, this type of massage targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue with the aim of stimulating blood flow to the area so that they can heal.
Trigger point massage
Focused on specific areas of tight muscle, this massage helps to loosen and relax these areas that tend to tighten with overuse or injury.
Benefits of massage therapy
Massage has been shown to have potential benefits in almost every system in the body and is increasingly accepted by general practitioners as a highly successful alternative therapy. In addition to treating the effects of musculoskeletal problems such as back, neck and shoulder pain, massage therapy has also been used to effectively treat:
Carpal tunnel and connective tissue injuries
Circulatory problems including Edema
Headaches and migraines
Neuropathy
Pain (acute and chronic)
Repetitive strain injuries
Sports injuries
Sprains and strains
Stress and anxiety
Tennis elbow
Am I a good candidate for massage therapy?
While massage is a non-invasive therapy that is suitable for a wide variety of patients, there are some people for whom it may not be appropriate. These include those who have:
Bleeding disorders or who are taking blood thinners
Burns
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
Had recent surgery
Fractured bones
Severe osteoporosis
Severe thrombocytopenia
Wounds that are still healing
As such, before you can be approved for chiropractic massage therapy, you will be invited to attend a comprehensive consultation appointment with your practitioner. This meeting will be an opportunity to assess your general health and wellbeing as well as your musculoskeletal problems and will enable your chiropractor to decide if you are a suitable candidate for massage therapy.
Your chiropractor will then recommend a schedule of massage appointments, adjustment appointments or a combination of the two. This is just a guideline, and your exact program of treatment will depend on how well you respond to each of the appointments.
If you would like to know more about the benefits of chiropractic massage therapy, please contact our offices where our friendly, experienced team are waiting for your call.
