Do I Need a Massage or Chiropractic Adjustment?
When pain strikes, you know you need treatment.
But do you need a massage or chiropractic adjustment?
If you’re in pain, you might be wondering whether you need a relaxing massage or chiropractic adjustment. The answer is, you might need both!
Neither has any drawbacks and both have plenty of benefits, especially when used together. Read on to find out how they both could benefit you at the same time.
What Is a Chiropractic Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a procedure done by a chiropractor using their hands to apply sudden force to the spine. It might sound scary but it is very safe. Chiropractors attend 4,000 hours of classes to practice their skill safely and effectively and they know exactly where to adjust to give you the best results.
Besides using their hands and small tools, chiropractors can also order x-rays and make diagnoses of conditions. They focus primarily on the skeletal system, while honing in on the spine. Using these tools and their extensive knowledge, a chiropractor can reduce your pain and increase range of motion.
What Is a Massage?
A massage is a technique done by using the hands to press, roll, knead, and warm the skin and muscles. It can relax the muscles, relieve tension, encourage the body to get rid of toxins, and improve circulation.
A massage therapist uses their training to work with muscles and other soft tissues to promote relaxation, ease anxiety, and relieve pain. They can focus on problematic areas to relieve tension.
Sometimes, medical massage therapists use other tools and techniques, such as cupping, electronic acupuncture, and Neural Relax Therapy.
How Are They Similar?
Chiropractic care and massages are both holistic methods that focus on healing and pain relief.
Both will caution you against using painkillers because they are more of a temporary solution to a possibly larger issue. Prescription medications can be habit forming, while the over-the-counter solutions can cause organ damage when used in excess.
They will both require a detailed history in order to properly assist you, and they’ll ask you what areas are troublesome for you to develop a plan of attack.
The care following an adjustment or massage are very similar as well. It is recommended to stay hydrated and let your body recoup.
Manipulating bones or muscles can release built up toxins that need to be flushed out by drinking a lot of water. Also, your muscles could be a little sore, so it’s best not to go climb Mt. Everest directly after. You can resume your normal day and activities after an adjustment or massage.
How Are They Different?
Although both are trained professionals, there is a big difference in regards to treatment and plan of care.
A chiropractor will focus on aligning the spine and/or other joints to correct the structure of the musculoskeletal system. They can diagnose you with a physical condition—such as a herniated disc—and then create the treatment plan that’s unique to you.
A medical massage therapist, on the other hand, focuses on muscles and other soft tissues. They typically work under the direction of a chiropractor, osteopath, or physical therapist to relax and stretch soft tissues.
Do You Need a Massage or Chiropractic Adjustment?
Now that you know what to expect from a massage or chiropractic treatment, you are probably wondering which one you need for your pain issues.
Because both routes of care focus on pain relief, it is a wise choice to get them in conjunction with one another. However, just like any medical treatment, deciding whether to do one or the other (or both) should always be left to a medical professional.
Acting as your own doctor could leave you worse off than you were before. This is why we always recommend that you seek chiropractic treatment first.
At Oviedo Chiropractic, you’ll be examined and adjusted by one of our two licensed chiropractors to get a better idea of the extent of your injuries. This full evaluation often includes a series of x-rays to get an “inside look” at the placement and angle of your joints.
Depending on your physical condition, we may recommend a medical massage performed by one of our in-house massage therapists. If you’re diagnosed with a herniated disc, your main care may be adjustments with supplemental massages throughout your course of treatment. If your main ailment is inflammation in your muscles, we may recommend massages and a few alignments to keep everything running smoothly.
We have found that massages can help loosen muscles before an adjustment, increase blood flow, and speed healing. The question doesn’t have to be “massage or chiropractic.” They can go hand-in-hand!
The bottom line is that nobody should have to live in pain. With chiropractic adjustments and massages, the good news is, you don’t have to.
Adjustments and massages compliment each other very well and may even relieve your pain sooner than if you only choose one course of treatment. Call us today so we can help you on your way to being pain free!
