Getting beyond pain relief requires more than just one treatment option. The best approach is to combine chiropractic care with massage therapy for a holistic approach to healing and wellness.
Chiropractic treatment focuses on joints and bones, while massage therapy targets soft tissues like muscles and tendons. Each offers unique health benefits, and the combination is even better than either practice alone.
Massage therapy uses the hands to press, stroke, and knead body tissue to reduce pain, improve mobility, stimulate natural healing chemicals, and increase overall well-being. This technique can help relieve a wide range of conditions including back pain, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, and arthritis. It also alleviates stress and anxiety by promoting relaxation, which in turn lowers blood pressure and boosts the immune system.
In addition to relieving pain, massage therapy can also stimulate the release of endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers. This results in a feeling of euphoria and improved mood. It can also reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches. Massage also promotes better sleep in individuals with insomnia by reducing stress and boosting endorphin levels.
Massage can also aid in the strengthening of structural components in the body, and it can enhance the alignment of joints and bones. It can also stimulate the flow of nutrients throughout the body, which bolsters the immune system and allows your body to heal faster.
For patients undergoing chiropractic treatments, massage can enhance the effects of spinal manipulations and adjustments. By relaxing muscles, it can prepare the area for manipulations and make the adjustments more stable. It can also relieve muscle soreness that may occur after an adjustment.
Physical therapy picks up where massage therapy leaves off and can further strengthen the structural components of the body, realign them, decrease inflammation to encourage healing, and much more. It can also offer a range of treatments such as exercises, stretches, and spot massage to aid in the recovery process after injury or surgery.
Many people who suffer from chronic pain have a complex medical history and require an individualized approach to healing and recovery. This is especially true for those suffering from musculoskeletal disorders, such as back pain, joint pain, and fibromyalgia. Many of these disorders are associated with muscle and bone damage, which can be difficult to treat with medication alone.
Many healthcare professionals have begun to recognize the value of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) modalities in treating various conditions, including musculoskeletal disorders. CAM modalities include therapies like acupuncture, massage, and dietary supplements. They have been shown to enhance the effects of traditional medicines, making them more effective. In fact, some health sciences universities are integrating CAM modalities into their curriculum so that students and clinicians can learn about them and use them in their practices.