Massage vs. Chiropractic: Which Is Right For You?
We often have patients ask us, “I have back pain – should I receive chiropractic care or massage therapy?” to which the answer is oftentimes, “Both!”Chiropractic care creates healing changes in the spine and restores nerve function, while massage is an effective treatment to relax tense muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Both can provide immediate pain relief as well as promote long-lasting health benefits. You may want to consider massage if you feel sore or tight in one or more areas – particularly if it seems to be more muscle-related – and you need extended, focused time to “work out the knots” in those areas. The following are some ways in which massage can help with common areas of pain, including back, neck, and sciatic pain:
Massage for Low Back Pain
Many patients who stand or sit for extended periods of time during the workweek experience low back pain. While some changes to your work environment can help to ease this pain (e.g., switch to a standing desk partway through the day, or use an anti-fatigue mat to avoid standing on a hard surface such as concrete), a massage of at least 30 minutes focused on the lower back can relieve weeks of built-up tension and fatigue.
Massage for Neck Pain
One of the most common reasons why patients seek out massage is to help relieve neck pain, which occasionally extends down to the upper back and shoulders. Oftentimes neck pain is caused or exacerbated by looking down at computer screens, phone screens, and books, and sometimes it is caused by whiplash-type incidents, such as car accidents, bike accidents, or serious falls. A massage can significantly relieve tension built up in the neck area and increase blood flow to areas that have experienced chronic and/or acute pain in order to facilitate the healing process.
Massage for Sciatica Pain Relief
Tight muscles can place stress on the surrounding nerve roots, restricting vital communication to areas of the body such as the legs. Massage can help to relieve the pinching of the nerves, allowing greater communication and – in turn – less pain.
Total Body Massage
Even if you aren’t experiencing acute pain in any one area of your body, massage encourages the release of endorphins, making you generally happier and feeling healthier. Regular massage has been proven to increase healing time from physical activity and many types of injuries, as well as decrease the symptoms of insomnia, headaches, anxiety, digestive disorders, and fibromyalgia. Plus, massages just feel great – making you feel more relaxed and refreshed!
Massage in Boulder, Colorado
Many massage therapists specialize in certain types of massage (e.g., Swedish massage, deep tissue massage, aromatherapy massage, etc.), so make sure to find a masseuse that is trained in the type of massage you need. If you live in the Boulder area and are new to our practice, take advantage of our $28 new patient special and experience the best in chiropractic AND massage! For only $28, you’ll receive a comprehensive initial chiropractic exam, a full review of findings, and a 30 minute massage with one of our outstanding massage therapists. To learn more about the different types of massage offered at our office, give us a call at 303-440-0500.Disclaimer: massage may not be appropriate for everyone, including but not limited to individuals with fractures, severe osteoporosis, burns or healing wounds, and deep vein thrombosis. Talk to your doctor to find out which types of massage are safe for you.
