Chiropractic and Massage Therapy
Most people know the benefits of chiropractic care, as well as the relaxing effects of massage therapy. Getting both on a regular basis can enhance your overall wellness. That’s why many chiropractors and massage therapists work in tandem, as their treatments are so complementary.
A chiropractic adjustment reduces joint restrictions or misalignments in the spine and other joints in the body, in an effort to reduce inflammation and pain while improving function of both the affected joint and nervous system. The treatment itself is a highly-controlled procedure that uses minimal force and gentle pressure. Patients typically feel relief immediately after an adjustment.
Meanwhile, massage works the tendons and the muscles of the body. A licensed massage therapist uses techniques to manipulate the muscles and tendons that are affected by inflammation or pain.
Your muscles function through coordinated movements and timing because of messaging they receive from your nervous system, via your spinal cord. By reducing inflammation and restriction in both your muscles and your nervous system, you are allowing optimal function and communication throughout the body. After a massage, your muscles are loosened up, which can make chiropractic treatment more effective and your pain relief last longer. In addition, the soft tissues treated with massage heal quicker once the joints are realigned. There is not a single correct answer to whether massage or chiropractic adjustment should be done first. The answer will depend on the specific details of your situation, so consult your team of chiropractor and massage therapist.
Chiropractic Adjustment first, Massage Therapy Second
- If you seem to require frequent and regular chiropractic adjustments, then having your massage after the adjustment may be beneficial. After your chiropractor has adjusted your joints into the right position, you don’t want muscle tension to wrench them back to misalignment. A massage right after your adjustment can help keep your muscles relaxed and neutral, so that the proper alignment is allowed to hold and stay in place. This way, the benefits of the adjustment will last longer and you might not need to book your next ones as frequently.
- As an added bonus, many patients enjoy having a massage after an adjustment because it feels great! After the abruptness of a chiropractic adjustment, a soothing massage is a great way to achieve blissful relaxation.
Massage Therapy First, Chiropractic Adjustment Second
- If you suffer from a particularly tight muscle, then it is a good idea to have it treated with massage before you go in for your chiropractic adjustment. If the tight muscle is close to the joints that your chiropractor will treat, then its tightness could interfere with the adjustment. Receiving a massage first ensures that there are no tight muscles in the way and your chiropractor will be able to access the joints better.
Whichever order you ultimately pursue, a combination of these two treatments can be remarkably effective for relieving pain, restoring mobility, and improving your quality of life. You can also experiment by trying both arrangements to see what works best for your body.