Sports Massage or Chiropractor
I often get asked which is the best option between a sports massage or a chiropractor, this all depends on the nature of the problem and whether it is muscular or skeletal. Here is my take on things in a little more depth to hopefully help you choose the best option for you....
The human body is delicate, and when things start to break down, it hurts. When your body hurts, it’s time to seek treatment for your symptoms. 2 options include, chiropractic care, and massage therapy. How do you determine what the best course is? Both help healing in regards to your body’s nervous system, but in different ways. Both methods have a common goal: restored health and wellness, reducing pain
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy targets problems that are muscular in nature. Muscle spasms and areas of tension and knots can benefit from massage as well as pulled or strained muscles
Massage therapy isn’t just a pampering treatment. It has legitimate medical properties effective in aiding in pain management and speeding the recovery process. Massages also affect the nervous system through the manipulation of soft tissue. The top layers of muscles benefit directly from applied massage because it encourages the free flow of fluids and energy
There are many massage techniques used in healing including Swedish, Sports, Deep Tissue and Trigger Point Therapy. All help with pain management and all help with the recovery process. Massage therapy boasts benefits ranging from:
Boosts Immunity
Improves Skin Condition
Increases Blood Flow
Reduces Anxiety
Aids athletes
Improves Sleep
Chiropractor
Chiropractic care specifically addresses the disorders of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Unlike massage therapy, chiropractic care focuses on the hard tissue; the spine and joints. Chiropractors are trained to recommend rehabilitative exercises and might even use massage in their course of treatment. A spinal manipulation or adjustment is the most common technique used to treat issues like back pain or neck pain. Other issues can be treated effectively with chiropractic care including:
Joint pain
Headaches
Tendonitis
Tension
Chiropractor and Massage Working Together
Perhaps the choice is not between needing a chiropractor or a massage, but a balance of the two to help your pain. Massage therapy can aid in chiropractic care, acting like a “warm-up” for the body prior to the adjustment. Adjustments last longer when muscle tension is eased. Tight muscles pull joints out of alignment, and massage therapy would address that issue directly. In turn, chiropractic care addresses misalignments which gives relief to the soft tissues. Soft tissue heals quicker once the joints have been restored to their proper position
