Chiropractic and massage therapy are complementary forms of health care, both offering hands-on treatment techniques. Chiropractors manipulate the structural bones, including the spine’s vertebrae, whereas massage focuses on manipulating the soft tissues of the body, such as muscles, tendons and ligaments. While each type of treatment has unique benefits, combining the two therapies may speed up recovery, reduce pain and discomfort, and improve overall function.
During an adjustment, chiropractors align the spinal vertebrae to their natural position. However, if the surrounding muscles are tight and restricted, they resist the manipulation and cause discomfort. Massage loosens and relaxes these muscles, tendons and fascia to let the spine move naturally again. When a patient receives a massage before or after their chiropractic appointment, the adjustments take effect more quickly and last longer.
It’s important for patients to understand how the two treatments work together and the benefits they bring to the body. In the case of spinal adjustment, massage therapy helps prepare the body for a chiropractic session by increasing circulation, loosening the muscles, and helping the joints adjust to their new position. Massage also soothes any discomfort caused by the adjustments, which may include muscle spasms, so the patient is less likely to react negatively to the treatment.
In addition, massage stimulates nerve activity to reduce irritated soft tissue. This can help alleviate the discomfort caused by certain types of chiropractic adjustments, such as sciatic pain (pain radiating from the hip down to the feet). Massage therapists also have many techniques at their disposal that are helpful for people with muscle injury or tension, like deep tissue massage, which uses vigorous strokes and deeper layers of skin to manipulate the body’s connective tissue.
The increased circulation delivered by massage also brings oxygen to the muscles and tissues, which stimulates healthy function and accelerates the healing process. This is particularly beneficial for people with headaches, as it can help relieve the pressure on the neck and head that causes these symptoms.
It’s not always possible to schedule a massage before or after a chiropractic adjustment, but it is important that patients understand the benefits of these two treatment methods when they decide to combine them. If a massage is scheduled first, it can help a chiropractor loosen the muscles and fascia that are directly connected to the bones and joints that the chiropractor will be manipulating during an adjustment. This can make it easier for them to reposition these structures, resulting in faster and more effective adjustments.
It’s also recommended that patients drink plenty of water before and after a massage to avoid dehydration, which can cause soreness in the muscles and joints that are treated. Taking these measures can also help minimize any side effects that may occur from a massage, such as bruising or swelling.