Massage & Chiropractic Care

Lower back pain and joint stiffness can be more than just mildly inconvenient in our daily lives; they prevent us from doing the things we normally love and cause what seems like endless pain. Many people wonder if chiropractic care can actually help alleviate and treat pain.

Similarly, I’ve had many of my clients ask if they should see a chiropractor to address pain and stiffness that simply won’t go away. My answer is always “Yes!” I am a big fan of anything that helps our bodies heal themselves and I believe chiropractic care can play an important role in positively impacting the nervous system so that the body can heal.

What is Chiropractic?

Chiropractic is a treatment in which chiropractors manipulate or “adjust” the spine and other areas of the body into proper alignment. Proper alignment of the musculoskeletal system is believed to allow the body to heal itself without any medication or surgery. Another benefit of chiropractic, which is probably why more than 22 million people seek chiropractic care annually, is that this manipulation of the body helps restore mobility to the joints, particularly after injury or lack of back support.

I personally visit a chiropractor about once a month just for maintenance and to hopefully prevent back or joint pain in the future. Combined with regular massage therapy treatments, chiropractic care is a dynamic and effective way to treat pain, stiffness, headaches, and even stress.

Should You Get a Massage Before or After Chiropractic?

Every body is different and the situations surrounding your wellness and medical history are unique to you. Therefore, before combining treatments, it’s best to discuss your options with?your chiropractor and massage therapist. However, both scenarios can be beneficial. A massage before chiropractic care can help improve the efficiency of your treatment because relaxed muscles may make your adjustment easier. A massage after an adjustment can help that adjustment “hold” longer by keeping the affected muscles from tightening up.

Dr. Chris Harlan of Harlan Chiropractic and Acupuncture, who is also my personal chiropractor, recommends that his clients get a massage before they come see him for an adjustment.

“I advise all my patients to incorporate massage care into their chiropractic treatments”, he says. “Massage helps to keep the muscles relaxed so I can adjust lighter with excellent movement. Likewise the adjustment will help take pressure off the nerves which control the muscles. The combination is unbeatable for neck and back pain of any kind.”

Final Thoughts

If you’ve never tried chiropractic treatments before or even if you’ve considered adding them to your massage therapy regimen (or vice versa), I highly recommend doing so. Chiropractic and massage together is a powerful means of restoring your body back to full mobility and to manage and treat pain.