What is Chiropractic Massage Therapy?
When chiropractic care is used in conjunction with massage therapy, both treatments work together to create a harmonious effect, resulting in a much faster recovery time for the patient. When the body becomes more relaxed through massage, it allows the doctor to smoothly realign various parts of it. Chiropractic massage has been proven to assist in mending a large number of conditions, including:
- Back Pain
- Post-operative Care
- Sleep Disorders
- Diabetes
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Disc Issues
- Pinched Nerves
- Joint Pain
- Sciatica
- Headaches
Chiropractic care is an excellent method for improving overall health and musculoskeletal efficiency, while massage has a number of beneficial effects pn the body and mind. Chiropractic massage additionally benefits patients with muscle spasms, as well as soft tissue injuries.
Types of Massages
Deep Tissue Massage
While many massage techniques induce relaxation with soothing and gentle kneading, deep tissue massage involves more intense muscle manipulation. Deep tissue massage therapy is similar to Swedish massage, but the deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension. Additionally, this type of massage reduces stress hormone levels and heart rate while boosting mood and relaxation by triggering the release of oxytocin and seretonin.
Unlike most traditional massage that promotes whole-body relaxation, deep tissue massage is often used to target specific trouble spots after an accident or injury has left you stiff and sore, as in instances of whiplash or falls.
Deep tissue massage is used to treat a variety of physical ailments such as:
- Chronic pain.
- Fibromyalgia.
- Injured muscles.
- Limited mobility.
- Postural problems.
- Sciatica.
- Osteoarthritis.
Before a deep tissue massage, a trained and certified massage therapist will discuss the client's accident, injury or complaints of generalized stiffness to gain an understanding of how the pain or injury is impacting the client's daily life and what they are hoping to gain from the massage therapy. The massage itself will be customized to the specific needs of the client, focusing on the stiff, sore and achy areas that are of the most concern.
Deep tissue massage works by breaking down the muscle adhesions that can build up after an accident or a chronic illness. By applying intense, controlled pressure and friction to an afflicted area across the grain of the muscle deep tissue massage relaxes the rigid tissue and relieves the pain associated with stiff muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Deep tissue massage may cause some discomfort, and therapists encourage their clients to keep them informed about their comfort level and pain tolerance during the therapy.
Therapists may also encourage their clients to apply ice to tender spots following the massage. Some soreness the day after a deep tissue massage can be expected, though the discomfort should pass in a day.
Sports Massage
Though originally designed to help athletes perform at optimum levels during games, sports massage is growing in popularity as an effective treatment for sports-related injuries or limited range of motion. Sports massage focuses on a client’s trouble spots, like shoulder soreness after eighteen holes of golf, or a tender hamstring just before a big race. Sports massage therapists understand sport-related injuries, and can help minimize pain, speed recovery and help clients perform their best at their favorite activities with full range of motion.
There are four variations of sports massage and choosing the right one is based on the client’s current level of discomfort and upcoming athletic events:
- Pre-event sports massage involves a vigorous and stimulating Swedish massage that targets the muscles that will be used during the upcoming event, boosting circulation and revving up energy levels with brisk massage techniques that invigorate.
- Post-event sports massage is designed to help the athlete wind down after intense physical exertion, targets muscle soreness and helps to normalize body tissues and prevent muscle stiffness the next day.
- Restorative sports massage is provided during training to keep an athlete at peak performance level. Muscles are kept warm and supple, enabling more intense exertion during training time and minimizing the risk of injury.
- Rehabilitative sports massage is aimed at treating sports injuries and speeding recovery time. Targeted at a specific trouble spot, rehabilitative sports massage helps increase circulation and protect range of motion.
For anyone participating in regular physical activity, sports massage therapy every week or two may be a great addition to your normal regimen.
Soft Tissue Massage
Soft tissue massage is the hands-on manipulation of your soft tissues to reduce tension and relieve pain. Your soft tissues include:
- Muscles
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Myofascia
A soft tissue massage therapist will use different pressure strokes, depths, and durations, and it is less intense than deep tissue massage, offering several health benefits.
There are more benefits to the soft tissue massage than you think. Dr. Powell and his team at the Powell Chiropractic Health Center, serving Newberry, FL, may recommend soft tissue massage for some of the following benefits:
- Improves circulation and blood flow
- Promotes and maintains flexibility
- Alleviates muscular pain
- Relaxes muscles
- Alleviates stress
- Improves and supports better sleep
In addition to the general health benefits of soft tissue massage, this therapy can improve chiropractic outcomes by supporting:
- Optimized chiropractic adjustments
- Muscle recovery
- Improved range of motion
- Better physical function
- Myofascial release
- Breaking down scar tissue
- Reduce inflammation in your muscles and nervous system
We also offer some of the following chiropractic solutions, in addition to soft tissue massage therapy:
- Spinal adjustments and manipulations
- Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
- Acupuncture
- Infrared and light therapy
- Lifestyle support, including cosmetic services and nutrition
- Functional training
We offer chiropractic care for the entire family, from young to old, and the foundation of our practice is based on the core four: Function, Fitness, Food, and Future. Every patient who walks through our doors can expect to be evaluated and cared for based on these four core principles. We strive to continuously educate our patients so that they can live a better, healthier life in a pain-free way.
If you need soft tissue massage therapy to help you unwind or superior chiropractic care in Newberry, FL, then Dr. Powell and his team at the Powell Chiropractic Center should be your first and only choice. To book an appointment, please call us today at (352) 331-9229.
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