| Back
pain, neck pain and headaches are just a few of the painful and
distressing conditions that affect most of us at some time. Chiropractic
and massage therapy, used in combination, form a powerful healing
approach that addresses your pain on many levels. Whether your pain
is the result of traumatic injury, overuse or stress, chiropractic
2nd massage combined can greatly speed your return to a pain-free,
productive life. |
| Chiropractic
Care for your Pain
|
| Both
long-term muscle tension and sudden impacts, such as a fall or
car accident, can pull and hold your joints out of normal alignment.
These misalignments, called subluxations, can disrupt nerve transmissions,
especially in the spine which houses nerves affecting the entire
body. The result is pain or other symptoms, such as numbness or
tingling, both at the site of the misalignment and frequently
at related sites elsewhere in the body.
Your
chiropractor uses manipulations to return your joint to its normal
position and restore joint mobility. Often, this restores balance
within your body, allowing a return to optimal, pain-free health |
|
| Long
hours sitting in a car plus the weight I have to carry
on my belt have sent me to a chiropractor for pain relief
for years. Since combining massage with the chiropractic,
Ive shifted more to a regular maintenance routine
with both. I stay pain free a lot longer,and if I do have
pain its from twisting something instead
of the same old chronic problems.
Doug,
Police Officer |
Soft
tissue components of your pain
Joint
subluxations, troublesome enough on their own, are almost always
accompanied by tension or injury in your soft tissue: muscles,
tendons, ligaments and fascia (connective tissue that permeates
muscles and forms protective sheets throughout your body).
Soft
tissue pain can actually spread because it causes protective muscle
tightening in surrounding areas. Over time, tight, inflamed muscles
and fascia (together called myofascia) suffer poor circulation
and can develop glue-like myofascial adhesions which prevent muscles
from lengthening completely. Painful trigger points can also develop,
often referring pain or tingling to other areas in the body. In
extreme cases, tight muscles can compress nerves just as painfully
as a subluxation. |
|
Why
soft tissue is important
Addressing
soft tissue problems is an important complement to chiropractic
care. This is because muscles move joints, while ligaments and
fascia support them. If a subluxation is adjusted without addressing
related soft tissue problems, you may still experience pain. In
addition, your tight muscles and shortened fascia can pull your
joint out of alignment again. |
| Massage
for healthy soft tissue |
| Massage
therapists use a variety of techniques to address soft tissue problems.
Gentle kneading and stretching lengthens contracted muscles and
fascia. Techniques such as sustained pressure, ice massage and stretching
can release trigger points. Painful sprains and strains, as well
as myofascial adhesions, can be addressed directly with massage
techniques that improve circulation and stimulate healthy separation
and realignment of injured fibres. |
| In
general, massage increases circulation. This reduces painful swelling
and inflammation, and promotes healing by removing waste products
and bringing nutrients to your tissues. Like a sponge absorbing
water, both fascia and muscles begin to soften and lengthen |
|
Maintain
everyday good health
| Both
massage and chiropractic offer preventive care to support
your ongoing good health and well-being. A timely visit
to your chiropractor can reestablish normal alignment and
mobility before secondary soft tissue problems develop.
Regular
massage can release chronically contracted muscles and fascia,
improving the balance among muscle groups and promoting
healthful circulation. Your body will be more resilient
in the face of daily stresses, less prone to injury and
subluxation |
|
Finally,
massage triggers the bodys relaxation response, interrupting
a cycle of stress and muscle tension that can build in response
to lifes challenges. Feeling relaxed and rejuvenated after a massage,
you are less likely to slip into patterns of tension that can contribute
to soft tissue problems and subluxations. |
| Supporting
your home care |
| To
the extent that both chiropractic and massage therapy help resolve
your pain and improve mobility, you may find it easier to stretch
and exercise. This can help you maintain and even improve the
flexibility, strength and balance needed to prevent tension, injury
and new subluxations.
Massage
is also a powerful tool for helping you to become aware of areas
of chronic tension or postural problems, and to understand how
these affect your body mechanics. You cm then take preventive
measures on your own before pain develops. |
| My
stress level is high . . . and caring for my patients
and running a business. Chiropractic has increased my
energy and helped immensely with my chronic shoulder and
neck pain. Then with massage lve discovered how
it feels to relax! Now I notice when Im tensing
and can consciously slow down. Our goal is mainly chiropractic,
followed by a relaxing massage.
Stanley,
Veterinarian |
|
| Massage
supports Chiropractic
You
can benefit in a number of ways by adding massage therapy to your
chiropractic care program. Recovery is normally faster and more
complete when you address multiple components of your pain. Chiropractic
treatment often proceeds more easily, with less discomfort, when
soft tissue has been relaxed with massage. You may be less anxious
and more ready to receive chiropractic adjustment after a relaxing
massage..Adjustments frequently last longer when muscle tension
is released that might otherwise pull your joints out of alignment
again. |
| Chiropractic
supports massage |
| If
you are seeking massage therapy for pain but find your pain Persists,
recurs or even worsens after your massage, chiropractic could help
in these ways: . If your pain involves a subluxation, chiropractic
adjustment may give immediate relief as your joint is restored to
alignment and mobility. You may find that surrounding soft tissue
heals quickly once it is no longer subjected to the stress of misaligned
joints. The joint movement in chiropractic adjustments can sometimes
relax deep layers of soft tissue that can be difficult to reach
with massage. . Your chiropractor can use x-rays and manual diagnostic
techniques to evaluate other possible causes for your pain and can
make appropriate referrals if necessary. |
|
| My
massage therapist and chiropractor have given me my life
back! Systemic lupus and flbromyalgia left me barely able
to walk or even wash my own back Now 1 swim a mile each
day and have greatly reduced my medication. Massage
and chiropractic are both useful, but for me have been
much more powerful together.
Cynthia,
High School Teacher, Grandmother |
|
|
Which
should I do first |
| Chiropractors
and massage therapists generally agree that your adjustment and
massage should be scheduled as closely together as possible. Consult
your chiropractor to determine his or her preferred order. Whatever
the order, the two therapies will build on each other over time
to resolve problems, and support your general good health. |
| Total
well being is the goal |
| Chiropractic
are compatible holistic therapies that share the goal of your
total well-being, not simply an absence of illness. Both offer
natural, hands-on, drug-free techniques. They can be used as preventive
as well as restorative therapies. Both work to resolve the cause
of your pain rather than treat isolated symptoms. Used in combination,
they can help you maintain your optimum health and enjoy life
to the fullest.
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