January 30, 2024
When it comes to physical health, two popular options are chiropractic care and massage therapy. Both offer benefits like improved mobility, increased range of motion, and stress relief. However, while they may seem similar, they have different approaches.
Here, we’ll break down the differences between chiropractors vs massage so you can decide your path to better health.
What is a Massage?
During a massage, the therapist uses their hands to roll, knead, and press on the skin and muscles to relieve pain. These motions relax the muscles, ease tension, improve blood circulation, and encourage the body to remove toxins.
Massages concentrate on soft tissues like muscles, with the therapist targeting specific areas to relieve tension in particular muscle groups. Occasionally, cupping or acupuncture may be used based on your needs.
What is a Chiropractic Adjustment?
A chiropractic adjustment is a hands-on procedure where a chiropractor applies a sudden, controlled force to a joint, typically the spine, to realign the skeletal structure. These adjustments, also called spinal manipulations, enhance the body’s physical function, relieving pain and reducing headaches.
Chiropractic as a specialty has been established for over a century, and many methods and techniques have been developed to hone in on your pain points. If you’re experiencing pain, there’s a chiropractic technique to help you.
Chiropractor vs. Massage
How Are They Similar?
Both practices involve hands-on procedures and understanding common ailments. They share a holistic approach to healing and pain relief, avoiding the use of painkillers that might hinder recovery.
After a massage or chiropractic adjustment, it’s normal to experience soreness in the treated areas. Extra care and hydration are important to flush out toxins stirred up during the treatments.
Regardless of the practitioner, consistency is key. A single session won’t address all your concerns. Follow-ups are crucial for professionals to monitor progress and gauge your health.
How Are They Different?
Despite their apparent similarities, these specialties have distinct differences.
Massage therapy: Massage therapy concentrates solely on soft tissues and muscles without realignments or addressing underlying issues. It’s best for muscle stiffness and tightness.
Chiropractic care: Chiropractors, on the other hand, focus on aligning the spine and joints to correct the skeletal structure. They address subluxations and fix issues at the source, making chiropractic a great option for large-scale problems like herniated discs.
What’s Best for You?
Chiropractic adjustments are best for more involved issues such as herniated discs or other diagnosable problems. If something seems wrong that isn’t muscular, a chiropractor may be your best option.
Massages might be better if your issues are mainly inflammation or muscle tightness/pain. Massage therapy could be the answer to more surface-level issues.
While you can choose one specialty and stick with it, you can also employ both to maximize your health. If you aren’t sure what you may need, consult a medical professional to see your path to health.
Contact Our Experienced Clearwater Chiropractors Today!
If you aren’t sure what kind of help you need, call 727-447-4647 or contact Family Life Chiropractic today! With four decades of combined experience, our team will accurately and efficiently diagnose your problem and create a personalized care plan for you.
About the Authors: With four decades of combined experience, Dr. Jere Jarrett and Dr. Philip Toft are highly educated and experienced chiropractors who serve Clearwater, FL, and the surrounding areas. They take a “whole-body” approach to chiropractic care, looking for the underlying cause of pain and discomfort instead of treating symptoms. Call 727-447-4647 to schedule an appointment.