Is neck or back discomfort limiting your ability to live the life you want? If you’re experiencing a large amount of pain due to an injury or otherwise, you’ll likely seek out the help of a medical professional. When considering options, chiropractors and massage therapists may come to mind in addition to your primary care physician.
The question here is: who do you go to first?
Chiropractic care and massage therapy may seem similar, as they both can target movements on one’s back and neck to relieve pain, tightness, or discomfort in those areas. They are quite different, however. In short, chiropractors focus more on addressing the spine and manipulating its alignment while massage therapists focus more on the muscles and connective tissues.
If you are still determining who to start with for your neck, shoulder, or back discomfort, we put together a short guide that goes more in-depth about the differences between chiropractors vs. massage therapists. We also recommend the types of massage that may suit your needs to relieve your own discomfort.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic treatment is a physical, noninvasive approach formulated to restore one’s natural range of movement. The focus of this treatment method is on your spine, joints, and musculoskeletal system. This is a drug-free alternative to approaching pain and discomfort in the body.
The goal of chiropractic care is to address any misalignments in the spine that could be pinching nerves. After this treatment, the body can balance to fix itself. The theory here is that messages from the brain cannot be transmitted properly when their connection is disrupted by misalignment. There is also concern that this could cause lasting health issues if not addressed appropriately.
A chiropractor will create personalized treatment plans to address one’s unique concerns and needs. This can include one-on-one help with props, the chiropractor’s hands, or movement-based exercises to address sources of pain. An experienced chiropractor should be able to establish a regimen with you that fits your lifestyle.
State regulatory boards work with the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners (NBCE) to set licensing requirements. In most cases, licensing for chiropractors requires a more extensive educational and medical background compared to massage therapists. This makes them an alternative-medicine option to consider if you are unsure of the source of your pain.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is a physical, hands-on approach that focuses more on a patient’s muscles and soft tissues. This is typically accompanied by oils and lotions on the body to help relieve muscle tension, pain, and stiffness.
The focus of massage therapy is to provide pain relief and reduce tension. By massaging the muscles, a therapist can improve blood flow to the affected area, which aids recovery. Think of this process as untwisting a tangle in a piece of string or jewelry. There are various methods to manually target where one feels tension to relieve pains or spasms directly at the source. It is common for practitioners to have many techniques mastered, and that is something that can be directly inquired about before an appointment to ensure the provider has the tools and techniques needed to address your specific concerns.
In most states, massage therapists need a license to practice. Licensing requirements may vary, from 500-1000 of training hours required, passing a background check, earning a diploma from an accredited school or program, and passing the Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam (MBLEx).
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Who Should I See For Neck or Back Pain?
This is up to you and your condition. If the pain is severe, a trip to your primary care physician may be necessary. When it comes to a chiropractor vs massage for lower back pain or neck pain, it depends on your source of discomfort.
In some cases, both can go hand in hand to support your treatment needs for pain relief. While a massage can physically relax your muscles and leave you feeling mentally at peace, a chiropractor may help with longer-term effects.
Since a massage is non-invasive, you may experience some relief from your pain with regular massage therapy. The type of massage that you choose may depend on your level of experience and whether your pain is symptomatic of an actual injury. For instance, a Swedish massage, the most common type of Western massage therapy, is relatively gentle, but can help release tension in your muscles, improve circulation, and ease back pain.
Those who are new to massage may find a Swedish massage ideal. It is widely available, and you can find a therapist who can come to you wherever it may fit into your schedule. While this method is primarily for relaxation, it should be noted that the benefits felt immediately after a massage may diminish over time, and regular massages can help with that.
With those who are more experienced with massages and comfortable with more pressure, a deep-tissue massage may suit your needs. Deep tissue massage is a more intense massage experience that reaches the deepest layers of your muscle tissue. You may find more relief with deep tissue massage over time since it works to release chronically tense areas.
If you’re ready to take the first step with a massage, Soothe is here to help you manage your pain and feel better.
