As you add chiropractic in your health regimen, you might notice improved sleep, less pain, and increased sense of well being. How can you maximize these benefits in-between visits to the clinic? You can commit to the following things:
• Drink plenty of water for nervous system health
• Get plenty of sleep for cell regeneration
• Stay active for proper muscle tone
• Get massage for maintaining proper alignment
By adding massage therapy to chiropractic care, you can expect to reduce pain, increase blood flow, and to lengthen those tight soft tissues. By manipulating the muscles and fascia, the massage therapist can help you maintain proper joint and bone alignment. When your muscles are relaxed, your breathing, heart rate, blood pressure all improve . Blood circulation is increased and the tension you get from stress is reduced.
Massage therapy as a tool to improve health has been practiced for centuries. Surprisingly, some of our earliest written history contains massage therapy. Both Traditional Chinese Medicine and Indian Ayurvedic protocols use physical touch to keep the body at optimal health.
Now, Massage Therapy can be an integral part of chiropractic care and can be incorporated into chiropractic care for many reasons. A salon or spa massage feels luxurious and rejuvenating, however chronic pain or fatigue can return since underlying cause of pain is not being addressed. On the other hand, a therapeutic massage performed along with the medical knowledge and guidance of a medical practitioner, like your chiropractor, can change the course of your rehabilitation. If you have had a recent surgery, a therapeutic massage can make a great difference in your healing time.
Benefits of Massage
Massage is generally considered part of complementary and alternative medicine. It’s increasingly being offered along with standard treatment for a wide range of medical conditions and situations.
Studies of the benefits of massage demonstrate that it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. While more research is needed to confirm the benefits of massage, some studies have found massage may also be helpful for:
• Anxiety
• Digestive disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Headaches
• Insomnia related to stress
• Scar appearance
• Soft tissue strains or injuries
• Sports Injuries
Beyond the benefits for specific conditions or diseases, the combination of chiropractic PLUS massage therapy produce a cumulative effect.
Massage can boost immunity, helping fend off illness–meaning fewer medical bills and days off work. Better sleep, reduced anxiety, and a sense of emotional balance are just a few additional benefits of bodywork during tough times.
A recent national consumer survey showed most massage-minded Americans are committed to maintaining the health benefits they experience with massage. It only makes sense. The better you feel, the better job you can do of caring for yourself and your loved ones. Using massage to maximize your chiropractic benefits is a great option.
Truly, massage is more than a luxury–it’s a vital part of self-care that has a positive ripple effect on us as we work, play, and care for others.
Want to enrich your health and well-being? Try incorporating massage and bodywork into your chiropractic, physical therapy, and rehab care plan.
