Massage Therapy
April 21, 2009 by DrLauren
Filed under Health Information
Massage therapy shares a main common goal as holistic chiropractic care: to to treat the whole person rather than symptoms through natural, hands-on, drug-free techniques. When used in combination with each other, these therapies are preventative and restorative, helping to address the source of stress and pain so that you may achieve optimal health.
Massage therapy is based upon the premise of the body having the ability to self-heal and regulate. If the muscles of the body become imbalanced, for example, it can lead to a variety of problems. If muscles are shortened and tightened and one side, the muscles on the opposite side may become overstretched, which can cause pain, weakened circulation, and other problems. But worse, this tightness may also pull the bones the muscles are attached to, sabotaging the work of the chiropractor to realign the body.
A massage therapist can soften and stretch the muscle groups, relieving stress on the opposing muscles groups and strengthening weaker muscles, which complements the work of a chiropractor. Those that are seeking massage therapy for pain but are still suffering should consider chiropractic care, especially if the pain goes away briefly but recurs or, in more serious cases, worsens. If your pain is caused by subluxation, for example, your chiropractor may be able to provide you with immediate relief by realigning and mobilizing your joint. And when it’s not being subjected to the stress of being misaligned, the soft tissue around your joints will likely heal much more quickly.
Those that combine massage therapy and holistic chiropractic care, will generally enjoy a faster recovery. And since multiple components of the pain are being addressed, the recovery is usually also more complete.
In this blog, we will discuss the most frequently asked questions regarding therapeutic massage:
What are the benefits of massage?
What kinds of massage are available?
What is Massage Therapy?
Massage therapy, is the massage and manipulation of the muscles and soft tissue of the body. Massage therapy promotes better circulation and lymphatic flow, brings health and tone to the body, and prevents stiffness and muscle injury.
What does Massage Therapy involve?
Massage therapists use a variety of massage techniques, including effleurage (a light, feathery touch), gliding, kneading and rubbing. Massage is done in a private, clean, quiet area with a minimum of noise or outside stimulation. You may choose to partially disrobe or remove all of your clothing if you are comfortable. If you prefer to remain partially clothed, don’t hesitate to tell the massage practitioner. You will always remain covered by a sheet and blanket at all times during the massage.
How much does it cost?
The cost of a massage treatment often varies on the type of service and therapist, years of experience, and treatment outcomes. Rest assured that we have massage techniques to match your needs and comfort levels. We offer 15-min, 30-min, 60-min and 90-minute massages. Please contact us for current pricing and specials!
What are the benefits of Massage?
In the words of Dr. Andrew Weil, MD, “Many people think of massage as an indulgence or luxury, but there is also ample evidence that massage can benefit many health conditions, from anxiety and back pain to sports injuries and tension headaches.” Common benefits people experience from massage therapy include:
- Improves and increases circulation
- Relieves muscular tension and stress
- Facilitates the body’s natural healing process
- Promotes healing (especially after injuries)
- Relieves pain
- Aids in drainage of excessive fluids and toxins
- Restores mobility to injured tissue
- Balances energy flow throughout the body
- Stimulates feelings of well-being
- Helps connect mind, body, and spirit
Other Types of Hands-On Healing offered by OWC:
PILATES
I a, suffering from migraine for last few years and tried many massages with many therapists .What type of massage should i take?
Thanks/-
Jason Webb
wellness massage
Thank you for your inquiry, Jason. My professional opinion when it comes to migraines, is to team massage with chiropractic care. Massage is fantastic for relieving muscle tension and trigger points which has provided great relief for many people with headache and migraine that have that involvement. Often times, there is a neurological and structural component that is contributing to migraines that massage may not be able to relieve on its own. If you have never been checked by a holistic chiropractor for subluxations and neurological involvement, I would highly recommend you look into it. If you need a referral for a chiropractor, we recommend checking out http://www.creatingwellness.com for a holistic wellness provider in your area. There are many types of chiropractors and I strongly encourage people looking for care to research the office and doctor first. If you need any assistance with finding the right place, we will do our best to find a chiropractor near you. Feel free to call us at 317-870-7220 for a referral or more information. Good luck!