Studies show that adults suffer from back pain.  All adults?  It’s fair to say that at some point in their lives, every adult will have back pain (in fact, 80% of them have regular back pain, the other 20% almost certainly have situational pain).

There are two great methods to ensure that pain is alleviated as much as possible, and stays away for as long as possible.  That’s by combining massage therapy and chiropractic adjustments.  As a chiropractor in Billings, Montana, it’s great to see various aspects of healthcare work together.

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

If you’re on this page, you probably know what a chiropractor does.  In case you bumped over here from a random Google search, and you haven’t delved too deeply into the procedures, here it is in a nutshell.

Chiropractors help to align the joints, so that the skeletal system works optimally, the way it should.  This can mean adjusting backs and necks (which is most common), but also helping to ensure the other joints like feet, ankles, knees, and hips are all working to the benefit of the body – ideally without pain.

What Does a Massage Therapist Do?

A massage therapist does something similar, but addresses a different issue.

The massage therapist works with the soft tissues of the body.  Often, people will go see their masseuse when they’re having back pain that’s related to the muscles in the back, and not as much when their back pain is joint related.  Of course, like the chiropractor, the masseuse doesn’t just work on backs.  They can help to alleviate issues with muscles all over the body.

Should I get a Massage After a Chiropractor Visit?

Yes, receiving a massage after visiting the chiropractor has great benefits to your adjustment.

After being adjusted, your muscles may try to pull those joints back out of alignment.  We see this a lot when people have had misaligned joints for an extended period.  Their muscles form a memory of where the bones “should” be located, and after the adjustment those muscles work to pull the bones out of place.

A massage after visiting the chiropractor can relax those muscles, so they’re not working as hard against you.

Should I see a Chiropractor After a Massage?

Yes, receiving an adjustment after a massage has great benefits.

The massage will have relaxed the muscles, putting them into a state that’s easier to manipulate.  When your local chiropractor adjusts you, the joints will move easier as the muscles aren’t pulling against them.  This can help reduce discomfort during the adjustment as well, since the bones move easier.  Adjustments shouldn’t be painful, but they might be if the body is tightened up.

Dr. Shayne Durbin is the Best Chiropractor in Billings

What’s the bottom line?

There aren’t very many studies that look at how chiropractic care and massage therapy work together.  However, there are plenty of studies that look at the two independently.  The conclusions are generally that visiting the chiropractor helps reduce pain.  Visiting the masseuse helps reduce pain.  It’s reasonable to believe that together, they will really help the body.

Let’s get you scheduled for the chiropractor side of things.  Call our office at 406-545-2128, and we’ll get you on the next appointment that works with your schedule.  Alternatively, you can hop onto our contact form, and let us know a time that works for you, and we will see if we can make it happen.