Chiropractor vs Massage Therapist
The two most common complementary therapies for relaxation and pain are chiropractic and massage therapy. The best way to understand the differences between a chiropractor vs massage therapist and determine which is the most effective for your needs is to individually explore them, look at each therapy, and how they work on individual physiology.
Chiropractor vs Massage Therapist
Less controversial but more relaxing is the use of massage therapy for treating chronic and muscle pain. The massage is performed by a massage therapist who has been trained to become certified. It is not as intensive as medical school, but most provinces and territories require practitioners to be licensed. Massage therapists not only help to relax the muscles and the body, but they can also help with digestion, overall mood, and sleep. There are several forms of massage, but the most common are sports massage, deep tissue massage, shiatsu, and reflexology.
Massage, similar to chiropractic, carries some risk, but it is very small. Most people seeking massage therapy do so in a spa and rely on the practice’s relaxation aspects. Massage therapy in this setting is usually done in a quiet, dark room with soothing music and aromatherapy to set a soothing tone. A massage therapist wants to work with each client to ensure that the appropriate areas of the body are treated and that the treatment doesn’t become unbearable or painful in any way.
Which Treatment Plan is Right for You?
As with any therapy for severe pain, when considering a chiropractor vs massage therapist, you must conduct your research and find what is right for you. Talk to your pain doctor about their suggestions for using these treatment plans to treat your specific pain. They will have the best idea of what might work best for your condition based on your present medical history and treatment plan. Also, they can discuss the risks or challenges associated with chiropractic and massage therapy.
When it comes to chiropractor vs massage therapist, your pain doctor can often help you choose the best treatment plan or option. Chiropractic care may be the best option to start with, so once the pain has subsided and movement is less difficult, you can move on to massage therapy. Chiropractic care is also often the most effective for back and neck pain. Therefore, it may make more sense for you to use chiropractic care for these problems, while massage therapy generally plays a tension relief and relaxation role that’s used in conjunction with, and is not a substitute for, chiropractic care.
If you are ready to seek a pain doctor that can guide you on your journey to less pain with chiropractic and massage therapy, contact us today at Performance Chiropractic + Physiotherapy.
Dr. Ashley Todd is the owner and certified chiropractor at Performance Chiropractic + Physiotherapy, with more than 15 years of professional experience. Registered with the College of Chiropractors of Alberta and the Chiropractic Association of Alberta, Dr. Todd holds a Kinesiology degree from the University of British Columbia and a Doctorate of Chiropractic. He is fully certified in Active Release Techniques (ART) and treats athletes for the Edmonton Elks and Oil Kings. Dr. Todd is dedicated to helping people move better, perform stronger, and live pain-free.
