Did you know that there are many benefits from combining clinical massage and chiropractic care? These two techniques work together to ensure faster healing. Before we delve into the benefits of combining clinical massage with chiropractic care, we should point out the goals of each type of treatment.

• Chiropractic care is a form of treatment that addresses disorders of the nervous system and the muscles. Methods of chiropractic care include gentle spinal manipulation, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and the use of other therapies such as electrical stimulation and traction.

• Clinical massage, on the other hand, is a form of therapeutic treatment whose main use is to alleviate pain and tightness from muscle spasms, tight muscles and postural dysfunction.

When chiropractic care and medical massage therapy are used together, there are many benefits for those who have neck and back pain. Medical massage therapy can help to increase the success of chiropractic treatment. It does this by relaxing the nervous system and the muscles. Moreover, these two types of treatment can help to alleviate pain registered after connective tissues and muscles in the body become tense. Both the chiropractor and the massage therapist target treatment to the source of the pain to help ensure that this pain is relieved.

The most effective type of massage therapy for lower back pain is neuromuscular therapy. Neuromuscular therapy is also called trigger point myotherapy. The American Academy of Pain Management recognizes this form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain caused by soft tissue injury (such as a muscle strain).

Neuromuscular massage therapy is a form of soft tissue manipulation that aims to treat underlying causes of chronic pain involving the muscular and nervous systems. This medically-oriented form of massage addresses trigger points (tender muscles points), circulation, nerve compression, postural issues, and biomechanical problems that can be caused by repetitive movement injuries.

Deep tissue massage is best for giving attention to certain painful, stiff “trouble spots” in your body. The massage therapist uses slow, deliberate strokes that focus pressure on layers of muscles, tendons, or other tissues deep under your skin. Though less rhythmic than other types of massage, deep tissue massage can be quite therapeutic — relieving chronic patterns of tension and helping with muscle injuries, such as back sprain.

A Swedish massage includes lubrication of the skin with massage oil and a series of massage strokes that are designed to promote relaxation.

Massage strokes commonly used in a Swedish massage include effleurage, petrissage, friction and tapotement. Effleurage is a type of stroke that is smooth and gliding, meant to relax the muscle tissue. Petrissage is a squeezing, rolling and kneading motion that comes after the relaxing technique. Friction consists of a deep circular movement. This causes layers of tissue to rub against each other, which increases blood flow and breaks down scar tissue.

Tapotement is a short and alternating tapping motion performed with cupped hands or fingers. Swedish massage also includes movement of the joints and can help certain injuries. It is known to be relaxing as well as energizing.

Developed to help with muscle systems used for a particular sport, sports massage uses a variety of approaches to help athletes in training before, during, or after sports events. You might use it to promote flexibility and help prevent injuries. Or, it may help muscle strains, aiding healing after a sports injury.