 Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last blog, we talked about reasons why you should visit a chiropractor. Today, we’ll be talking about massage therapy and its benefits. Many people suffer from issues such as back or neck pain or soreness. Instead of taking an over-the-counter pain killer and calling it a day, massage therapy may be the answer. Here at Lowcountry Chiropractic, we offer both Swedish and Therapeutic massage for stress relief and relaxation. Believe it or not, massage therapy goes hand-in-hand with chiropractic care– You can experience a more effective chiropractic adjustment when your muscles are relaxed! In this blog, we’ll be talking about different types of massage and their benefits. So, if you are interested in learning more, you’re in the right place! Let’s get started.
The word massage is a general term for pressing, rubbing, or manipulating the skin, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. It has been proven to have a wide range of benefits, such as:
In addition, massage therapy can also be beneficial for those who suffer from conditions such as anxiety, digestive disorders, headaches, nerve pain, sports injuries, joint pain, and even insomnia. 43% of Americans seek out massage therapy for pain management and overall wellness, and 88% of consumers agree that massage is effective in relieving pain. Research has shown that massage therapy is effective for low back pain, reducing headache frequency, lowering blood pressure, and boosting the body’s immune system functioning. Massage therapy is performed by a trained, certified medical professional known as a massage therapist. It is performed by manipulating the soft tissues of your body, including muscle, connective tissues, ligaments, and skin. This manipulation is done with varying degrees of pressure, movement, and techniques. One goal of massage therapy is to slow down your nervous system, helping you to relax and release stress and tension. By doing this, you can find relief from symptoms, heal injuries, and support your overall wellness. When massage therapy is used in conjunction with chiropractic care, the two complement each other to bring a multitude of benefits. As mentioned above, massage therapy can help your body respond faster and more effectively to chiropractic adjustments. This, in turn, can allow your body to function at its optimal best. There are a variety of types of massages, and each one serves a different purpose. Let’s take a look at a few. Swedish Massage Swedish massage is one of the most common massage types. It is sometimes referred to as a “classic” massage. It is gentle and best suited for those who are looking for tension relief and relaxation. This massage loosens up tight muscles, so it can be helpful for people who spend a lot of time sitting at a desk or computer, or who hold a lot of tension in their lower back, neck, or shoulders. During a Swedish massage, some techniques used are kneading, deep circular movements, long strokes, and passive joint movements. This is meant to not only relax the body but also increase blood flow and stimulate nerve endings. Swedish massage is also great for those who have never had a massage before, as it is very gentle. Deep Tissue Massage Sometimes referred to as therapeutic massage, a deep tissue massage targets specific muscle groups or problem areas that are causing pain or restricting a person’s range of motion. This type of massage is great for athletes and people with injuries, and can also be beneficial for those who suffer from conditions such as fibromyalgia. A deep tissue massage uses some of the same techniques as Swedish massage, but applies more pressure, as it targets the inner layers of the muscles, tendons, and connective tissue. Although this massage applies more pressure and may be more intense, you should not feel any pain or discomfort. Sports Massage As the name suggests, a sports massage is great for athletes, especially if they have an injury to a muscle due to repetitive use. It is also a great option if you are prone to injuries in general. A sports massage can help increase flexibility, relieve pain, improve athletic performance, and release muscle tension. It can be performed as a full-body massage or on specific parts of the body that need attention. It is often performed with deep pressure and alternating strokes, including strokes that are applied in circular or linear motions. Trigger Point Massage A trigger point is an area of tightness within muscle tissue that is often caused by repetitive activity. Essentially, the muscle has tensed up and refuses to let go. It is commonly associated with people who spend their days hunched over at a computer. These tense muscles can cause pain and discomfort, as well as stiffness. A trigger point massage is great for those who have chronic pain, injuries, or a specific condition. The massage focuses on the areas of trigger points by using alternating levels of pressure to alleviate tension. This type of massage can also be performed at home by using your fingers to press firmly into the “knots” or sore spots you find. Lymphatic Drainage Massage Also known as manual lymphatic drainage (MLD), a lymphatic drainage massage is a gentle massage that helps lymph fluids to circulate throughout the body. The lymphatic system consists of lymph, lymph nodes and vessels, and lymphoid tissues. Together, this system helps eliminate the body’s waste and protects the body from toxins and invaders that can cause illness. It is part of your immune system, and utilizes the natural movements of muscle and tissue to do its job. However, some medical conditions or damage can interfere with this system and cause fluid to build up. Improved circulation of the lymphatic system can help with conditions such as fibromyalgia, fatigue, stress, digestive problems, arthritis, and migraines. It is possible to perform this massage at home by using light pressure. As you can see, massage therapy is an effective treatment with a long list of benefits, and it is especially great in conjunction with chiropractic care! When your muscles are relaxed and your body is free of interference, your body can utilize its natural ability to heal itself. If you have any further questions about massage therapy or chiropractic care, feel free to reach out to us. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of joint or back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a healthy and pain-free life– it’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered!
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 Hello, everyone! This is Dr. Bob Salamon with Lowcountry Chiropractic. As always, I hope you’re doing well and staying healthy! In my last blog, we talked about the different types of diagnostic imaging used by chiropractors. Today, we’ll be discussing why you should see a chiropractor. If you’re someone who has heard about chiropractic care but hasn’t made an appointment for yourself, this article is for you. There is a common misconception that you only need to see a chiropractor if you are injured or in pain. However, this is not the case. In fact, seeing a chiropractor regularly can help prevent injury and pain– But we’ll get to that later. If you are interested in learning more about chiropractic care and why you should visit a chiropractor, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started!
What is chiropractic care? First of all, let’s take a closer look at what chiropractic care actually is. Chiropractic is a form of natural medicine that emphasizes the body’s amazing ability to heal itself. Sometimes, interferences known as subluxations can disturb and prevent this healing process. The term subluxation refers to a partial dislocation or slight misalignment of the vertebrae which can block signals within the spinal nerves. Since the nervous system coordinates all healing and function, misaligned vertebrae can irritate spinal nerves and interrupt communication between the brain and body. Subluxations can occur due to an injury or can happen spontaneously, and they can cause a variety of issues and illnesses. (Check out my previous blog to learn more about subluxations!) A chiropractor uses treatments called spinal adjustments to remove these interferences and help the body function optimally. Chiropractic care is a safe, drug-free treatment for a variety of conditions. Why should you see a chiropractor? There are a variety of reasons why people visit chiropractors– And it’s for more than just back pain. Seeing a chiropractor can provide a wide range of benefits and can help you live a healthy, pain-free life. Here are a few of the reasons why you should see a chiropractor. 1. You have joint or muscle pain. When experiencing joint or muscle pain, most peoples’ first reaction is to grab an over-the-counter pain killer, like Tylenol. However, this only masks the pain– It does not address the cause of the pain. The pain could be due to problems with your musculoskeletal system or alignment. A chiropractor can use diagnostic imaging to help determine the cause of pain, and then come up with a treatment plan tailored to your needs. 2. You have chronic back pain. Back pain is considered to be chronic if it lasts for three months or longer. Again, over-the-counter pain medications can only put a “bandaid” over the real issue. This is one of the most common reasons why people see a chiropractor. Back pain can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from something as simple as sleeping in the wrong position or having poor posture, to something more serious like degenerative disc disease, sciatica, or scoliosis. A chiropractor will use diagnostic imaging and look at your medical history to determine the cause of your pain, before coming up with a long-term treatment plan. Chiropractors can also give you advice and tips for lifestyle changes that may alleviate or prevent back pain in the future. 3. You have headaches. Approximately 45 million Americans complain of headaches each year. Many of them will also reach for their medicine cabinet, despite the fact that chiropractic care can offer a real solution. Headaches can range from annoying, mild aches to severe migraines. There are a few different types of headaches, including tension, cluster, and migraine. If headaches are interrupting your daily life, visiting a chiropractor may be beneficial. A chiropractor can determine the types of headaches you are experiencing and the cause. There are many causes of headaches, such as lack of sleep, certain foods, poor posture, and even subluxations. Spinal or neck manipulation can help relieve headaches, and your chiropractor can give you nutritional advice that may be helpful. 4. You’re an athlete or an active person. If you play sports or spend a lot of time working out or being active, your body is subjected to repetitive strain. A chiropractor can treat sports-related injuries and help you recover quickly from them, as well as discuss techniques that can help prevent injury. In fact, athletes and those who are very active should regularly see a chiropractor before an injury occurs– This can help keep your vertebrae aligned and keep your body functioning at its optimal best so that you can continue being active. 5. You have digestive problems. Did you know that chiropractors can help with digestive issues, too? The nervous system controls the digestive system by sending signals to the brain and organs. Since your brain and spinal cord help make up the nervous system, your nervous system has a direct link to the digestive system and to your spine. When vertebrae are misaligned, they can put pressure on nerves or block signals from the brain to the digestive system. This can cause digestive problems, such as heartburn, bloating, and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments can remove these subluxations to allow the digestive system to work properly. 6. You are pregnant. If you are pregnant, chiropractic care may be beneficial. When a woman is pregnant, her body undergoes many physical and hormonal changes in a short period of time. Pregnancy can shift your posture, causing discomfort. As a result, many pregnant women experience aches and pains in the lower back and hips. A chiropractor can use different techniques and adjusting tables to provide treatment that does not put pressure on the stomach. Chiropractic care is safe and effective during pregnancy and can help manage pain as well as establish pelvic balance. Additionally, chiropractic care can lead to a more comfortable pregnancy and delivery! 7. You have recently been in an auto accident. Many people suffer from neck or back injuries and pain after an auto accident. Even if you initially feel fine after a collision, it’s a good idea to visit a chiropractor to check for any misalignments that may cause pain later. Individuals who have been injured in a car accident often experience intense muscle pain and stiffness, and these conditions can worsen over time, leading to serious issues if left untreated. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries after an auto accident. It is a neck injury that can cause pain, loss of range of motion in the neck, headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and tingling or numbness in the arms. Some people may also experience blurred vision. Whether your pain is acute or chronic, a chiropractor can treat it. 8. You want to live a healthier lifestyle. If you are interested in a healthier lifestyle, chiropractic care can be a great first step. Your spine is an incredibly important part of your body and is essential to your health. In the same way that we regularly visit dentists to take care of our teeth, we should be doing the same for our spines. In addition to routine adjustments, a chiropractor can provide you with helpful information about exercise routines, stretches, and nutritional advice. These are just a few of the reasons why you should see a chiropractor. Visiting a chiropractor is the first step towards getting healthier, so set up a consultation today! If you have any further questions about chiropractic care, feel free to reach out to us. I hope you found this article informative. If you or a loved one are suffering from any type of joint or back pain, you may benefit from chiropractic care. Consider reaching out to Lowcountry Chiropractic! We specialize in different chiropractic techniques, as well as both therapeutic and Swedish massage. Send us an email or give us a call and we’ll assess the situation and develop a treatment plan to address your needs. We want to help you live a healthy and pain-free life– it’s what you deserve. As always, this is Dr. Bob and I have your back covered! |
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