Massages vs. chiropractor?

Question

I've never been to either one, but my back is very sore. My muscles are tense. I believe that is how I carry my stress, through my back. What is the difference between a chiropractor and a massage therapist? Which do you suggest?

And yes, I will go to my doctor, but it is not an emergency so I was just looking for opinions.

Answer 1

I know a lot about chiropractic, so maybe I can help shed some light on the issue. Chiropractic is founded in the principle that our Central Nervous System (our brain, spinal cord, and nerves) controls EVERY function of our bodies. In order for you to read these words, for your heart to beat, lungs to breathe, and for you to move your muscles, that signal must first come from the brain, travel down the spinal cord, and exit out via the nerves that go to a specific body part.

When the spinal column (the vertebral bones) is misaligned (what chiropractic calls a subluxation), they can pinch the nerves that run out between them, which is really interfering with the communication between brain and body. This causes pain, numbness/tingling, or any type of general malfunction in that nerve's corresponding body part. Chiropractic aims to remove subluxation via adjustments, which restores the spinal column to its proper position and takes the pressure off of the nerves so that the central nervous system may function better. That is chiropractic in a nutshell.

I don't know much about massage therapy, but I think they aim to relax tense muscles with deep tissue work, which enhances bloodflow to that region (?). I'm sure you'll get more answers that can explain massage therapy better than I can.

I am currently studying to be a chiropractor, which means that I sit in an uncomfortable desk for 25+ hours a week, and keep my neck hunched over books while I study (bad posture! I know!). A few weeks ago, the muscles in my right shoulder were as tight as they had ever been. I mean, these things were rock hard, and you didn't even have to feel them, you could see the difference just by looking at my shoulders. After a few days (and people would try to massage my shoulders during class) with no relief, I went to a friend's house (fellow chiro student) and he adjusted my first cervical vertebrae (which was horribly subluxated), and I swear, within a minute my muscles just relaxed.

I'm not saying that chiropractic is a definite cure for you, but I just want you to know that our nerves control everything, including our muscles. If a spinal misalignment is causing your problem, then chiropractic will help. If it's not coming from a spinal problem, then it probably won't. I think your best bet would be to try both, and I think if you did them simultaneously you would get the very best results (some chiro offices have massage therapists working for them). But it's ultimately your decision, so no matter what you decide to do, I sincerely hope that you get well. Good luck!

Answer 2

A Chiropractor will manipulate your muscles and spine, to help adjust / balance the whole thing. A masseuse will manipulate the muscles, and will ease some tension that builds up.
My view is that the chiropractor is better, and more permanent relief, because they go to the source of the problem. A pulled or tense muscle can begin to pull ligaments and in some cases the disc of the spine, out of alignment. The chiropractor "re-aligns" your whole back, so that the tension is eased. They can also give you specific stretches that you can do for your back, to keep those areas stress-free.

Answer 3

I'm scared of and have heard bad things about chiropractors. I have experienced serious pain in my back. So bad that you would think only surgery could fix it. I found a wonderful massage therapist that I swear could tear telephone books in half. (I don't tell her this, but my nickname for her is "Helga") The results were amazing, but you will likely have to go for more than one visit.

The therapist I went to came highly recommended and apparently has several doctors as clients. Don't get a pansy "feel good" massage. Deep tissue is what you are looking for. Concentrate on relaxing as they work you and do not tense up.

Answer 4

RE: Massage vs Chiropractor? Ok, ladies and gentlemen, I have aquestion for you. I pinched a nerve in my back and it's getting worse. I have someone who reccomended a massage, and another who recommended a chiropractor. Any thoughts on this? Especially if you have first hand knowledge or are one would be greatly...

Answer 5

I am biased here--I am a massage therapist.

I believe in both chiropractic and bodywork. Chiropractic has helped me numerous times. I am not a fan of the chiros who pressure you to come back to see them like 3x a week for months. I've also heard of chiros who believe that if they can't "fix" you in 3 or 4 visits, then you need to see someone else.

Basic massage designed for general relaxation has certainly brought me some benefits, but what has helped me most is a specialized form of massage called structural integration, namely Hellerwork. Rolfing and KMI are similar to Hellerwork. Hellerwork has been for me the least amount of time, energy, money for by far the greatest amount of benefit. It helped me so much that I trained to become a practitioner.

My suggestion is to follow your curiousity and gut instinct as far as what would give you the most benefit. Email me and I would be happy to share more about my experience with both chiropractic and Hellerwork.

Answer 6

chiropractors to me are more of a temporary fix. i find that most people will take massage therapy anyday. chiropractors work to loosen your joints so you feel looser. massage therapists actually loosen the bundled nerves you obtain with your daily activities. i would choose massages anyday.

Answer 7

hmm i hear they are good