Chiropractic and Massage Therapy

Chiropractic and Massage Therapy

            Chiropractic and Massage Therapy Chiropractic and massage therapy are popular complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities for pain management in patients with chronic conditions. These modalities have various similarities and differences. First, both modalities are used in musculoskeletal pain management. The therapist can use either chiropractic or massage therapy to address issues relating to structural alignment or soft tissue conditions (Beck, 2012). However, while both therapies help to relieve pain in patients, they focus on different body systems. Chiropractic is grounded in the view that the nervous system is the most vital determinant of health. Therefore, it focuses on the adjustment of spinal segments to resolve musculoskeletal issues. On the contrary, massage therapy entails the use of manual techniques to manipulate the soft tissues. The manipulation of tissues helps to relax muscles and reduce pain stress and anxiety.

The other difference between chiropractic and massage therapy is that the two modalities use different procedures during treatment. Chiropractic involves the implementation of complex joint maneuvers that extend beyond the normal physiological range of motion while preserving the boundaries of anatomic integrity (Rakel, 2017). At the end of the normal passive maneuver, a chiropractor administers a sudden and controlled impulse to the joint. The thrust helps to correct the joint dysfunction and increase the range of motion. On the contrary, massage therapy utilizes mechanical pressure and back-and-forth rubbing on the cutaneous and subcutaneous structure of body tissues to produce the desired outcomes. These actions help to reduce muscular tension and increase blood circulation.

Conclusion

The comparison of chiropractic and massage therapy shows that the two modalities are effective in enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients. However, chiropractic therapy has a wide scope and applies dynamic thrust for treatment. On the other hand, massage therapy uses rubbing and mechanical pressure.