We are in a time where more people want a quick fix to acute or chronic pain. Believe me, I wish there was a fast solution, but that’s not the reality we live in. It’s true that the more you educate yourself and seek out what works versus what doesn’t, the better you will be in the long run. Ultimately, when we choose what seems to be the speedy resolve, the outcome result in most cases is masking the problem or making it worse. The best place to start is finding a more natural approach, a one-stop body shop that will help with pain management, injury recovery and a variety of other issues. You guessed it! Chiropractic adjustments and Muscular Therapy. Why the combo you ask? Well, just sit back and I’ll tell you the benefits that these two treatments offer to help you feel like the best you!
What exactly is Muscular Therapy?
You probably heard of these types of treatments: Myofascial release, Deep tissue massage, Acupressure, Neuromuscular Therapy, Orthopedic massage, Sports massage, Trigger Point Therapy, Active/Passive - Pin & Stretch, Structural Bodywork/Integration (Rolfing).
All of these modalities encompass what Muscular Therapy is. There is a misconception in the public regarding if this type of therapy hurts or not. My experience has shown me that the body is like an onion in the sense that if you want to work more deeply, you need to work out the layers above it… one layer at a time. This yields the best long-lasting results when you have this type of muscular work—it is designed to go directly to the source or areas that are causing the dysfunction in the surrounding soft/connective tissue. Basically, we find the “issues in your tissues”, to better facilitate mobility in the area of pain or dysfunction. In a way it hurts, but not beyond what a patient can tolerate. This work can often leave patients somewhat sore afterward, just like you would after you exercise. This is why we thoroughly explain what to expect and ask for open communication so we don’t go past a patient’s threshold. When it’s the first time getting this type of treatment, it can be intense but the more work done over time the less intense and the more it becomes a “hurts so good”! :)
The perfect combo
While each offers considerable benefits on their own, they often complement each other to create a comprehensive treatment plan for many conditions or injuries. Muscular Therapy deals mainly with the body’s soft/connective tissue, it involves strategic pressure on fascia, muscles, tendons, and ligaments in order to relieve pain and tension. Chiropractic adjustments, however, involve a trained person applying controlled force to different parts of the body’s skeletal system in order to correct what is physically misaligned, to help expedite a reboot to the nervous system to efficiently send signals to the rest of the body to function more properly. As you can see it’s all connected, our bodies are very intelligent and beautifully designed. Our skeleton provides the structural foundation for all of our muscles, while our muscles with the aid of tendons and ligaments move our body around, in which all are encased with fascia that holds everything in our body in its place. Clearly, it would only make sense to tackle pain and disorder issues by utilizing both treatments to reduce the time it takes to heal and recoup to fuller body function.
Muscular work before or after an adjustment?
When receiving muscular therapy before an adjustment it aids in warming up muscles, so the body is relaxed to better receive the adjustment (like those with chronic, dull pain). Likewise, if muscular work is received after an adjustment, it helps to decrease the soreness that some people experience after chiropractic adjustment (like those with acute sharp pain). When muscular therapy is coupled with a chiropractic adjustment, patients will notice faster and more thorough recovery as compared to receiving one treatment alone. So before or after depends on the individual, but getting both done within a 24-hour period will help your body recuperate faster and increase the body’s acceptances of the adjustment or muscular work.
Benefits
Muscular Therapy + Chiropractic care
- Prevention through education, not medication
- Improve blood circulation
- Improve energy + mental alertness
- Boost immune function
- Better posture and joint mobility
- Eases tension and pain in soft/connective tissue
- Increase oxygenation
- Decrease migraine + headaches
- Stimulates movement of fluid + lymphatic
- Improve endorphins
- Improve the body’s healing mechanism
- And many more benefits….
Self-invest and we’ll do the rest!
So what do you say? Will you take the time now to invest in yourself? To have the best of both worlds to come together to take care of your needs! Meanwhile, if you are dealing with pain and discomfort or want to keep up with your health, you can reap the benefit these treatments have to offer. In the long run, you’ll be glad you invested in a better you!
