Massage Therapy Supports Chiropractic Care

We all know that when we have a headache, neck pain or back pain there are many options to help relieve that pain.  Our initial response is to take a pill, but which one.  There are Tylenol, Advil, Aleve, Motrin, Excedrin, Aspirin.   All these pills have side effects, some will affect organs like kidney and liver.  Some may cause upset stomach or create ulcers if taken to long or incorrectly.  

There is an alternate way to help with these pain symptoms. Chiropractic care and body work (various massage techniques, stretching) are natural ways to help decrease pain, inflammation and spasms. Best of all they will not have the harsh side effects like pills. These techniques used in conjunction with one another help to facilitate the healing process of the body. Here is a copy of an article written several years ago that states this fact. 

MASSAGE THERAPY SUPPORTS CHIROPRACTIC FOR BACK PAIN, NECK PAIN, HEADACHE

Molly Kallenbach, D.C., says that the use of massage therapy enhances the effects of chiropractic spinal adjustments in the treatment of back pain, neck pain and headache.

Citing several recent studies from the American Massage Therapy Association demonstrating the effectiveness of massage against musculoskeletal pain, stress, and inflammation, Kallenbach says that her patients report that their conditions improved faster when massage and chiropractic care were combined.

The clinic offers several different types of massage designed to treat different conditions, including massage tailored toward helping expectant mothers, and also for patients going through rehabilitation for many types of injuries.

 

Chiropractic Economics, nationwide, April 29, 2012

What to do after an injury

What to do after an injury

With some injuries it is obvious what we should do, I have a fractured bone or a severe laceration, I go to the emergency room or urgent care center. Some injuries are not that obvious. You are working in the yard or are doing house work, you bend over and there is a pop or sharp shooting pain. You could be walking/running and roll your ankle, swinging a golf club and then your back spasms.

You ask what should I do first. One of the first things to do is apply ice. It should be applied for 20 minutes then removed for 20-30 min. Follow this regime for 24-48 hours. You can do this several times a day. You can also follow the pneumonic R.I.C.E.

R – REST
I – ICE
C – COMPRESSION
E – ELEVATION

If there are multiple injuries your body will prioritize which injury is acute, and this injury needs to be addressed first. If there is no improvement after that time you should seek treatment. Conservative treatment is the best way to tackle such injuries. Chiropractic treatment, massage, physical therapy, and vitamin supplementation are good places to start.

Healing times may vary on the severity of the injury. Here at Exum chiropractic we will guide you through the conservative healing process. If for some reason this treatment does not seem to help we will refer you to the appropriate physician.