| practors may use different kinds of massage to | | | | applied depends on the comfort of the patient. |
| treat their patients. Massage is sometimes used | | | | This relaxes the muscles and releases lactic acid. |
| to relax patients before a treatment. Traction | | | | It also helps more blood and oxygen to go into |
| massage is done before a spinal adjustment. It | | | | the muscle. Neuromuscular therapy is a treatment |
| helps the muscles relax which makes an | | | | for Ischemia, Trigger Points, Nerve Compression, |
| adjustment more beneficial. The patient lies on a | | | | Postural Distortion and Biomechanical Dysfunction. |
| table face up and a pillow is put under their knees. | | | | Chiropractors may be trained in deep tissue |
| A set of rollers moves gently up and down the | | | | massages. Deep tissue massage is done by |
| spine which massages and stretches the back | | | | strokes across the grain of the muscles. |
| muscles. Traction devices are also used to | | | | Massages are done before or after a treatment. |
| lengthen areas of the spine. This helps separate | | | | It helps decrease problems in the muscles such as |
| the vertebra which decompresses discs and | | | | congestion, tension and spasms. Stress on joints, |
| decreases nerve root pressure and pain. | | | | ligaments, cartilage and discs are reduced. If a |
| Massage chairs are also used by chiropractors to | | | | massage is done before a chiropractic treatment, |
| loosen tight muscles or adjust the spine. They | | | | it makes the joints suppler so the adjustments |
| select the area of the massage and the length of | | | | are easier. After an adjustment, it helps the |
| time it needs to be done for each patient. The | | | | adjustment work well and relaxes the patient. |
| also set the amount of pressure and type of | | | | The pressure used in deep tissue massage may |
| massage technique. There are massage chairs | | | | be somewhat uncomfortable. Soreness may be |
| with traction features. Some of these chairs have | | | | felt for a few days before relief of painful |
| rollers that move up and down that move up and | | | | symptoms. |
| down the spine. The rollers lightly push in and | | | | Soft tissue massage can help muscles, tendons, |
| around each disc which adjust the spinal column. | | | | ligaments and fascia or connective tissues. |
| Massage chairs can stretch the lower body from | | | | Problems in these areas can add to back pain |
| the hips to the feet. Arms and shoulders can be | | | | from other reasons. Chiropractic adjustments |
| stretched as well. | | | | often last longer when soft tissue areas are |
| Some chiropractors treat their patients with | | | | treated. Soft tissue massage decreases swelling |
| neuromuscular therapy or trigger point | | | | and inflammation. Nutrients go to the tissues as |
| myotherapy. This kind of massage therapy is a | | | | waste products are removed. Circulation will also |
| manual therapy which treats back pain caused by | | | | improve with this type of massage. Some |
| soft tissue injury. A chiropractor will use his | | | | techniques used for a soft tissue massage are |
| fingers, knuckles or elbow to apply pressure on | | | | trigger points, Swedish massage and Friction. |
| painful muscle spasms. The amount of pressure | | | | |