Why Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy and manual therapy are key components to optimizing benefits of chiropracticcare. Massage addresses soft tissue problems, lengthening contracted muscles and fascia.The increased circulation which massage facilitates reduces pain, swelling and inflammation,removes waste products and brings blood, oxygen and nutrients to the soft tissue helping the healing process.

But why is it important to utilize massage with chiropractic care? Firstly, adjustments proceedmore easily and with less discomfort after the muscles and soft tissue are relaxed throughmassage. Chiropractic treatments have a better effect when muscle tension is released. Also,when one area of the body is injured, the protective muscles tighten in the surrounding area.Trigger points can develop and pain or tingling can be referred to other areas in the body.Basically, massage handles soft tissue manipulation while chiropractic deals with structuralissues. Muscles move joints. Ligaments and fascia support them. If a joint is adjusted withoutaddressing the related soft tissue problems, the patient could still experience pain. Also,muscles have memory and will revert to the accustomed tension. Repeated massage andmanual therapy helps re-educate the muscles enhancing the corrected structural adjustment.

Therapeutic massage and manual therapy differ greatly from general spa massage. Therapeutic massage is injury and condition specific, applied over a period of time to illicit correction of the condition vs. momentary relief.The physical benefits of therapeutic massage are:

- reduces pain and swelling
- reduces formation of scar tissue- improves circulation of blood and lymph fluids
- relieves tension related to injury, headache, strain- strengthens the immune system
- facilitates deeper, easier breathing

King of Prussia Wellness is dedicated to the complete wellness of our patients, not just theinjured. Massage and manual therapy are key components to any wellness program. I amexcited to be part of the team here at King of Prussia Wellness, working with the doctors,nutrition counselor and other massage therapists.

Betsy Hackman LMT