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Treating Neck Pain with Chiropractic and Massage Therapy

Most people will experience neck pain at some point in their life, whether from poor posture, an auto injury or one of several other common causes of this condition. A combination of chiropractic care and massage therapy may help relieve discomfort and treat immobility associated with neck pain.

What is neck pain?

The neck is a small but powerful combination of vertebrae, muscles and ligaments that impacts most of our daily activities. However, due to its small size and big job, the neck is extremely susceptible to injury, stress and pain. Neck pain can limit your ability to drive, work, sleep or carry out everyday tasks due to the restriction of turning the head, numbness or tingling in the fingers and debilitating pain. Generally, people experience either acute or chronic neck pain.

Acute – Acute pain occurs suddenly from injury or stress on joints and muscles.

Chronic – Chronic pain is classified as pain lasting longer than three months.

What causes neck pain?

There are many contributing factors to neck pain, and your situation could result from one event or a combination of circumstances.

Neck pain can indirectly occur from common events:

·         Whiplash

·         Poor posture

·        “Text neck”

·         Sleeping on stiff pillows

·         Stress

·         Repetitive movements

·         Accidents (auto or bike)

·         Aging

And medical conditions:

·         Osteoarthritis

·         Spinal Stenosis

·         Degenerative disc disease

However, the aforementioned events may directly cause certain changes in the joints and muscles that lead to different types of neck pain:

·         Muscle spasms

·         Inflammation

·         Misaligned vertebrae

·         Disc herniation

·         Pinched nerves

How can a treatment plan of chiropractic visits and regular massage cure neck pain?

Your muscles and joints work together to create movement. Over time, tight muscles can cause misaligned vertebrae and vice versa. By keeping all the components of the neck in optimal condition through chiropractic and massage therapy, you may experience faster healing and decrease the chance of future strains.

Benefits of Massage

Massage typically addresses soft tissue and relaxes tight muscles to increase blood flow and muscle flexibility, decrease inflammation in tendons and tissues, and relieve physical and emotional stress that may be contributing to soreness. This therapy targets neck pain associated with spasms, strains, tensions and overworked or pulled muscles.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care focuses on hard tissue like the joints and spine. Adjustments encourage proper alignment of the vertebrae to decrease mobility restrictions and reduce inflammation. This treatment also removes nerve interference from misaligned vertebrae, loosens stiff joints, and increases range of motion even after one session.

Beginning your session with massage warms up and loosens your muscles to make chiropractic treatment more impactful. When the joints are properly aligned, your body can heal more quickly. Together, these ongoing treatments have the potential to alleviate inflammation, restore mobility and promote proper nerve function in the neck and shoulder region. Ask your chiropractor about supplementing your treatment plan with massage therapy for more holistic healing.

 

Should You Book a Deep Tissue or Sports Massage?

Massage promotes relaxation and calmness of the mind, but it also acts as therapy for the body by releasing tight muscles and improving mobility through touch and manipulation of soft tissue. Two of the most common types of massage are deep tissue and sports massage. Although there are similarities between the two types of therapeutic massage, we’re giving the rundown on sports massage vs deep tissue to help you determine the best massage therapy for your needs.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage therapy focuses on full-body relaxation by applying more pressure on the deepest layers of muscle tissue. The deep tissue massage technique relieves small, newer areas of muscular tension in the tissue and break up adhesions in the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding your bones, muscles, and joints.)

Patients prefer deep tissue massage therapy for its many benefits:

  • Muscle relaxation
  • Reduced chronic pain
  • Lower stress levels
  • Decreased tension in the upper back, shoulders, and neck
  • Pain relief in lower back and relieves muscle tension

Sports Massage

Sports massage caters to athletic patients of all types, professional, collegiate, and high-school level players – even people who exercise regularly and have an active lifestyleSports massage therapy is a more focused deep tissue massage and may focus on a certain area of the body. It uses a combination of deep and light modalities to loosen muscle knots, improve blood flow, and prevent lactic acid buildup.

licensed massage therapist will evaluate your posture, the physical demands of your particular sport, and past sports injuries. Your sports massage therapist can concentrate on the areas of your body that are overworked or stress from aggressive and repetitive movements.

Sports massage techniques use deep tissue and stretching movements on the muscle-tendon junctions to provide certain advantages to enhance athletic performance:

  • Pre-game warm-ups and post-game cooldowns
  • Heal and prevent sport injury
  • Improving flexibility
  • Quicker recovery time between games

Sports Massage Vs Deep Tissue

For many people, these two massage treatments seem very similar, but depending on your lifestyle, you may benefit from one more than the other.

Unlike the deep tissue massage, the sports massage technique mainly focuses on the areas most vulnerable to injury or stress as well as older and larger areas of built-up tension. For example, runners may need more work on their legs, while baseball pitchers may benefit from a shoulder and arm focus.

The main difference is that with the deep tissue massage, you receive full-body therapy to relieve new areas of pain in your muscles and tissues.

However, both massages apply deep and firm pressure, which may cause slight discomfort.

Choosing the Right Service

If you’re deciding between these two services, then there are a few questions to ask your massage therapist that may help you choose the best option:

  • I used to play sports, but I haven’t in years. Which massage is best for relieving the tightness I still have from my time playing?
  • Can I get a deep tissue massage that concentrates on one area, or do I have to get a sports massage for targeted areas?
  • I experienced whiplash recently, should I get a sports massage session to heal the injury, or am I better suited for deep tissue?

Regular massage therapy and chiropractic care can help heal and repair sore and tired muscles and lower your likelihood of general muscle strains and sprains. Your massage therapist will be able to answer any questions you may have and help you determine the best treatment options for your specific issues.

Treating Elbow Pain with Chiropractic Care and Massage Therapy

If you’ve never experienced persistent elbow pain, then you might not realize just how often you rely on your elbows to perform everyday tasks. Even the slightest elbow discomfort can become a constant annoyance from the moment you hit snooze on your alarm to when you’re brushing your teeth before bed.

Tennis elbow, another term for lateral epicondylitis, occurs when forearm tendons become inflamed from repeated activities that put strain on the elbow. It can progress from a nagging ache to excruciating and debilitating pain. Keep reading to learn about the symptoms of tennis elbow and the activities—besides the obvious one—that can lead to it. If you suspect that you may be suffering from tennis elbow, we can help you with chiropractic care and massage therapy.

Symptoms To Look Out For

The first sign of tennis elbow is pain on the outside of the elbow or forearm, but symptoms can also manifest as a burning sensation or tenderness in the elbow area. People suffering from tennis elbow may experience discomfort when performing simple everyday tasks that require grip strength, such as turning a door knob or shaking hands after a hard-fought tennis match. Making a fist, straightening the wrist or raising your hand can also result in pain.

Chiropractic and massage treatment can lessen these symptoms. After assessing the conditions of the tendons in your elbow, we can suggest specific wrist stretches and grip strengthening exercises to alleviate pain.

One factor to be aware of is that tennis elbow is usually not the result of an isolated event. It is a form of tendonitis that stems from the joint being overworked over a period of time. So, even if you can’t point to the cause of your elbow pain, if you are experiencing these symptoms, don’t hesitate to seek treatment.

Activities That Can Lead To Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is caused by repetitive strain on the elbow joint that eventually leads to inflammation. For instance, the hinging of the elbow joint that is required to hit a tennis serve or a forehand causes strain on the outer elbow. But, don’t let the name fool you—tennis elbow can be caused by many activities besides playing tennis.

Other repeated athletic movements, like shooting a basketball or throwing a football, can result in tennis elbow. As can playing guitar, swinging a hammer, raking the yard and typing on a keyboard. Basically, anyone who uses their hands to perform repeated actions on a regular basis may be at risk of developing tennis elbow.

So, even if you’ve never held a tennis racquet in your life, your elbow pain could very well be tennis elbow. We can help you pinpoint the cause of your inflammation so that you can modify your activity.

Chiropractic And Massage Treatment

Chiropractic and massage treatments have shown to be successful alternatives to anti-inflammatory drugs for treating tennis elbow. After an assessment of the elbow inflammation, we can suggest a treatment plan that usually includes bracing, icing, rehabilitative exercises and massage therapy.

We utilize the Graston Technique, an instrument-assisted practice that treats the muscles and fascia that work in conjunction with the tendons of the elbow. Again, the goal is to get your elbow to feel better faster, and also to help you avoid pain in the future so that you can stay on the court, whichever court that may be.

 

How to Choose the Right Massage for You

Massage is not one-type-fits-all. People need different types of massage to best address their specific issues. That’s why choosing the right type of massage therapy for your needs is essential. You don’t have to do this on your own – our massage therapists will evaluate you to determine your needs, trigger points and imbalances and then personalize the type of massage best suited for you. Following are several of the varieties of massage therapy that we offer at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage, and who can benefit most from each technique:

  1. Deep tissue massage – this whole-body massage is designed to relax joints and muscles. While it is similar in many ways to the better-known Swedish, or relaxation, massage, its deeper pressure aids chronic pain sufferers.
  2. Myofascial massage – this technique concentrates on pain that stems from tough myofascial tissues, the membranes supporting the muscles and is beneficial for back pain sufferers. It also improves blood circulation, which relieves pain by bringing oxygen and nutrients to tissues. A related type of myofascial massage known as gua-sha is also available. Gua-sha is especially recommended for those with longstanding muscle tension requiring a release.
  3. Pregnancy massage – expectant mothers appreciate the relief offered by this massage, as it can dispel many of the common conditions of pregnancy. These include edema – or swelling – backaches, cramping, and overall stress. Also known as prenatal massage, the practice can help mothers-to-be relax and sleep better.
  4. Sports massage – athletes know the effects of a good massage. Regular sports massage can prevent injuries and increase flexibility and range of motion. The massage therapist targets the most vulnerable areas in the individual’s body based on the type of sport they play.
  5. Swedish massage – this classic form of massage improves circulation and aids in muscle relaxation. It is also effective for minor pain relief. If you’ve never had a massage before, this is a good place to start.

Massage therapy can significantly improve a patient’s overall well-being both physically and emotionally. When combined with proper nutrition and ongoing chiropractic care, massage therapy promotes proper body alignment, balance and function.

 

Bend chiropractor Bari Liebowitz using the graston technique on a patient for neck pain.

How the Graston Technique Benefits Athletes of All Ages

It’s no secret that range of motion is essential to physical activity. If you aren’t able to move well, you simply aren’t able to enjoy the activities you love. Sadly, many runners and triathletes experience a decrease in their performance due to conditions such as knee pain, shoulder pain, scar tissue, and more.

That’s where the Graston Technique becomes an important part of physical recovery. As one of the few centers in Bend that offers this kind of treatment, we’ve put together a short guide to help you understand its overall benefits for athletes of all ages.

Understanding the Graston Technique

It is important to understand what the Graston Technique entails before you can see its benefits for patients who enjoy engaging in an active lifestyle. Essentially, the technique is a special form of chiropractic care that utilizes six different surgical stainless-steel instruments. Each comes with its own unique shape and all are heavy in weight. When used properly, a trained chiropractor can feel vibrations in the tool when he or she comes across a problem area in the muscle, such as scarring or an adhesion. This provides immediate feedback to the practitioner and gives them an opportunity to determine where to work for maximum patient benefit.

The Graston Technique and Restriction in Range of Movement

For athletes, the Graston Technique is a phenomenal way to improve range of motion. It also greatly shortens recovery time. Why? This method is ideal for anything that causes a restriction in movement including scar tissue, adhesions, muscle spasms, and other related issues.

During a session, the process causes an improvement in blood flow and tissue temperature while also stretching connective tissue. It also increases cellular activity and breaks down collagen fibers. The end result is a smoother and stronger muscle better suited to injury recovery and increased movement. For avid athletes, this often means the difference between getting back to the activities they enjoy most or several weeks of recovery downtime.

Common Conditions Treated with the Graston Technique

The Graston Technique is ideal for numerous types of injuries. A few of the most common conditions treated with this method include:

  • Ankle Pain
  • Wrist Pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Fibromyalgia-Related Pain
  • Hamstring Injuries and Pain
  • Hip Pain
  • Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, and Related Pain
  • Back Pain
  • Knee Pain
  • Heel Pain
  • Shoulder Pain
  • Scar Tissue

The technique is also ideal for treating women’s health issues including post-mastectomy and cesarean scarring. Other conditions not in this list may also benefit from the Graston method.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Graston Technique is an optimal way for athletes of all ages to enjoy an increased range of motion, better circulation, and a decreased healing time. This non-invasive treatment takes only a few minutes and has the opportunity to help you heal more quickly and enjoy better sports performance in the long run.

Total Body Chiropractic and Massage is here to help you feel your best no matter what stage in life you’re experiencing. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.

Chiropractic Care for Spring Allergies

While most relish the warm weather and blooming flowers of spring, it’s a miserable time for allergy sufferers. With pollen from flowers, trees, grasses and weeds rising into the air and allergen-bearing insects such as dust mites and cockroaches becoming more active, allergic reactions can become quite frequent. Many who reach for over-the-counter remedies and prescription drugs to relieve their symptoms may be disappointed by their lack of efficacy and cost. However, there is a drug-free answer to reduce the sneezing, coughing and swelling related to allergic reactions: Chiropractic care. In order to understand how chiropractic care works on allergies, it is necessary to first understand how allergens affect the body.

Why Do People Suffer from Allergies?


Allergic reactions, such as coughing, sneezing and a runny nose are the body’s way of expelling irritants and removing harmful substances. For those who suffer from allergies, these responses are greatly magnified. It doesn’t matter if the allergen was ingested, inhaled or came in contact with the skin. The immune system goes into overdrive, activating mast cells, which are central to the body’s response. These mast cells produce histamine, which the body uses to combat allergens. However, an overabundance of histamines in the body, which is part of the body’s allergic response, can lead to a dilation of blood vessels, drop in blood pressure and swelling as fluids fill the space between cells. As a result, a plethora of symptoms begin to overwhelm the individual, either localized at the point of contact or in severe reactions, the entire body. Itching, sneezing, coughing, hives, vomiting and even death can occur in a major reaction.

At this point, allergy sufferers usually reach for antihistamines and other chemical compositions to alleviate their symptoms. Most over-the-counter medications are not able to relieve the patient’s sufferings and prescription drugs often have dangerous side effects such as sleepiness, contraindications to drive, and can often exacerbate the problems by over-drying the body, leading to bloody noses, dehydration and persistent coughing. 

Chiropractic Care and Allergy Relief


While no scientific research concludes that chiropractic therapies lessen the symptoms or causes of allergies, many patients report that regular chiropractic sessions lead to a reduction in allergic response. There are several reasons why this makes sense.

Chiropractic care takes a holistic approach to the body. The focus of chiropractic procedures isn’t simply to alleviate pain in one part of the body. Adjustments performed on the entire body help improve blood flow, open and improve respiratory performance, quiet nervous system response, regulate the immune system, and yes, eliminate pain where needed. Together, these results allow the body to lessen unnecessary histamine production, open nasal passages and reduce overall swelling. Additionally, stress on the body, while not a result of allergic reactions, can weaken the immune system. Chiropractic care is known to decrease stress, which allows the immune system to function regularly, resulting in a lessening of aggravated allergic response. Discuss how your chiropractor can help treat your allergies holistically this spring and summer, before they make you miserable.

Preventing Heel and Foot Pain This Running Season

As winter gives way to spring and the temperatures warm, we find ourselves itching to get outside for a long run. While hitting the pavement or trails might be all we want to do, sometimes the initial push off the couch can have some undesired consequences – in your feet. Plantar Fasciitis is a condition that can affect anyone at any time, and if it has been an especially long winter with less activity, you might be more prone to heel and arch pain.

Plantar Fasciitis is caused by inflammation or tears in the connective tissue that connects the toes to the heel. This tissue is what forms the arch of the foot and is called the plantar fascia. When this tissue becomes inflamed or damaged, it can often make many daily activities painful and can become a more chronic issue if left untreated. Plantar Fasciitis can be caused by a number of factors. Having poorly fitted shoes as well as walking, running and standing for long periods of time can make you more likely to develop the condition. There are also certain muscle groups that if they become too tight are believed to promote the condition, including your calves, Achilles tendons and glutes.

Luckily, there are several ways to prevent this condition from occurring. One of the best ways to prevent or treat Plantar Fasciitis is through chiropractic care.  A chiropractic professional will be able to pinpoint the areas of your body that are creating the problems for certain muscle groups.  With assisted stretching and massage that target the root of the inflammation or pain, you can eliminate certain problem spots that may have been a nuisance for years and treat and prevent Plantar Fasciitis.

Other options for treating Plantar Fasciitis are as simple as the shoes we wear. Having well-fitted shoes can be a great step taken to prevent pain from occurring in our feet from standing, walking or running. Signs that your shoes might not be fitting right could be blisters on your heels, toes or balls of the feet. Those blisters could be telling you your shoes are too large or small depending on their location and they could lead to Plantar Fasciitis if left untreated. Making sure your shoes fit properly if you are going to be running or walking for extended periods is an important way to keep your feet and legs healthy.

Following these and other preventative and treatment options for Plantar Fasciitis can help you to remain active and healthy throughout the spring and summer. If your pain persists, consult a medical professional to discuss additional surgical and non-surgical treatment options that will get you back on your feet again.

What Can a Chiropractor Do for My Leg Pain?

Leg pain affects many people on a daily basis. Depending on the cause and everyone’s situation, symptoms of leg pain may present in various ways. For some, the pain begins in the lower back and travels down one or both legs. Some experience pain down the back of the legs (sciatica), some on the front of the thighs, and others down the side of the legs. Then there are others who experience pain only below the knee or solely in the feet or toes.

Pain can be associated with different parts of the body, like the hip, ankle, thigh, knees and feet but they would not be categorized as leg pain, and as such receive specific treatment in these areas. Doctors must perform an in-depth analysis or evaluation to deduce the specific cause of the leg pain. They will want to rule out that it isn’t caused by a fall or some other traumatic injury. It is important they rule out strains, disc issues and/or broken bones that might be creating the leg pain.

One of the more common leg pain issues is sciatica, an irritation of the sciatic nerve, which begins at the base of your spine. It is the largest nerve in the body and is joined to the lower lumbar and sacral regions. Pain associated with this nerve can be felt in regions of the lower leg, thigh, buttocks and calves. This ailment makes performing normal daily functions next to impossible, and relief is difficult when patients try to find a comfortable position. The location of the pain varies depending on the anatomical or neurological structures involved. The pain may be described in a variety of ways, including sharp, dull, heavy, aching, burning, numbness, and/or tingling.

During your initial consultation, the chiropractor will perform an evaluation to determine what abnormalities in your spine may be contributing to chronic pain in the leg. The doctor will utilize a physical exam, as well as X-rays, to assess the problem. Then prescribe a comprehensive, holistic regimen that includes dietary change suggestions, regular exercise and spinal adjustments, to help you get better as quickly as possible.

A Few Questions to Ask a Massage Therapist, Prior to Treatment

If you’ve never had a massage and are considering trying it, you may not know where to start or what questions to ask. Choosing the right massage therapist is much like choosing the right chiropractor, you’ll want to be sure your massage therapist is trustworthy, reputable, knowledgeable, and in line with your plans for fitness and health. Regular massage can improve flexibility, prevent injury, and speed up muscle recovery. Still, you may have questions about how the massage should go and what to expect before and after. There are many massage therapists to choose from, so it can be confusing and challenging to choose the right one. It’s important to have a comfortable relationship with your massage therapist, and we work hard to maintain a comfortable environment for our clients. We suggest you consider asking the following questions before you get a massage with someone new.

What type of massage education does the massage therapist have?

You want to be sure your massage therapist has attended an officially recognized, accredited massage school or massage program. Not all massage therapy education is created equal and this is a good way to determine if your selected therapist has the background needed to help you achieve optimal health.

Are they licensed and/or certified?

It is important to know and understand the licensing and/or certifications your massage therapist may or may not have.  In the state of Oregon, massage therapists are required by law to be licensed. This ensures that the LMT (or Licensed Massage Therapist) you visit has had a basic education in massage techniques, has passed a nationally recognized exam, and complies with standards of sanitation, communicable disease control, and ethics. All of the massage therapists at Total Body Chiropractic & Massage are LMTs. You can read all about their education, licensing, and philosophy here.

How many years have they been professionally practicing massage therapy?

Like any other professional service, it’s good to know how much experience your massage therapist has. While not always a determining factor in your selection process, years of experience can indicate a therapist’s level of intuitiveness. Also, the more bodywork a therapist practices, the better they become at understanding the complex anatomy and physiology of the human body.

Is it normal to have bruising after a massage?

It’s normal to have occasional bruising, but let your massage therapist know if it becomes excessive.

What is your philosophy on total body health as it relates to massage?

This is one of the most important questions to ask. Some therapists prefer deep tissue massage and a no-pain no-gain approach. Some focus on gentle massage. Others look at the goal of total body health and create massage therapy plans based on your specific needs. Before you get on the table, it’s important to understand what types of massage your therapist uses and why they use it.

What’s the difference between a sports massage and a relaxation massage?

A relaxation massage is a soothing experience that aims to relax the body, while a sports massage is more intense. Both of these massages can be tailored to meet your needs and comfort level.

Can I read some patient reviews?

Ask your potential Bend massage therapist or practice for patient testimonials. Another great resource is online reviews, which you can easily find yourself. You can often find a practitioner’s reviews on their Facebook page or Yelp. We encourage you to take a look at some of Total Body Chiropractic & Massage’s Facebook reviews. Also, ask your friends about their experiences and recommendations. Do your homework on the therapist before you book that first appointment.

Finally, if you choose a therapist and don’t feel good about the experience after your first appointment or two, go back to the drawing board and switch to someone new. You know best what your body needs and doesn’t need, so pay attention to what feels right.

Are you looking for a skilled massage therapist who cares about your total body health? Total Body Chiropractic & Massage has three highly trained LMTs on staff. From deep-tissue, pregnancy and sports massage, to fire cupping, acupressure and hot stones, we have a wide variety of massage treatments for everybody.

Gifting a Massage: Best Gift to Give Anyone on Your List!

The holidays can be a stressful time for everyone and figuring out what gifts to give loved ones can add to the already busy time of year. Choosing thoughtful gifts takes time and it’s extra stressful when you are out shopping because you aren’t the only one trying to find the perfect gifts. Gifting a massage could be the solution for everyone on your list this year. Whether your loved one is stressed or just needs a reminder that they deserve some good self-care, massage therapy is a gift everyone will appreciate and it’s an appropriate gift for just about any relationship, whether it’s a boss, a co-worker, a family member, a client, a teacher or friend.

Gifting a massage is a great way to remind someone that they are valued and appreciated. It is a gesture showing you care about that person and it says you want thebest for them, “You deserve a break…You deserve a little pampering…etc”. Most of us don’t take the time to pamper ourselves or give ourselves an indulgentgift, so by gifting a massage, you are giving your loved one permission to takea little break from the usual chaos of life.

There are some major health benefits gained from receiving a massage, and some of those benefits can last for days and even weeks after the actual treatment. One of those benefits are the obvious muscle relaxation and pause your body experiences during the massage. That calm, relaxed state of mind can help jump-start a new perspective and give you a chance to reset your intentions. Massage can also help to loosen up tight muscles and help ease the tension that causes headaches and migraines.

Check out the following list of people in your life that you might consider getting a massage for this holiday season;

ACTIVE PEOPLE/ATHLETES

NEW MOMS

TEACHERS

CO-WORKERS

NEW CLIENTS

Whether you are gifting a massage to a friend or scheduling one for yourself, it’s a perfect time of year to indulge and do it right. Feel free to give us a call at 541.527.7309, or stop by to learn more about the massage options we offer. Happy Holidays!