Chiropractic
	Massage

Manual therapy involves any treatment where therapists use their body to treat patients directly. Spinal manipulation has been subjected to well-controlled prospective clinical studies, which indicated a beneficial effect for the first few weeks after the onset of low back pain.*

Chiropractic
As specialists in the conservative treatment of spinal complaints, doctors of chiropractic use adjustments, rehabilitation, and therapeutic modes and perform diagnostic tests. They also refer patients to physical therapists and spinal surgeons.

Massage
Massage therapists use their hands or special tools to knead, rub, and stroke your muscles, relaxing them and stimulating circulation. The blood flow delivers much needed oxygen and nutrients to the tissue and aids muscles in the elimination of waste products, such as lactic acid, that actually cause muscle pain.

* Esses SI, Reitman C. Nonoperative Care of the Spine. In: Esses SI. Textbook of Spinal Disorders. Philadelphia, PA: JB Lippincott; 1995:135-145.

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