Chiropractic
	Massage

Who hasn't asked their friend or spouse for a relaxing massage to ease neck or back pain? While their touch may provide some relief for your overexerted muscles, millions of Americans suffer from more serious pain that requires the care of a professional.

What is massage therapy?
A type of complimentary medicine, massage is becoming one of the mainstays of treatment for those experiencing serious neck and back pain. Massage actually combines science, nature, mind, and body to treat pain. 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. Deep massage can also release endorphins – the body's natural pain relievers – into the muscle tissue.

The most common type of massage in the United States (U.S.) is Classic Western Massage, which was developed in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Even with advances in modern medical treatments, massage has maintained its origins in the four categories of manipulation on which it was founded: stroking, kneading, rubbing, and tapping. These techniques are usually administered using the hands, but in some instances, the forearms and elbows are used to apply more direct pressure and enhance manipulation of the muscles.

You may find that massage is often characterized under the same umbrella as ice packs and whirlpools. However, that may be oversimplifying this treatment option, as it can be quite powerful within reasonable limits. Massage becomes limited in its effectiveness when scar tissue from a surgical procedure has either not healed entirely or is widespread in the affected area making proper manipulation of the area impossible and sometimes even unsafe. Massage is most effective as a conjunct to the natural healing process, but may take several months of regular treatments to achieve the desired affect.

How does it compare to other treatments?
Massage therapy has grown in popularity along with chiropractic medicine, physical therapy, and osteopathic medicine. While these forms of medicine are worthy of investigation and can be quite powerful in the healing process, they actually deal with the patient and their neck and back pain quite differently.

Chiropractic medicine employs manipulation of the spinal column to correct improper placement of vertebrae to alleviate neck and back pain. Using their hands, and occasionally X-rays, chiropractors locate slight misalignments in the bones and most regularly in the spine itself. Careful manipulation of the bones is then used to return them to their proper alignment, alleviating stress on the nerves and, in turn, the pain experienced by the patient.

In contrast, physical therapy focuses on administering exercise programs specially designed to treat your injury. Physical therapists may use muscle strengthening, flexibility, general conditioning, and pain management programs, depending on the goals of the patient. These exercises help develop the muscles of the neck and back to help alleviate any stress or injury the muscles may have sustained.

Another point of comparison is found in osteopathic medicine, which utilizes standard forms of medicine to treat neck and back pain, but focuses on the entire body rather than your specific area of pain or discomfort. The musculoskeletal system is of primary interest as it makes up two-thirds of your body mass and, as such, has the most influence over other systems in the body. Using their hands and eyes, osteopathic physicians (Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine or DOs) look for structural problems and look to correct them by promoting the body's tendency toward self-healing.

Is massage therapy right for me?
Before seeking out the services of a massage therapist, you should talk to your doctor about your condition and what you are planning to do. A clear understanding of your neck and back pain is key to your success as massage is not appropriate for all neck and back pain cases. In addition, you should do some research of your own to ensure the best treatment possible. Massage can hurt more than help if administered incorrectly by an untrained practitioner. Currently, 30 states in the U.S. regulate massage therapy and therapists, but the laws within those states vary greatly. Most states require a massage therapist to complete a minimum of 500 hours of instruction at an accredited school before they can practice – the equivalent of about six months of study. Some states require an apprentice study arrangement for a specific number of hours before and individual can become a licensed message therapist.

The American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA) is a professional organization that has adopted strict guidelines for treatment offered among their members in an effort to more effectively bring massage therapy into mainstream medicine. The AMTA has also formed the Commission on Massage Training, which awards accreditation to those training programs that meet their standards. This commission can help you locate professional massage therapists in your area. A preliminary consultation with a message therapist may help you to determine their standards of practice and your level of comfort. Massage is primarily based on the effectiveness of the touch of another person so relationships should be friendly, yet professional. There should also be some similarities to your doctor's office including the presence of other patients, office staff, and so forth.

As in most medical situations, your general practitioner or family doctor may be your best resource when it comes to the benefits of massage for your neck and back pain, and in helping you find a reputable massage therapist. Your doctors' familiarity with your personal and family medical history allows them to make insightful recommendations and speed your recovery.

It is important that you discuss the potential risks, complications, and benefits of massage therapy with your doctor prior to receiving treatment, and that you rely on your physician's judgment. Only your doctor can determine whether you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.

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