A Guide to Chiropractic Massage Therapy
Posted on: 28 October 2016
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If you attend a chiropractic office regularly, you may have noticed that your chiropractic office offers massage therapy as well as regular chiropractic treatment. Here is a guide to understanding this service and whether it applies to you.
What Are the Benefits of Massage Therapy?
Chiropractic massage therapy has some similarities and some differences compared to regular massage therapy. The main goals of massage therapy at a chiropractic office are to improve the way your muscles and bones behave together. The massage therapy will loosen your muscles so that they slide more easily over bones during a chiropractic manipulation. The massages can also help to relieve pain when you have a major injury; car-accident pain is one type of illness that responds well to chiropractic massage, since the muscles may have been damaged or tensed during the impact. Chiropractors may also choose to include massages in their treatment plan if you are having issues with mobility. The massage therapy will help to loosen and stretch your muscles so that you can make greater progress during each chiropractic appointment.
On the other hand, a salon massage-therapy treatment may have goals such as relaxation and increased mood. Massage therapy at a salon can certainly be great for relieving pain and stretching muscles as well, but the focus isn't as medicinal as the chiropractic massage treatment.
What Techniques Are Used?
With chiropractic massage, there are several techniques that can be used. The sessions may include some time spent on a roller table that uses mechanical force to roll tension out of the muscles. The chiropractor will also use some hands-on massage techniques, focusing on decreasing tension in the back and spinal area.
Insurance Coverage for Massage Therapy
One roadblock to adding massage therapy to your chiropractic sessions is whether it will be covered by your insurance company. Many insurance plans have specific cases with which they allow for massage therapy. For instance, if you have had a more serious musculoskeletal injury or are suffering from ongoing car-accident pain, then massage therapy might be medically necessary for proper spinal adjustments and treatment progression. Some insurers approve massage therapy for chronic issues such as back tightness and pain.
If you are interested in adding massage therapy to your treatment plan, consult with your chiropractor. They can check on your insurance plan's specifics and possibly create a report that shows why massage therapy is recommended. Then they can seek approval for massage therapy from your insurance company before you begin this extra treatment.