Massage Therapy vs. Chiropractic

If you are anything like me, you probably prefer staying away from providers of conventional Western medicine as much as possible and I cannot say that I blame you.

Although I have full medical coverage for that “you never know when you might need it” time of my life, I have not seen any of my Blue Cross doctors in well over ten years, and I hope to continue not seeing them for the rest of my life. Please do not miss understand me and think that I am some sort of superhuman creature who never gets ill. I do have my weak moments of pain and sniffles just like everyone else, or at least everyone else who takes good care of him or herself. So, when my body seems to need a boost, I visit one of my two favorite practitioners of alternative medicine; my massage therapist or my chiropractor.

I know that it all sounds very simple and straight forward but it is, in fact, somewhat challenging at times, because I do not always know which one of these wonderful professional to seek out. So, I often first opt to visit my chiropractor for a good therapeutic session of adjusting and aligning my skeletal structure and then, as an extra bonus to me and my one and only body, I also make an appointment with my massage therapist for some hefty digging and rubbing. Between the two of them, I come out feeling like a million bucks although my finances are sadly depleted. I figure that we, my body and I, are worth it.

Now, you might ask and rightfully so, “What is the difference between a massage therapy and chiropractic therapy?” Well, I will be happy to tell you:

* Chiropractic Therapy.

- For the most part, chiropractic therapy focuses on the hard tissues such as the spine and other joints for adjusting and realignment. Chiropractors have some training in massage techniques but that is never their first and foremost priority.

- Chiropractors are authorized to make medical diagnosis, order x-rays or blood works.

- Chiropractors cannot prescribe conventional medications but they can sell supplements or homeopathic remedies.

- Chiropractors do not need medical referrals to perform their work.

* Massage Therapy.

- Massage therapists perform wonderful work on the soft body tissues such as the muscles, tendons and ligaments but they have not been trained nor are they licensed to adjust the spine or any other joints.

- Massage therapists may not legally make medical diagnosis, order x-rays or any blood work.

- Massage therapists are not permitted to dispense medications of Western medicine but they can and do provide or recommend alternative herbal remedies.

- Massage Therapists do not required referrals from anyone to conduct their massage sessions.

A highly acclaimed national non-profit magazine recently conducted a study in which more than 34,000 participants in the United States were asked to rate which alternative treatments worked best for their two biggest health problems for the past two years and the overwhelming majority voted just as I would have; for deep tissue massage therapy and chiropractic therapy in equal measures for such conditions as back pain, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, respiratory problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, insomnia and prostate problems.

Of course, as far as alternative medicine is concerned, one should not discount acupuncture and reflexology for they too are beneficial in their own very special ways.

Is Chiropractic Care Safe?

Regardless of the cause, if you suffer from pain and discomfort, you might hear that chiropractic care can get you relief. You may have heard this suggestion from someone you know or read it online.

Yes, chiropractic care is ideal for treating all pain related issues. Instead of masking the pain with prescribed medications, chiropractors go directly to the source and treat the problem. They usually do so with chiropractic adjustments, therapeutic massages, and chiropractic realignments.

As nice as it is to know that chiropractic care can translate into pain relief, you may have some concerns. Chiropractic adjustments and alignments sound like difficult procedures. Truthfully, they aren’t if preformed by a trained and licensed chiropractor. Still, you may have concerns. You may wonder if chiropractic care is safe. Is it? Yes. Why? Continue reading on to find out!

Chiropractic care is natural, not artificial. As previously stated, most primary care physicians recommend rest and medication for pain relief. Rest is natural, but prescribed and over-the-counter pain relievers are not. They have many side effects and risks. You want to treat pain, not create a new set of problems to deal with. Since chiropractors provide treatment and therapy with the hands, it is natural treatment. As you already know, natural is less risky and safe.

No medications are prescribed. As mentioned above, chiropractors do not prescribe medication. Yes, they cannot legally, but most would avoid doing so anyways. If additional help is needed, they turn to natural remedies and supplements, but even that is rare. Remember, therapy and treatment is provided by the hands. Since there are no medications, you do not need to worry about the risk. There is no wondering if it is safe to take your medication and drive. There is no wondering if your medicine will make you drowsy and fall asleep at work. There is no worrying that your new medication with interact with your others. No medication automatically translates into safer care.

Chiropractic care has no side effects, only positive effects. Over-the-counter and prescribed pain relievers are not all that has side effects. Surgery has them too. A therapeutic massage and manual manipulation of a joint or the spine has little to no risk. And, since this therapy is once again provided by the hands, there are no side effects.

Care is non-invasive. When seeking treatment and relief of pain, chiropractors will diagnose a problem and treat it. Occasionally, the pain may result from a fracture or a more serious medical complication. If surgery is needed, you will be referred to a qualified surgeon, but this is rare. Most can treat you with their hands, training, experience, and nothing more. Since chiropractic care is non-invasive, there are fewer risks. It is safe. There is no cutting of the skin or the drawing of blood. It is safe because there are no risks of complications, further injury, or infection.

Chiropractic care has less recovery time. In fact, there may be none! This is because you will not need surgery or dangerous pain medication. Within a few sessions, your pain and be treated and it will subside, possibly permanently. Almost all procedures are performed in an office, not a hospital. You are free to leave afterwards. After a spinal or neck adjustment you may need a small amount of therapy and you may need to reduce strenuous activity, but it is much better than being stuck in a hospital bed for days or weeks.

In conclusion, chiropractic care is safe. Not only that, but it is ideal for individuals of all ages, including the old, the young, and pregnant women.

Chiropractic Care: Payment Options

Are you experiencing pain, discomfort, or decreased mobility? Whatever the cause or if you are unsure, you should seek chiropractic care. This care is 100% natural and has many benefits. What are they?

As previously stated, chiropractic care is natural. It involves manual therapy, also known as hand therapy. A chiropractor may use an MRI or x-rays to diagnose a problem, but that is it. Therapeutic massages, fusions, alignments, and adjustments are done with the hands and precision force. Chiropractors believe that pain needs to stop, but they do more than just mask the pain with medication. In fact, they do not prescribe medication. Instead, they go directly to the source and fix the problem.

If you like the sound of chiropractic care, you may be ready to seek relief. You will want to call and schedule an appointment with a local care provider, but what about payment. How will you pay for treatment? It depends on the care center in question, but you should have a number of options.

Before worrying about how you intend to pay for a chiropractor, consider insurance. Do you have health insurance? If so, contact your insurance provider immediately. Many insurance providers are now embracing chiropractic care. They realize the benefits and decreased costs of natural relief. If your insurance coverage includes chiropractors, examine your options. Are you free to choose any provider that accepts your insurance or must you opt for a special in-network doctor?

If you have medical coverage, determine how much is covered. You may be required to pay 20% of the bill or have an affordable $10 co-pay. If you do not have medical coverage, you will need to cover the entire cost yourself and out-of-pocket. What are your options?

Personal checks. Most chiropractors do accept personal checks as a method of payment. They realize that consumers prefer these checks to carrying around cash. Checks are ideal, as you receive an additional receipt. There is record that you paid your bill.

Credit cards. Not all chiropractors accept credit cards as a method of payment. This is usually due to fees. Credit cards fees can be costly. If your care provider does accept credit cards, only use them as a last resort. The cost of treatment can significantly increase with high interest rates and late fees.

Debit cards. If a chiropractor accepts credit cards, they should also accept debit cards, also known as bank cards. These cards will need to be processed as credit, but the funds will be withdrawn from your bank immediately. If you rarely carry personal checks, a debit card is a quick and easy way to pay for treatment.

Cash. All chiropractors should accept cash. They are ideal for low amounts, such as when you are only responsible for an insurance co-pay. Most chiropractic treatments are affordable. Unless paying an overdue balance, you will not need to have thousands of dollars on hand. If you are unsure which methods of payment your provider accepts, always bring cash.

You now know what forms of payment most chiropractors accept, but you may have affordability concerns. How will you pay your bills?

In full. Most chiropractors require payment made in full after each appointment. As previously stated, this will not be high. A little bit of planning and preparation can do the trick. At your first appointment, your chiropractor may recommend a later appointment for a therapeutic massage or adjustment. Inquire about costs. You will only get an estimate, but you should have a week or two to save that money.

Payment plan. As previously stated, most chiropractors prefer payment in full after each appointment. This lowers their risk of losing money. There may be some exceptions, especially with long-term care. If you need treatment, like if you are in severe pain and your chiropractor knows this, they may be willing to make an exception. That exception could include monthly or weekly payment plans.

The Benefits of Chiropractic Care

You may have heard that chiropractic care has many benefits, especially when compared to traditional forms of healthcare. Although chiropractic care is increasing in popularity and is being accepted as a valid form of healthcare, as opposed to just alternative medicine, you may wonder about the claims. Are they true? What are the benefits of seeing a chiropractor?

The pain stops. Most patients experience a significant reduction, if not a complete elimination in pain after seeing a chiropractor. It all depends on the individual in question, the source of their problem, and the treatment offered. Those suffering from osteoarthritis are always susceptible to pain, as there is no cure. With that said, therapeutic massages overtime can help relieve the pain. Headaches caused by spinal distortion can be treated with a onetime neck adjustment.

Mobility improves. Chiropractors specialize in helping those in pain and those with decreased mobility. Often times, a joint just needs to be popped into place. This sounds simple enough, but the technical term is a chiropractic adjustment. When the joints are in proper alignment with the spine, they work better. So, patients typically experience an improvement in mobility and movement.

Can treat a wide range of complications that cause pain and discomfort. When it comes to pain and discomfort, we often think of car accidents and sports injuries. Many medical conditions cause pain or discomfort. Arthritis was used as an example above. Additional problems that chiropractic care can treat include sleep difficulties, allergies, scoliosis, earaches, severe menstrual cramps, and headaches.

The symptoms aren’t masked. When visiting a primary care physician to seek pain relief, most just recommend over-the-counter or prescribed pain pills. These are not a solution. They temporarily mask the problem, not treat it. Chiropractic care is based on the belief that natural care is best. It relies on manual therapy. With the use of the hands, a trained professional cannot only relieve pain, but stop the problem at the source.

Chiropractic care is a form of natural medicine. A chiropractor will not discourage patients from seeking temporary relief from over-the-counter pain products, but the focus is temporary. It should only be used until a chiropractor can see a patient. Also, these professionals do not prescribed medication. Yes, they cannot do so legally, but they do not feel the need to. Treatment and care involves the hands, not unnatural medicines.

Chiropractic care is safe. As previously stated, chiropractic care is a form of natural healthcare. You are not prescribed medications and you will not have your blood drawn. A doctor may use an MRI or an x-ray to diagnose a problem, but that is about it. The hands and the hands alone perform treatment. For that reason, there are no risks of complication, death, or infection. You are not discouraged from seeing your primary care physician for other medical issues, but if it involves pain, discomfort, and difficulty moving, a chiropractor is the safest way to seek treatment.

It is ideal for individuals of all ages. Most primary care physicians suggest medicine, but there are many risk and side effects. This is particularly true for young children and the elderly. Many prescribed medications provide only temporarily relief and they have many side effects. These medications may interact with others, causing additional complications. Since chiropractic care is 100% natural, there are no risks. This means that care is ideal for individuals of all ages, including the young, the elderly and pregnant women.

Chiropractors are well educated and trained professionals. One mistake that people make is thinking they can perform chiropractic care at home. After all, it involves the use of hands and we have them. Yes, this is true, but there are many dangers to performing this care at home, especially with chiropractic adjustments. One wrong move and a lot of damage could result. Chiropractors operating in the United States are trained individuals who have received the proper schooling and undergone the proper tests. Always opt for a Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.), as you get the best and safest level of care.

Chiropractic Care: What If Your Primary Care Physician Says No

Here is the scenario: You are suffering painful, recurring migraines. You head to your primary care physician. They prescribe pain medication to treat your migraine headaches. You are sent on your way to deal with the pain as it returns. You stop and think “maybe this isn’t right.” You ask your primary care physician about chiropractic care. They tell you it does not work or that you are only wasting your money. What should you do? Run.

For years, there have been some troubling problems between the traditional medical field and chiropractic care. Some primary care physicians believe that chiropractors are nothing but glorified spa masseuses. Is this true? No. In fact, these problems are slowly decreasing. More primary care physicians are realizing the benefits of chiropractic care. Unfortunately, you may have an “old school,” doctor who has yet to realize the benefits. What should you do?

First, turn to the internet. Perform a standard internet search with the phrase “chiropractic benefits.” You will see many results. Many are websites of chiropractors explaining their practice and their medical schooling. Others are firsthand accounts of pain suffering people who have sought and received relief from a chiropractor. So, if some people do seek relief from this type of medical care, why are some primary care physicians so against the procedure?

For starters, it takes away from their profits. Doctors run profitable businesses, but those profits aren’t always staggeringly high amounts. With state aid from Medicaid and Medicare programs and insurance companies who only want to pay less, some private practices are suffering. Your primary care physician realizes that if you do seek relief from a chiropractor you will continue to seek that relief and no longer need their services as much. Someone suffering from financial troubles do not want to lose paying clients.

Although some primary care physicians are concerned about the financial aspects of losing patients to chiropractic care, others believe it does not work. Primary care physicians tend to believe that medications and surgery are best courses of treatment. Chiropractors utilize neither. They provide natural relief. In fact, they do more than just temporarily relive the pain; they stop it at the source. They do so naturally with manual therapy. A patient with neck pain may just need an adjustment. This is done with precision force and thrust.

If you want to seek chiropractic care, do. You should not care what your primary care physician has to say. Truthfully, he or she should be supportive of your decision. If they believe it will not work, they should still let you try. A doctor who discourages you or outright prohibits you from seeing a chiropractor does not have your best interest at heart. As previously stated, this care is all natural, so there are no risks. Since there are no risks, you have nothing to lose.

If you are interested in scheduling an appointment with a chiropractor, turn to your local phonebook or the internet. If your primary care physician was unreceptive to the treatment, they likely don’t have a referral or suggestion for you. If covered by health insurance, see if coverage is extended to chiropractor care. If it is, choose one that accepts your insurance. With insurance coverage or price comparing, you can easily find an affordable chiropractor. Since you have nothing to lose physically and the costs are affordable, see what type of relief you can get.

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