You probably heard from others who had massages before. They likely talk about all of the benefits they experienced and why they love working with a chiropractic office. While you can get a massage from a salon, those who work in beauty shops and spas often do not have as much training as chiropractors do. They cannot help with all conditions and may even make some of your symptoms worse. Knowing more about chiropractic massage is the best way to ensure you know what to expect when you book your first or next appointment.


What is Massage?

Let’s get the biggest question out of the way first. Massage or massage therapy is a technique where a professional manipulates your body and works on or around your soft tissues. At the same time that they manipulate your body, they also apply just the right amount of pressure on a specific spot. After just one session, you may experience less stress and feel less muscle pain.


Types of Massages

There are multiple types of massages and massage techniques that can make you feel better and more relaxed. Swedish massage is a common method that uses both tapping and stroking motions. The combo can reduce a lot of your stress and discomfort.

Sports massage is a highly recommended option for those dealing with sports injuries. Whether you have a bad back caused by years of playing your favorite sports or you recently suffered an injury, this type of massage can help. It is also suitable for those with repetitive injuries.

Thai massage is one of the oldest types and has a long history that dates back more than 2,000 years. It’s only suitable for those who have a wider range of motion. You may need to get up and move around with help from your massage therapist. The activity it requires is why some refer to it as assisted yoga.

If you carry a lot of stress in your body, deep tissue massage is a good option. This method applies more pressure to the areas where you have deep knots and carry a lot of tension like your lower back. You can also work with a therapist to choose the best massage type for your needs.


Massage Benefits

Before you consider a massage, make sure you know about the overall benefits. Most methods relieve stress, which can make you feel better about yourself as well as help you relax. Many people also found that regular massages help them cope with their anxiety and other emotions. Some of the other massage benefits you should know include:

  • Massages help reduce the tension in your problem areas.
  • They help you get the healthy and deep sleep you need.
  • You can improve your health, especially your heart health.
  • Some find that massages improve their balance and coordination.
  • You might lower your blood pressure.
  • Massages reduce common symptoms of certain medical conditions.


How to Get Ready for Your Appointment

Not everyone feels as comfortable getting a massage. If you feel nervous about what you should do before your appointment, relax. Try sitting down and drinking a glass of water. Proper hydration is important because the massage will manipulate your body and help it release toxins. Not only do you want to hydrate before your appointment, but you should also drink more water when you head home.

Professionals also recommend that you shower before your appointment. Take a long shower an hour before your appointment and use hot water. This helps relax your body and can also get you in the right frame of mind for your session. Another benefit is that it can cut down on your nerves. You don’t need to worry about your therapist smelling odd odors coming from you during the appointment.


What to Expect

One of the nice things about a professional massage is that you don’t need to spend a lot of time worrying about what will happen. If you never had a massage before, you can learn what to expect during the session and what you can do to make things go smoother.

First things first, wear clothing you feel comfortable wearing. While you can strip off some of those layers to help the therapist reach all of your muscle groups, you can also wear as much clothing as you would like. Simply let the therapist know that you have body image issues and want to wear a little more clothing. Keep in mind that you’ll also have a sheet between you and the massage therapist.

Before the session begins, you need to go through your medical history. This gives you the chance to talk about any health conditions you have or medications you take. You’ll also want to talk about why you want a massage and if there are any benefits you want to get out of it.

More than 40% of adults in the United States get massages every year, which comes to more than 45 million people. Those who get the most from their sessions are those who communicate with their massage therapists. Don’t be afraid to talk about what you like and don’t like. You might let the professional know that you feel comfortable with deeper pressure or that you would prefer they work on specific areas. The more upfront you are about what you want, the more you will get from your massage.


Pro Performance Chiropractic Can Help

At Pro Performance Chiropractic, you’ll find a diverse team of massage therapists and professionals who help out clients every day. They will go over your medical history and recommend the massage techniques they think are best for you. You can also get help with any questions you have about the process. Click here to schedule your first massage with a member of the Pro Performance Chiropractic team today.

*Massage Packages Available! Give our office a call for more information.