Now that I’ve caught your attention, let’s talk METH!
I’m talking Movement Elevation Traction Heat.
When I ask my patients what they know about how to deal with pain, they will definitely answer with procedures that have been standard for most injuries for many years, namely, RICE: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. But many of them have noticed something interesting when talking about an injury that is more than four hours old.
What do I recommend? Almost the exact opposite!
No RICE. No rest and no compression. According to many studies in the last several years, rest leads to muscle weakness which can disrupt your balance and body position. Both ice and compression shut down blood flow to the area. What does an injury in our body need to heal?
Yup, blood flow. Encouraging blood flow after an injury is just plain smart. Blood is rich with healing factors such as oxygen, white and red blood cells and chemicals that decrease inflammation and pain.
So now that RICE is out, what to do instead? Do METH! Movement, Elevation, Traction and Heat.
Heat and (gentle!) movement encourage blood flow, increase flexibility and speed healing. Elevation, well, who doesn’t like to put their feet up and watch some Netflix now and then? An injured joint especially likes that. As for traction, that’s where chiropractic adjustments come in. Encouraging a joint to move right away stops atrophy, weakness and poor body positioning.
So remember, METH is where it’s at these days at least where your joints are concerned.
If you haven’t booked in to see me yet, you can click here and someone will be in touch with you shortly.
To Massage or Chiro? That Is The Question.
You’ve royally messed up your back.
You’re in excruciating pain when moving your head and neck.
You just can’t seem to get comfortable.
Odds are that if you’ve ever been in the above scenario, you’ve contemplated getting a massage or chiropractic adjustment – but just can’t figure out which one to choose first.
If this sounds all too familiar then you’re in luck, I’m about to break it down for you.
Massage therapy treats the soft tissues of the body, like muscles, and chiropractic adjustments treat misaligned joints, like the spine.
The above is so common that many people who suffer from one, also suffer from the other. So it’s safe to say that lots of people can benefit from a combination of both massage therapy and chiropractic adjustment.
In fact, chiropractic adjustment and massage therapy can be even more effective when combined than when they are used independently. (Side-note: did you know Dr. B is BOTH a Chiropractor and Massage Therapist – wink wink)
However, you still want to know: Massage First or Chiropractic First?
Ultimately, there is not a single correct answer to this question for all patients. Instead, the answer will depend on the specific details of your situation.
In my practice, I always begin with an assessment and then decide which treatment option, if not a combination of both would be best suited for your condition.
**Ask us about my Combo Treatment – it’s the #1 treatment of choice at my clinic.**
If you’re still dying to know which treatment first, here is a general guideline that may help you make a decision.
Chiropractic Adjustment first, Massage Therapy Second
If after your assessment we find that your joints are more restricted and limited than your tight muscles, then having your massage after the adjustment may be beneficial. After we adjust your joints into the right position, you don’t want muscle tension to wrench them back into misalignment. A massage right after your adjustment can help keep your muscles relaxed and neutral, so that the proper alignment is allowed to hold and stay in place. This way, the benefits of the adjustment will last longer and you might not need to book your next ones as frequently.
Massage Therapy First, Chiropractic Adjustment Second
If we find you have particularly tight and tender muscles rather than joint dysfunction, then it’s probably a good idea to have it treated with massage before you go in for your chiropractic adjustment. If the tight muscle is close to the joints that we will adjust, then its tightness could interfere with the adjustment. Receiving a massage first ensures that there are no tight muscles in the way and that we will be able to access the joints better.
Whatever you decide on, keep in mind that a combination of these two treatments can be super effective for relieving pain, restoring mobility, and improving your quality of life.
If you haven’t booked in to see me yet, you can click here and someone will be in touch with you shortly.
