Massage Therapy is a favorite service at Agape Chiropractic in Pompano Beach. We have taken our time to interview and select the best massage therapistis in Pompano Beach. Agape Chiropractic provides a pleasant and relaxing environment for a professional massage.

Massage therapy is beneficial for treating a variety of musculo-skeletal problems. Some of the more common uses of massage include treating:

• Knots
• Lactic Acid
• Mental or Emotional Stress
• Muscle contractures
• Muscle Fatigue
• Muscle Spasms
• Overuse injuries
• Pysical Stress
• Sports Injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Trigger Points

The target tissues of massage therapy are primarily skin, muscles, and their connective tissues including tendons and fascia, but may also include ligaments, vessels of the lymphatic and circulatory system, and the joint lubrication structures like the bursae.

Massage Therapy can also be medical oriented and used to treat more systemic and visceral problems including poor lymphatic drainage and digestive disorders like constipation. There are cautions and contrindications to massage therapy including skin infections, circulatory disorders, the use of certain medications like blood thinners, and diseases like cancer.

The massage therapist may use a wide variety of tools and aids for massage therapy including hand held instruments for trigger point work, rolling instruments, hot rocks, straps for various stretching techniques, and the like. However, the primary tools used are the massage therapists hands. Ice packs and heat packs are sometimes used to control inflammation or warm up the muscles respectively. Aromatherapy may also be used for a variety of benefits.

There are many massage techniques and treatments. Some of the more common massage treatments include:

• Acupressure
• Craniosacral Therapy
• Deep tissue massage
• Medical massage
• Myofascial release
• Reflexology
• Shiatsu
• Stone massage
• Swedish massage
• Thai massage
• Trigger point therapy
• Visceral manipulation

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CHIROPRACTIC AND MASSAGE THERAPY?

Chiropractic and massage therapy are two very different treatments, yet they work together very well and are often used to accomplish the same objective – better health. Massage therapy is generally a slower and less aggressive treatment geared toward improving muscle and musculoskeletal function. The emphasis is usually geared more toward treating the musculature involved in the problem. Chiropractors are usually more focussed on the cause of the musculo-skeletal imbalance or dysfunction and focus more centrally on the spine and central nervous system. A chiropractic adjustment involves treating the vertebral subluxation complex; that is, correcting function at the deeper structures of the spine to allow the central and peripheral nervous systems to function more normally. Massage therapy is generally more superficial, however, can also significantly affect function and improve the nervous system.

This content is provided courtesy of Dr. Michael Haley, Chiropractor in Pompano Beach. Because both Chiropractic and Massage Therapy techniques vary greatly among practitioners, we are leaving the comments section open for any opinions and addendums. Your input is greatly appreciated.