What is Chiropractic Treatment?
Chiropractic is based on the scientific fact that your body is a self regulating, self-healing organism. The nervous system and its protective structures, the skull and the spine, are important in the regulation of many of these self corrective functions.
Chiropractors refer to dysfunction within the spine as the vertebral subluxation complex. Vertebral subluxation refers to changes in the boney parts of the joint, the joint surfaces (articular components), ligaments, the muscles that control that joint and the neural (nervous system) changes that occur with that particular dysfunction.
Chiropractic is the science of locating offending spinal structures, the art of reducing their impact on the nervous system and a philosophy of natural health care based on your inborn potential to be healthy.
What does Chiropractic Treat?
Chiropractic treatment is sought for nerve, joint and muscular problems. The most common of these being: headaches, migraine, back pain, neck pain, sciatica, joint pain, spinal disc conditions, whiplash, arm and leg pain.
Major Benefits of Chiropractic Treatment:
Patients seek chiropractic for a number of reasons and report a broad range of benefits including:
- improvement of spinal pain
- reduction in headache frequency and intensity
- more energy
- enhanced athletic performance
- improved sleep
- greater flexibility
- postural correction
- freedom of movement
- recovery from trauma
- mental clarity
- emotional calmness
- enhanced senses
Why Massage Therapy
Massage specializes in addressing soft tissue problems, therefore, can be used to prevent injury and is effective for a range of existing injuries and other conditions.
Addressing soft tissue problems is important. Joints move, while ligament and fascia (soft tissue) support them and muscles provide the motion. On a regular basis, (combined with an active lifestyle) massage can help to release chronic tight muscle and fascia.
Be aware that a muscle can also be ‘tight' with no symptoms, as our body will adapt to accommodate the tight tissue. Chiropractors often detect tight tissue without symptoms being apparent to the patient.
Preventative massage is utilized by many athletes to detect and monitor muscle function. However, this benefit should not be restricted to athletes, but, be considered by all, as it reduces the possibility of future injury.
Massage can be applicable for athletes, office workers, students, labourers and people of all ages and health status, from infants to the elderly.
There are many types of massage with some being highly effective at assisting to address the effects of stressful lifestyles or events.
Massage Therapy and Chiropractic combined
A chiropractic adjustment aims at alleviating the joint dysfunction and subsequent nerve irritation that causes muscles to spasm or weaken. However, in some cases the muscles supporting a dysfunctional joint become so tight that it is difficult to make an adjustment and your chiropractor may recommend massage in conjunction with your chiropractic care. Combining these treatments creates a plan to reduce pain, improve mobility and the ability to stretch and exercise.
It may also be recommended for patients experiencing tightness as a result of stress in their daily lives.
Should massage come before or after an adjustment?
This becomes a matter of professional judgment between your chiropractor and massage therapist. There are times where it is appropriate to have soft tissue therapy (massage) before a chiropractic adjustment. In other cases, it may be appropriate to have massage after or between chiropractic visits. Discuss your needs with both your chiropractor and your massage therapist so they can plan an approach that will best maximize your therapeutic outcomes.
Massage benefits and private health funds
Depending on your cover and the fund, you may be eligible to claim benefits for massage treatments through our HICAPS facility at the time of service. Funds will only pay benefits for treatments that incorporate remedial massage therapy, provided by massage therapists with relevant qualifications and an approved provider number.
Massage Gift Vouchers
Massage can be a very welcome gift to a friend, family member or work colleague. At Victoria Point Chiropractic we offer attractively presented gift vouchers.