Physical Therapy or Massage Therapy: Which is Right For Me?

At Kouimanis Chiropractic, we provide a variety of chronic pain treatments to clients all over Northwest Indiana. With many options available, you may feel unsure of which treatment would be most effective against your particular pain. Below we discuss two common pain relief treatments: physical therapy and massage therapy. Both are incredibly effective and safe for anyone with chronic pain. However, it can be difficult to choose between them. We outline the differences so you can understand these treatments better.

Of course, the best way to find out is to simply talk to a chiropractor! Dr. Steven Kouimanis is an expert when it comes to relieving his patients’ ailments. Contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kouimanis and to learn more about how chiropractic care can help you.

What is Physical Therapy?

Physical therapy is a wide category that may include exercises and stretches to build strength and relieve pain. Usually, the goal is to increase your ability to move and function. Sometimes, physical therapy involves massages.

Who Does Physical Therapy Help?

>Physical therapy is beneficial for individuals dealing with joint problems, soft tissue injury, sports injuries, and many other painful conditions. This form of pain relief may also help women who have just given birth or individuals who are learning to function with artificial limbs. Ultimately, physical therapy is useful for many people to adjust to new lifestyle changes or to cope with significant chronic pain originating in the joints or soft tissue.

How is Massage Therapy Different?

Unlike physical therapy, massage therapy specifically refers to massaging or kneading the body to reduce pain. It is not as broad a category but refers to pain relief treatments that specifically involve massages. That being said, massage styles vary and range from a Swedish massage to a sports massage. The goal is to release the tension in your ligaments that may be causing your pain by relaxing you.

Massage therapy is usually used in conjunction with other pain relief methods and does not always work best on its own. Most people who get massage therapy are also receiving chiropractic care or physical therapy, or even all three.

Should I Get Massage Therapy?

You should consider massage therapy if you suffer from headaches or back pain since the massage can target these areas. Massage therapy can also help those with pain from cancer and is known to relieve depression and anxiety. You should consider massage therapy if you have a chronic condition like fibromyalgia or a digestive disorder. However, if you have significant injuries sustained from an accident or from playing sports, it’s likely that you will also need physical therapy. Massage therapy on its own may not be enough to effectively treat your pain.

Kouimanis Chiropractic Treats All Kinds of Pain

No matter the cause or type of pain, Kouimanis Chiropractic will help you get back on your feet. We can schedule an appointment to determine whether you would benefit from massage therapy or physical therapy. Our chiropractor will perform a physical evaluation and listen to your questions and concerns. Regardless of the form of pain relief you need, we are confident that you’ll be satisfied. Give our office a call today!