Neck Pain: Massage or Chiropractic?

When you have neck pain, it can be difficult to think of anything else. We use the phrase “pain in the neck” to describe things that bother us because neck pain is really like no other type of pain.

Acute neck pain, like the type you get when you sleep in an odd position, can be treated in several ways. From a visit to the chiropractor for an adjustment or a quick dose of a favorite over-the-counter analgesic, people have plenty of treatment options.

But what treatment options are better? Visiting the chiropractor or relaxing in a therapeutic massage?

Choosing massage for relief of neck pain

Therapeutic massage has been proven several times to be a reliable treatment for neck pain. According to a study published in the Clinical Journal of Pain, patients with chronic neck pain were given either regular massage or instructions in a self-care book.

After 10 weeks and 26 weeks, the massage group reported improved function in their necks. Those who used self-care books did not have the same experience.

Ideal dosing for a neck massage

With massage proving to be beneficial to chronic neck pain, another group of researchers looked determining exactly how much massage was needed to bring relief. In the Annals of Family Medicine, researchers tested various dosages of massage for neck pain.

Therapists gave patients 30-minute and 60-minute massages. The best results were after the 60-minute massages, especially if they were done two or three times per week for at least five weeks.

Chiropractic adjustments for the relief of neck pain

While massage helps bring relief to neck pain, especially chronic neck pain, chiropractic adjustments also bring relief. In a study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, patients with acute neck pain received various chiropractic treatments for dosages that lasted between one week and 26 weeks.

They were given questionnaires about their pain at all stages, from the moment they first visited the chiropractor and at the various stages after receiving treatment. Most people reported relief within four weeks of their first visit.

We, at Better Health Chiropractic in Juneau, see success with our patients who choose manual adjustments for neck pain. Our patients also experience relief after massage therapy, too.

Relieving neck pain with adjustments and massage

One of the most interesting studies that show the success of chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy on the neck was published recently in the Journal of Physical Therapy Science.

In this study, patients with neck pain received cervical joint manipulation in an effort to bring relief to their pain. The manipulation was also conducted to help patients understand the positioning of their joints, which helps people with balance and range of motion.

The group that was tested received manual adjustments and a 25-minute massage. After the single session that included neck manipulation and massage, patients reported a better understanding of their joint positioning. The researchers measured the range of motion before and after the treatment and notice improvement after the treatment.

This exciting study showed the success of patients receiving both manual adjustments and massage for relief from neck pain.

Different types of massage for relief of neck pain

There are different types of massage that can be used to treat neck pain. In a study published in Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, researchers looked at different over 800 abstracts from databases of information about types of massage and how they benefit neck and shoulder pain. They looked at techniques like stroking, kneading, and percussion.

They also looked at “Swedish massage, Shiatsu, Rolfing, reflexology, Myofascial release, and Craniosacral therapy.”

The researchers were unable to determine whether one type of massage was better than others, but they were able to determine that massage therapy was beneficial for immediate neck pain relief.

Researchers tried to understand why it was so beneficial using rationales that involved local manipulation of the body that affected the neural activity in the spinal cord that changed the perception of pain.

Different types of massage

Massage therapists often have training in different types of massage. Common massage techniques include:

• Swedish

Swedish massage is a gentle massage that is good for people who are new to massage. It is ideal for releasing knots in the muscles and it helps with relaxation.

Massage therapists will knead your muscles by moving with long strokes toward the heart. He uses circular motions as well as tapping. Some therapists will move joints passively, too.

• Deep Tissue

If you are looking for more intensity, then you might like deep tissue massage which uses deep pressure to relieve tight muscles and pain.

• Trigger point

Deep tissue massage is sometimes combined with trigger point massage. This type of massage does not have long strokes but has pressure on specific areas of the muscle tissues that are called trigger points.

When the trigger points are stressed or tight, they can make other parts of the body tight and uncomfortable. By releasing trigger points, muscles are able to relax. This type of massage can be uncomfortable.

• Shiatsu

Shiatsu massage is another relaxing form of massage that is designed to relieve tension, even headaches, and muscle pain. This type of passage involves the entire body, but the therapist will also focus on trigger points. It is a rhythmic type of massage and therapists can use their hands, palms, and thumbs for various degrees of pressure.

• Reflexology

Reflexology is a relaxing type of massage that does not involve kneading or stroking the back. Instead, the pressure is applied to feet, hands, and ears to bring the body back into normal balance.

• Myofascial

Myofascial release therapy is a technique that is often used during the massage as therapists work to release tightness in muscles. This technique is used to add flexibility and range of motion in painful areas like the hip, back, and shoulders.

Therapists will apply pressure or a subtle stretch to gradually increase the range of motion. Therapists pay close attention to a patient’s description of pain during the release so as not to hurt the patient.

When you experience neck pain, your chiropractor and massage therapist can give you the best advice about pain relief. They can explain their choices of techniques and how they work to relieve your pain.

You might also be interested in…

The Truth About Deep Tissue Massage Side Effects
Deep Tissue Massage with Cupping Works Out The Knot
Deep Tissue Massage for Runners: Optimal Injury Prevention

About Dr. Brent Wells

Dr. Brent Wells is a graduate of the University of Nevada where he earned his bachelor of science degree before moving on to complete his doctorate from Western States Chiropractic College. He founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in Alaska in 1998. He became passionate about being a chiropractor after his own experiences with hurried, unprofessional healthcare providers. The goal for Dr. Wells is to treat his patients with care and compassion while providing them with a better quality of life through his professional treatment.