3 Benefits of Massage Therapy for Overall Wellness

Stress Relief—Massage is a powerful natural stress reliever that helps the body from the inside out. Studies show that at least 90% of doctor visits stem from stress-induced ailments such as heart and blood pressure problems, diabetes, asthma, depression, and headaches. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that nearly $300 billion worth of lost work time and injuries are related to stress. Our chiropractor often recommends massage to patients because it not only helps alleviate stress-related problems, but it can actually prevent stress-induced injuries.

Immune Booster—Several studies also show that massage can help the body ward off infections by stimulating the immune system. One study concluded that it was particularly helpful for people with autoimmune disorders where the body starts attacking itself. These studies link its wellness and immune-boosting powers back to its stress relieving properties.

What Can Trigger Headaches?

When you experience pain in your neck, this indicates a potential misalignment or tension that can lead to a headache if it is not treated. Chiropractic care is one of the best ways to alleviate neck pain that is at the root of your headache. Getting adjustments at the chiropractor or benefiting massage therapy will ease your spine back into alignment or relax the muscles that are leading to the pain you feel. You can also reduce your chance of future pain by changing your position regularly and focusing on your posture when you are sitting, especially for long periods of time.

- Stressful Situations

Over time, experiencing stressful situations on a regular basis can cause headaches. Many people with regular head pain are managing a lot of mental stress, anxiety, or depression that will often trigger a headache at the most inconvenient time. In addition, stress often causes people to sleep poorly, which can worsen the problem.

Dehydration, even in its early stages, can cause head pain, so drinking a glass of water is one of the first lines of defense. Drinking alcohol can also cause pain by decreasing blood circulation. Food additives, like MSG, preservatives, and artificial sweeteners, can trigger headaches in some people. Some people often get a headache after eating aged cheese, which contains tyramine, a substance that can increase blood pressure. And of course, getting too much caffeine or not getting enough when your body is used to it can also lead to a headache.

Sciatica is the pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve. Your sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your low back, through the hip area and down each leg. This nerve branches out into smaller nerves down the legs in your thighs and feet. It controls many of the muscles in your lower legs. With sciatica you typically experience lower back pain and leg pain. Your pain spreads down the lower lumbar region of the back causing numbness and tingling in the affected leg.

Some of the most common causes of sciatica or nerve compression can be a misaligned vertebrae and/or a herniated or bulging disc. Another cause is piriformis syndrome. Your piriformis muscle lies directly over the sciatic nerve. Pressure is put directly on the sciatic nerve when the muscle becomes tight or goes into spasms.

Chiropractic care is an effective treatment for sciatica. Our Everett chiropractors treat neck pain, back pain and headaches as well as other musculoskeletal pain. Often times, they are able to find the source of the nerve blockage and use manual chiropractic adjustments to correct your spinal misalignment. Sciatic pain can be relieved with corrective exercises such as a combination of stretches and massage therapy through deep tissue massage. 

Our Everett chiropractors are concerned with improving your overall wellness. You will not only receive excellent chiropractic care at our clinic but also get lifestyle advice and nutritional counseling. If you are suffering from back pain, neck pain or headaches caused by sciatica or other nerve, muscle or joint problems, then call our office today.