Benefits of Massage Therapy In Mesa AZ

A Mesa, AZ massage therapist from LifeCare Chiropractic knows there are many benefits to massage therapy, including both emotional and physical benefits. Below are the most commonly cited benefits that massage therapists in Mesa, AZ and clients agree are reasons to include massage therapy into your self-care routine:

Physical Benefits

Pain Relief: One of the most widely-known benefits of massage therapy is that it can help ease chronic pain. Knee pains, back pains, or chronic fatigue syndrome are some of the issues that regular massage therapy with a skilled massage therapist in Mesa, AZ can address. Massage therapy eases physical pain through not only increasing circulation to the afflicted areas but also through the stimulation and release of pain-fighting endorphins. The ability of massage therapy to relieve various causes of pain is of vital importance because it can reduce or eliminate the need for painkillers.

Relieves Inflammatory Conditions: Pain relief is not the only thing massage can provide. A massage therapist in Mesa, AZ can also be used to treat inflammatory conditions such as tendinitis and arthritis. This is not only because it helps to relax and loosen the muscles, it also enhances flexibility of joints. This in turn allows more fluidity of movement which also makes your muscles less susceptible to injuries.

Improved Immunity: A report by the American Massage Therapy Association suggests that massage therapy can boost one’s immune system. Massage therapy can increase the white blood cell count as well as their activity level. White blood cells work to prevent the body from viruses and diseases.

Improves Posture and Treats Breathing Problems: Another advantage of massage therapy is that it can help open your chest area through the expansion of your rib cage. This is often beneficial because it loosens tightness in the chest area, allowing one to inhale and exhale more deeply. This, in turn, can oxygenate the blood.

Emotional Benefits

Eases Stress/Depression/Anxiety: The feel-good factor that massage therapy offers can help ease your stress, depression, and anxiety. The endorphins produced in the body while undergoing massage therapy can enhance relaxation which in turn can reduce stress, depression, and anxiety.

Improved Sleep: Your sleep may improve once you undergo massage therapy with a skilled Mesa, AZ massage therapist. This is helpful for both insomniacs and those without sleeping problems. For the latter, they may notice that they wake up less during the night and feel more energized upon waking up. A lack of sleep can also be caused by stress and depression so massage therapy can help address this.

Better Concentration: Massage therapy can also help improve concentration and alertness. When one is calm and relaxed, it is easier to focus and remain alert. This is crucial for anyone who wants to be more productive and creative because with better concentration comes improved decision-making.

Improved Sense of Self-Awareness and Peace: This comes as a result of the connection between the mind and body. A sense of peacefulness is more accessible when one is less stressed or physically sound. Massage therapy with a skilled massage therapist in Mesa, AZ can allow the mind to focus less on insignificant things and instead, focus on what is more important.

Massage FAQs:

Q: Is It Hard to Find a Massage Therapist I Can Trust?

A: According to the Federation of State Massage Therapy Boards, nearly 300,000 people in the United States study massage therapy and work as massage therapists. State agencies regulate and license massage therapists to ensure professionalism, privacy, and safety. Many states require therapists to take the Massage and Bodywork Licensing Examination. Determine your state’s licensing requirements and ask your massage therapist for their credentials to increase your trust in their services.

Q: Does My Health Insurance Cover Massage Therapy?

A: Some insurers cover alternative therapies like massage, chiropractic care, and acupuncture. However, you may face higher out-of-pocket expenses than one might expect. Before making your first massage appointment, check with your insurer and your therapist to make sure you’re covered. Ask if you need a prescription or a referral from your physician, if you must pay a deductible or copay, or if you have coverage only for a limited number of visits.

Q: What Are the Benefits of Massage Therapy?

A: People get massages for many reasons:

• Relaxation
• Injury recovery
• Athletic massage
• Pain reduction
• Stress relief
• Physical therapy
• Migraine headache mitigation
• Improved digestion
• Fibromyalgia treatment
• Insomnia prevention
• Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer symptom reduction

Q: When Should I Avoid Massage Therapy?

A: Massage therapists offer non-invasive, non-narcotic treatments for many types of injuries and pain. However, massage isn’t for everyone. People with high blood pressure, deep-vein thrombosis, and certain skin conditions should check with a doctor before getting a massage. If you have a fever, feel dizzy, or have recently been in an accident, you may want to postpone your massage appointment.

Q: What Kind of Training Does It Take to Be a Massage Therapist?

A: At the 300 U.S. massage therapy schools, aspiring practitioners typically get 600-700 hours of training. Almost all massage therapists take continuing education classes, averaging 20 hours per year. Ask your practitioner about their educational experiences, practical training, and ongoing professional development.

Q: What If I Don’t Want a Massage Therapist to Work on a Certain Part of My Body?

A: Before your massage, let your therapist know which parts of your body you want them to avoid. For example, many clients aren’t comfortable with having their abdominal area massaged. Your massage therapist will know how to avoid any sensitive areas you identify and still give you a therapeutic experience.

What are the top myths about massage therapy?

When most people hear about getting massages, they believe it is only done as a luxury. While many spas have incorporated different massages into their routines to help relax their clients, massage therapy goes beyond simple relaxation. It helps to stimulate your body’s own natural ability to heal. So, what are the top myths about massage therapy?

1. When you get a massage, it only focuses on your muscles.

False! A massage does more than just focus on your muscles, especially when done by a Mesa, Arizona massage therapist. When you get a proper massage, it can help to loosen your joints by moving fluids around in your body. This also helps to give you a more increased range of motion. Further, by massaging areas of fluid buildup, you may find that your massage therapist has helped reduce swelling as well.

2. I can get a massage from any spa and it will be the same.

This is a dangerous notion because a massage from one place is not the same as a massage from another place. No matter where you choose to go for your massage, you want to make sure your masseur has a license. However, if you want real healing, it is important that you go to a massage therapist in Mesa, AZ. Someone who performs massage therapy should have the training and a license so you know you are getting a medical treatment, not just a massage for relaxation.

3. For a massage to be effective, you should feel some pain.

There is only a little bit of truth to this. It is certainly possible that you will feel slight discomfort if your massage therapist is working out a knot. Or, you may feel sore for a few days after your massage. However, if you are in any pain during your massage you should not hesitate to speak up. Your massage therapist should be able to quickly change the type of massage they are giving you to be something more comfortable.

4. I can get a massage once and my aches and pains will go away!

If only this were true about most pain! However, you should speak with your massage therapist in Mesa, AZ about how many appointments you should begin scheduling for your pain. If you are in pain because of chronic bad posture or constantly sitting, you cannot expect your pain to suddenly go away. You should consider setting up standing appointments from your massage therapist to help your pain in the long-term.

Massage Therapy for Auto Accident Injuries

Following a car accident, you might have escaped any serious, life threatening injuries; however, you may have whiplash, a stiff neck, shoulder or wrist injuries, and pain in your body. The first day might be the least painful and is typically related to the adrenaline surging throughout the body. You might notice stiffness and pain on the second day too, but often it is the third day in which severe pain shows itself. Many people won’t be able to move or will have limited mobility. They might at this point choose to go to the hospital (this should be done on the first day), and a doctor might diagnose them with whiplash, sprains, strains, and bruising. In addition to rehabilitation and occupational therapy, massage therapy sessions in Mesa, AZ might be recommended. 

At LifeCare Chiropractic, we have treated many patients who suffered injuries in an auto accident. Our massage therapy sessions in Mesa, AZ can address whiplash, skeletal, and muscular issues that have resulted after an auto accident. If you would like to schedule a session now, please call LifeCare Chiropractic.

Pain After a Car Accident 

A person can experience a broad range of injuries and pain after an auto accident. At a massage therapy session in Mesa, AZ, your massage therapist will go over your pain to gain an understanding of the problematic areas. The most common injuries our therapists see include:

Limited Range of Motion – Muscle tension, stiffness, and limited range of motion are very common injuries after an auto accident. In response to the impact, the muscles in the back, neck, and shoulders tend to swell and stiffen up. This results in limited blood flow and the transportation of nutrients to the injured areas, and leads to a hindered recovery time. Mesa, Arizona massage therapy sessions can use various techniques to reduce the swelling and encourage blood to flow to these places. 

Whiplash – Most car accident victims will experience some degree of whiplash. This happens when the head is jerked forward and backward beyond its normal limits. The soft tissues in the cervical spine are impacted and may swell up. In some cases whiplash can cause severe headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Before you  go to a massage therapy session in Mesa, Arizona begins, your therapist will evaluate the entire body to see whether or not the whiplash has affected other areas. For example, there could be ligament damage, low back pain, or an intervertebral disc injury. 

Scar Tissue – When the body is inflamed, scar tissue may develop. Although this is normal, it can cause discomfort. The best massage therapist in Mesa, AZ, such as one from LifeCare Chiropractic, can help with the formation of scar tissue and promote optimal healing and recovery. 

Following an auto accident, you should not delay in seeking a massage therapist. The sooner you do, the more likely your pain can be reduced or alleviated. As mentioned above, it is recommended that you see a medical doctor for an evaluation as quickly as you can. There are silent injuries that if left untreated, could be fatal. Once you are ready to schedule a massage therapy session in Mesa, AZ, call LifeCare Chiropractic.

Don’t let the myths about massage therapy fool you. It is important that you seek help from a licensed massage therapist in Mesa, Arizona for your aches and pains. For more information or to schedule a therapy session, call a massage therapist in Mesa, AZ from LifeCare Chiropractic today.

Who is the Top Chiropractor Mesa AZ

8 Things You Need to Know About Chiropractor Mesa AZ Treatment

When people are looking for a reliable chiropractor Mesa, AZ residents trust, they often stop when they hear about LifeCare Chiropractics. From the first appointment and on, you will see why our clinic is one that people trust for quality chiropractic care. Most people are familiar with the field of chiropractics. Of those people, some are open-minded, and others hear a reference about what aspinal adjustment entails and cringe.

The fact of the matter is that chiropractic treatment is the doorway to holistic well-being and can provide a healthier you, both physically and mentally. Additionally, chiropractic adjustments can facilitate the body’s natural healing ability and therefore potentially decrease the need for surgery and medications. If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of visiting a chiropractor, contact LifeCare Chiropractic today.

Holistic Care

One of the pillars of chiropractic care is bringing harmony to the mind and body through realignment of the musculoskeletal system. In addition to the bodily manipulations, our chiropractors understand supplemental therapies that may help on a very unique basis that is different for each person. Such therapies may include herbal medicines, heating and cooling devices and a comprehensive individualized nutritional plan. 

Common ailments that visiting a chiropractor in Mesa AZ may help:

• Chronic pain- whether you have neck, back or hip pain from an old injury, strenuous work regime, daily stressors or from sitting at a computer all day, a realigned musculoskeletal system can put everything back in balance.
• Acute pain- if you have suffered an injury from sports, a slip and fall, a car accident or any other jarring incident, visiting a chiropractor for adjustments may help your body get back into alignment and allow the nerve system and soft tissues to heal without surgery or pharmaceutical intervention.
• Headaches- there are numerous causes for headaches and the severity can range from mild to severe. Even the mild occurrence can be taxing if you have to deal with them often. Chiropractic care from LifeCare has been shown to help alleviate headaches.
• Stress- A chiropractic adjustment can be a very relaxing experience. The odd thing about stress is that we have a lot more control over our response to stressful situations than we realize. In embracing the adjustment one naturally lets go of some level of stress.
• Mental Health- many people who are diagnosed with depression or anxiety have reported a decrease in symptoms while pursuing a regular chiropractic treatment plan.
• Difficulty sleeping- in reducing pain, depression, anxiety and stress, the individual may be able to fall asleep faster and remain asleep through the night.
• Pain disorders such as Fibromyalgia- the typical course of treatment for a disorder like fibromyalgia is very often to treat the symptoms. Therefore, pharmaceutical intervention is the most common course of treatment. However, individuals who pursue chiropractic care from our clinic as an ongoing intervention have reported positive results.   

The bottom line is that chiropractic care is not only about the adjustment to the musculoskeletal system, it encompasses so much more. In realigning the spine and joints, the rest of the body, including the nervous system, is also put back into place and allowed to function at its best. In addition, when a Mesa, AZ chiropractor helps you pursue a path of treatment that focuses on wellness and prevention, one is naturally going to feel better.

Below are some common things people have inquired about regarding chiropractic care. If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule an appointment to achieve your optimal health, contact LifeCare Chiropractic today.

• Feeling better doesn’t mean that you are better. Although you may feel a decrease in pain or feel like your pain is gone completely, it doesn’t mean that the original source of the problem is gone completely. You shouldn’t stop treatments when you start to feel better, you should go until the problem has been resolved.
• Your phone is going to prolong your problems. Bad posture can be one of the worst things for your body, and it’s fueled by bad habits of sitting down all day and looking down at your phone, iPad, laptop, etc. Good posture helps keep your bones and joints in correct alignment and use muscles correctly, but bad posture can counteract the work that you’ve done.
• Popping your back and getting an adjustment from a chiropractor aren’t the same thing. Although you may be able to twist around and feel a pop in your back, it won’t cause an adjustment. If you’re not careful, you may even hurt your spine and nervous system. It’s important that you receive adjustments from an Arizona chiropractor, a professional you can trust.
• Previous health problems can be contributing to the problems you have now. When talking with your chiropractor about your health history, there may be things that you don’t want to share or that frankly seem irrelevant. Don’t leave them out, though. There may be some factors from past health concerns that can help resolve the problem at hand.
• Back pain isn’t necessarily about your back. Back pain can be debilitating, but it may not always be about your back. A chiropractor will look into the cause of your back pain and will work on treating the source of the pain rather than the pain itself.
• Your wallet and phone and other items you keep in your back pocket can be seriously damaging. If you keep your phone, wallet, keys, or other bulky items in your back pocket and typically sit on them, you are causing a postural distortion to your lumbar which can affect the entire nervous system.
• Sometimes you might feel worse before you start to feel better. As you begin working with a chiropractor, and they create movements in the spine and extremities, your muscles will try to protect your body which can result in muscle spasms, tightness and soreness.
• You have to follow instructions for the treatment to work well. Treatment doesn’t stop when you walk out the office door. Your chiropractor can adjust you and ensure that your body is properly aligned. However, if you don’t do the exercises or follow the diet prescribed, you likely won’t see the results you’re looking for.
  

How Chiropractic Care Improves Mental Health

Mental health awareness has spread across the United States and beyond as a topic that is discussed much more openly and without judgement. Since most chiropractors believe that the human body is one interconnected system, it’s no wonder that we have seen the positive benefits chiropractic care can have on our patient’s mental wellbeing.

Anxiety and depression are two conditions that feed into our cycles of stress, and can worsen when our nervous system is not functioning as it should. The spinal column is responsible for the internal workings of organs, tissues, and various systems. When it is not in proper alignment, the body may get into a state of constant tension. To explain this point further, consider these facts:

• When the body is flooded with cortisol and adrenaline, physical symptoms of anxiety and stress can result. 
• Muscles that are in a state of tension will have higher tension, and it isn’t uncommon for knots and trigger points to develop, where carbon dioxide and lactic acide has accumulated. This can eventually lead to significant pain.
• Bones that are tight enough can begin to pull bones out of alignment, resulting in subluxations (which a chiropractor in Mesa from LifeCare can help with!). 
• Bones that are out of alignment can make the nervous system more hyper-reactive, where people can become more easily prone to irritability.

When the body is in pain, it tends to be driven by a flight or flight mode. It can be difficult to sleep when the body is surging with adrenaline and cortisol. The parasympathetic nervous system has a harder time taking over and permitting the body to relax. Your chiropractor can discuss with you where misalignments of your spine are and how that may be impacting your lack of sleep, poor mood, sluggishness, pain, and other symptoms. In addition to spinal manipulation, your chiropractor may suggest other techniques, such as meditation, massage, and healthy nutrition.

Key Points To Know About a Chiropractor in Mesa, Arizona

You may be thinking about seeing a chiropractor to look at the aches and pains you’ve been experiencing. Many patients report positive results from working regularly with a chiropractic professional at Lifecare Chiropractic. Before you make a final decision, it’s helpful to understand what procedures you’ll undergo and how this intervention will work. The more you know about what to expect from a chiropractor, the more comfortable you’ll feel about going this route.

Initial Visit

Once you choose a chiropractor from LifeCare Chiropractic and schedule an appointment, you can get ready for the initial visit. In this first meeting, the chiropractor will go over your health history. The two of you will discuss your overall wellness, what is bothering you and what pains you’re experiencing that have led you to this point. Our chiropractor may take x-rays and ask questions regarding prior health conditions, treatments, surgeries and medications. This is an opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns you may have. This meeting will give the chiropractor the chance to formulate a treatment plan, and decide which methods are best for your situation.

What They Treat

Chiropractors at LifeCare are well-known for helping to minimize or even eliminate spinal pain. However, these trained professionals can also address discomfort in the head, shoulders, arms, legs and feet. People see chiropractors after suffering injuries in car accidents or falls. It’s also common to seek chiropractic care for lifelong, chronic pain in the body.

What Happens Next?

Your chiropractor will see you several times over a long period and will perform an adjustment at each visit. This isn’t a simple pop or crack of the back, as some people may think. In an adjustment, the chiropractor at Lifecare Chiropractic manipulates your spine to help realign it properly. This is intended to help promote better function in your body so it can heal itself without introducing drugs. During appointments, your chiropractor may also include other strategies such as heat and even massage therapy.

How Much and How Often

The extent and duration of your visits with a Mesa chiropractor in Arizona will depend on your condition and the severity of your injuries and pain. Some people may see a chiropractor multiple times per week for a total of several weeks. Others may make ongoing, indefinite visits once a week or a couple of times a month. Your chiropractor will determine what will be most effective for you.

Call LifeCare Chiropractic Today To Get Started

Ready to get well? Now that you know what your chiropractor has in store for you, make an appointment today. You could be on the road to better health than you’ve experienced in years.

Contact Lifecare Chiropractic now to schedule an appointment with an Arizona chiropractor in Mesa at our centrally located office.

Resources:

How Does A Chiropractor Know Where To Adjust A Patient?

Client Review

“Had a great experience. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I am looking forward to seeing great results on my treatment. I’d highly recommend LifeCare chiropractic.”
Francisco C