Chiropractic Massage Therapy | West LA Chiropractic®
Can massage therapy replace chiropractic care for back and neck pain? Not usually — massage relaxes tight muscles and improves blood flow, but it doesn’t correct the joint misalignment or nerve compression often driving the pain. Combining chiropractic adjustments with massage therapy addresses both the muscular and structural sides at the same time, and research suggests patients getting combined care report more improvement than chiropractic care alone.
Why Massage Alone Often Isn’t Enough
Muscle tightness is frequently a symptom, not the root cause. When a spinal joint is misaligned or a nerve is compressed, the surrounding muscles tense up to protect it — and stay tense even after a massage, because the underlying joint problem hasn’t been addressed. That’s why relief from massage alone often fades within a day or two.
How Chiropractic Adjustments and Massage Work Together
Chiropractic adjustment corrects the joint misalignment and reduces nerve interference. Massage therapy relaxes the surrounding muscles, improves circulation, and helps the adjustment “hold” longer by reducing the muscle guarding that can pull joints back out of place. Used together, each treatment supports what the other is doing.
What the Research Shows
A 200-patient randomized clinical trial from Northwestern Health Sciences University compared chiropractic care alone to integrative care — chiropractic combined with massage therapy and other complementary treatments — for low back pain1. Patients receiving the combined approach reported significantly more pain reduction and higher satisfaction with care at both 12 weeks and one year, though the researchers noted the differences between groups were modest.
What to Expect at West Los Angeles Chiropractic®
Dr. Michael C. Karr, D.C. — a UCLA Kinesiology graduate who completed a postgraduate program in radiology — has treated patients throughout West LA, Santa Monica, Culver City, Venice, and Westwood for over 35 years. Massage therapy is available in-office alongside chiropractic adjustment, cold laser therapy, and MedX spinal rehabilitation, with same-day digital X-rays when needed.
FAQ: Chiropractic Massage Therapy
Does insurance cover chiropractic massage therapy?
Coverage varies by plan. Call Betty at 310-914-9400 and our office can help verify your specific benefits.
Can I get a massage without a chiropractic adjustment?
Yes, though most patients get the most benefit from combining both in the same visit.
How often should I combine massage with chiropractic care?
This depends on your condition and is best determined during your evaluation with Dr. Karr.
Individual results vary. Not medical advice.
Sources:
1. Bronfort G, et al. “Individualized Chiropractic and Integrative Care for Low Back Pain: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Northwestern Health Sciences University, NCT00567333. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3373345/
