Patients ask us all the time, asking, “Should I use massage or Chiropractor for neck and shoulder pain?” On the surface, chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy sessions can seem very similar. Granted, chiropractors and massage therapists focus on relieving joint and muscle pain, preventing injuries, and helping people recover from injuries they’ve experienced. Still, their treatment methods can be very different. Both types of treatment benefit many types of injuries and chronic conditions. Understanding the difference between these two types of treatment can help you decide which is best for your specific condition or injury. 

What Do Chiropractors Do?

Chiropractors use their hands to restore range of movement to stuck or “subluxated” joints, relieving pain and improving performance. Chiropractic focuses primarily on the spinal joints and the musculoskeletal system, including the tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones. When the bones that make up the spine (vertebrae) stop functioning properly, people can experience pain and stiffness as well as more serious issues, Motion in the spine 

The primary goal of chiropractic care is pain relief, increased strength and mobility, improved recovery time after injury, and easing the pain of chronic conditions and injuries. Chiropractors work with their patients individually to address the cause of their pain. 

When Should You See a Denver Chiropractor?

Deciding between massage or chiropractic for neck and shoulder pain can be confusing. It’s best to see a Chiropractor as soon as you begin experiencing joint pain, neck pain, back pain, headaches, or issues with mobility. Chronic pain in the spine, pelvis, and shoulders, or pain radiating to the arms or legs. In addition, other problems we treat in our patients include muscle pain, plantar fasciitis, and sciatica. 

However, if you’re unsure what is causing your neck and shoulder pain, visiting a Chiropractor before a massage therapist is wise. A doctor of Chiropractic is typically better suited to diagnose your problem accurately than a massage therapist. Integrative Health and Rehabilitation chiropractors have decades of experience accurately diagnosing and treating injuries. They can quickly diagnose the cause of your pain and determine if massage therapy can help.

What Do Massage Therapists Do?

The primary difference between massages and chiropractic adjustments is that massage therapy focuses on muscles and soft tissues. Massage therapists use their hands to relieve muscle pain, tension, and stiffness. Massage therapists can vary the styles of massage they use. One style uses slower, heavier pressure for a “deeper” massage. If you prefer a more relaxing massage, a Swedish-style massage focuses on increasing circulation to help bring oxygen and nutrients to the muscles and flush toxins.

An experienced massage therapist will be familiar with many types or styles of massage and should be able to help you decide what is best for your neck and shoulder pain.

When Should You See A Massage Therapist?

Massage therapy is an excellent solution for relieving stress and tension muscle tightness. Massages can also improve your range of motion, relieve chronic headaches, and improve your sleep. There are also times when massage is contraindicated. If you are experiencing any of the following conditions, you should NOT receive a massage:

  • High Fever
  • Meningitis
  • Severe Atherosclerosis
  • Acute Pneumonia
  • Eclampsia
  • Severe Hemophilia
  • Pitting Edema
  • Infectious Skin Condition   

Massage or Chiropractor First for Neck Pain

If you’re experiencing neck pain, you may wonder whether to visit a massage therapist or chiropractor first. While both treatments can be beneficial, seeing a chiropractor initially is often the best approach. Chiropractors specialize in identifying and correcting subluxations—those stuck or misaligned segments in your neck that restrict motion and cause discomfort. The chiropractic adjustment reduces joint inflammation, muscle guarding, and nerve irritation by restoring proper alignment and movement.

Once the neck’s motion is restored, a massage therapist can focus on reducing target trigger points and adhesions, addressing muscular tension, and enhancing recovery. This combined approach ensures that your neck pain is treated at both the structural and muscular levels, providing long-lasting relief and promoting overall wellness. Schedule an appointment with a chiropractor today to get started on the right path to feeling better.

Who is Better? Massage or Chiropractor for Neck Pain and Shoulder Pain?

Whether a Chiropractor or Massage Therapist is better depends on your specific problem. Combining chiropractic and massage therapy can relieve pain, improve mobility, and reduce muscle tightness.  Massage therapy could benefit you if your only complaint is muscular pain or tension. Consulting a chiropractor may be necessary if you have been experiencing joint, spine, or musculoskeletal pain. 

If you are experiencing pain in the spine that radiates to the arms or legs, it is typically a spinal condition that tends to respond best to chiropractic care. This type of radicular (radiating) pain is most often the result of nerve irritation where the spinal nerves exit between the vertebrae in the spine. Muscle tightness and stiffness can also occur in these situations but are most often a protective mechanism. When a joint gets inflamed or irritated, the muscles will spasm as a splint.

Experiencing Neck Pain, Chiropractor or Massage Are Both Helpful

These two therapies work well together when deciding whether to see a chiropractor versus a massage therapist. Chiropractic and massage are both more effective when combined. Other types of treatment that work well with affordable chiropractic adjustments include acupuncture, dry needling, and laser therapy.

How Can Integrative Health and Rehabilitation Help You?

The team at Integrative Health and Rehabilitation is here to help. Diagnosing and treating the true source of your pain can be a challenge. That’s why our providers are committed to working with you to determine the cause of your condition and help you recover as quickly as possible. If you’re unsure whether to use massage or Chiropractor for neck and shoulder pain, schedule a FREE consultation, and we will help you decide.

Looking for a Chiropractor in Denver? Still have questions? Contact us or read some of our 5-Star Google reviews to learn why we are the chiropractor Denver seeks for fast, effective, and lasting pain relief. We’ve been helping patients in Arvada, Denver, and Wheat Ridge, CO with our affordable Chiropractic clinic for over 20 years. Lastly, learn more about the conditions we treat and the benefits of the many types of treatment we provide on our Health Articles page. Ready to start feeling better? Book an appointment online!