Chiropractic Treatment Vs. Massage Therapy: What Treatment Should You Choose?

When it comes to chiropractic or massage therapy, do you know which is best for you? Chiropractors and massage therapists are both specialists who manually manipulate various parts of the body for the purposes of healing.

So, what's the difference between the treatments, and what types of requirements do you have to go through to get these professional certifications? Read on for an overview.

Chiropractor Training and Scope

Chiropractors are doctors trained in a broad spectrum of holistic health and are primary healthcare providers with extensive training. Chiropractic medicine is a legitimate profession that offers diagnosis, treatment and prevention. It focuses on neuro-musculoskeletal problems and takes on a unique slant to healing, which is different from any other in the medical field. They focus on joint, muscle, and bone pain, with a primary focus on the spine and back.

Chiropractors are trained to offer thorough assessments and treatment recommendations that often incorporate a variety of therapies based on lifestyle factors and natural treatments whenever possible.

In Canada, chiropractors cannot get their license and registration without seven years of university education plus a certain amount of hours of practical experience. This number varies between provinces. Chiropractors have a background in science and are well-versed in a range of therapies.

There is also a national forum that brings the provinces together and is called the Canadian Federation of Chiropractic Regulatory and Educational Accrediting Boards (Federation).

Massage Therapists’ Training and Scope

In Canada, a registered massage therapist (RMT) is required to have completed a certain amount of training and clinical hours as well as be registered by the province. Provincial accreditation standards vary, but typically a person will spend years in full-time school studying anatomy, physiology, biology and more.

The length and type of training a person gets will depend on the kind of massage therapy they want to specialize in as well as where they become licenced.

Choosing the Right Professional for Your Healthcare Needs

A chiropractor is a doctor who makes recommendations to patients about different treatments, including massage therapy. And a massage therapist's job, while also therapeutic, is typically about less severe injuries, stress relief, or injuries that have less to do with the spine directly.

Both chiropractic treatment and massage therapy tend to take a holistic approach, offering natural treatment options for those with back pain and injuries. And both are considered complementary, alternative medicine rather than primary therapy. Thus, a doctor or other primary caregiver will likely recommend one or the other depending on your unique healthcare and treatment needs.

If you have questions about the qualifications of a healthcare provider, don't hesitate to reach out and ask. Most people appreciate being asked about their training and background, so it could even be a good topic of conversation while you’re in a treatment session.

The most important thing is that you feel safe and that you can trust your chiropractor or massage therapist with any personal health information. Contact Chiro-Med today to schedule your FREE Consultation.