Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage but is used to target knots and release chronic muscle tension. Other benefits include reducing inflammation and helping to eliminate scar tissue. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).

Deep tissue massage uses strokes across the grain of the muscles, not with the grain as in Swedish massage. The more intense movements and techniques such as deep finger pressure may be slightly uncomfortable and cause soreness that lasts a couple of days before resulting in the desired relaxation and pain relief.

Sports Massage
Sports massage is geared toward athletes of every kind, from world-class professionals to weekend joggers. The particulars of the massage are specific to the athlete’s sport of choice and are often focused on a particular troublesome area like a knee or shoulder.

Aspects of massage are gaining popularity as useful components in a balanced training regimen. Sports massage can be used as a means to enhance pre-event preparation and reduce recovery time for maximum performance during training or after an event. Athletes have discovered that specially designed massage promotes flexibility, removes fatigue, improves endurance, helps prevent injuries, and prepares them to compete at their absolute best.

Trigger Point Therapy
A trigger point is a tight area within muscle tissue that causes pain in other parts of the body. A trigger point in the back, for example, may trigger pain in the neck. The neck, now acting as a satellite trigger point, may then cause pain in the head. The pain may be sharp and intense or a dull ache. Trigger points are caused by muscle overuse or injury, and because the aches are associated with moving parts, the pain is commonly mistaken for arthritis.

Trigger point massage (also known as myotherapy) is specifically designed to alleviate the source of the pain through cycles of isolated pressure and release. In this type of massage the recipient actively participates through deep breathing as well as identifying the exact location and intensity of the discomfort.

The result of trigger point massage is the elimination of toxins in the muscles and the release of energizing endorphins. A significant decrease in pain is often found after just one treatment.

Traction-Massage
In chiropractic traction-massage, the patient sits comfortably in a relaxing traction-massage chair. A system of rollers then moves up and down the spine, gently stretching the spinal joints and massaging the muscles of the back. Traction-massage is performed either before or after an adjustment to relax the spine, making the adjustment easier to perform or to relax the patient to experience a more comfortable, and more beneficial adjustment.

Many chiropractors also use more traditional traction in which traction devices are applied to elongate areas of the spine. This treatment helps separate the vertebrae resulting in disc decompression, reduced nerve root pressure, and decreased pain. 

Soft Tissue and Massage Therapy
Massage therapy helps improve circulation and reduce pain. Our massage therapists are trained in a variety of massage therapy modalities. The need and benefits of these therapies vary from patient to patient. Your chiropractor will choose the best method for your specific needs. AtVickery Chiropractic we have an on-site massage therapist to effectively treat your soft tissue injuries.

Benefits of massage therapy:

• Circulates blood, removing metabolic by-products & bringing oxygen & nutrients to the tissues
• Stimulates lymphatic drainage
• Increases tissue elasticity & flexibility
• Increases range of motion
• Decreases adhesions
• Increases energy
• Stimulates secretion of endorphins
• Increases relaxation
• Reduces anxiety
• Decreases recovery time from exercise
• Decreases muscle tension & discomfort