It’s not always easy to know if you need a chiropractor or massage. There are several important differences that can help determine the best choice for you.

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Chiropractors are licensed professionals who provide spinal manipulation for pain relief and musculoskeletal issues. Their goal is to ensure all parts of your bodywork are in harmony, though they use techniques that differ from those of massage therapists.

Chiropractic care may include spinal manipulation, the use of heat or ice packs to reduce inflammation, and trigger point therapy where pressure is applied to certain points on your muscles in order to relax them.

When choosing a chiropractor, make sure they are licensed with the state you live in. Most states require two years of education at an accredited school followed by passage of a national exam. If you’re unsure if your prospective therapist has this training or not, ask them for proof before making an appointment with them.

For many health insurance plans, chiropractic care is considered “out-of-network.” This means you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket unless you have a secondary insurance plan.

In general, chiropractors are very concerned with your posture and how it affects spine alignment, which is why you may be advised to practice good posture at all times. Even sleeping habits may come under scrutiny during your initial consultation as many people assume poor posture while they’re resting also contributes to back pain.

Chiropractors will use hands-on techniques when treating patients in order to increase comfort and reduce stress on their muscles. Massage therapists, on the other hand, place their focus on improving blood flow in the body so that tissues can recover from injury faster and restore healthy function.

Massage therapy is not covered by health insurance unless you have a rare medical condition or work for an ambulance service. In these cases, you may need to get a doctor’s referral in order to receive treatment from a massage therapist.