What IS the difference between a Chiropractor and Massage Therapist?
While chiropractors and massage therapists use their hands to take care of patients, there’s a really drastic difference between them. Most chiropractors will wholeheartedly advocate massage therapy for certain patients. Massage therapy is a very important form of healing, but it does not have the identical broad range of practice that chiropractic does.
Chiropractors are primary healthcare providers and can help treat a number of conditions. Their main objective is to release subluxations in the spine to make sure the body and the nervous system are operating at their best possible level. There are quite a few additional differences between chiropractors and massage therapists also. Understanding these differences can help any individual determine whether they will need to see a chiropractor or a massage therapist for their health care needs.
Massage therapist are more focused towards relieving stress and just working on your body to loosen up trouble areas. They know what areas to work more to reduce your stress, they know all the little tips and tricks you need to start feeling great again.
Chiropractic & Massage Training and Education
Among the biggest differences between massage therapy and chiropractic care is the amount of education that these individuals must complete. Chiropractors are doctors who not only need a four-year undergraduate education but also a four-year doctorate of chiropractic program. During their applications, these people must not only receive extensive training, but also complete a residency program, pass several rounds of boards and certification examinations and take classes in physics, biology, physiology and anatomy and chemistry.
Massage therapists on the other hand normally finish around 500 hours of training, although it does vary from state to state. But that’s not to say they don’t know what they’re doing, they receive a lot of education and are well-versed before they’re allowed to practice. 500 hours is no small amount of time.