Team Approach

Data shows that musculoskeletal symptoms-such as pain, discomfort, spasms, limited movement, stiffness and weakness-are one of the most common reasons for physician visits. Maybe it's time to take a team approach.

Whether pain is holding you back or you just want to feel your best, your massage therapist, orthopedist and chiropractor can work together. In fact, just as your muscles and bones work together to keep your body strong and in alignment, a multidisciplinary approach may be just what the doctor ordered.

Some crossover is already taking shape. The 2005 edition of the Job Analysis of Chiropractic shows that chiropractors frequently refer patients to massage therapists. Chiropractors, in turn, often receive patient referrals from massage therapists. "Chiropractic and massage therapy, used in combination, form a powerful healing approach to most types of musculoskeletal pain," says Cynthia Vaughn, D.C., spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association.

Meanwhile, orthopedic specialists have a growing arsenal of treatments-from counseling and education, to massage and acupuncture, to pain medication and even surgery-that can get you moving in the right direction.

Massage can be an essential part of pain relief. To help our members tackle chronic pain, Massage Envy partners with many chiropractors across the country.

To find out more about how massage can help you beat back pain, visit the Touch Research Institute website at www6.miami.edu/touch-research/.

To find out how regular massage therapy at a Massage Envy clinic could help, visit MassageEnvy.com and look for the Pain Management link on the home page.