Massage therapy and chiropractic medicine are often lumped together. Like any kind of alternative healthcare option, these practices aren’t always condoned by the medical community, and they often exist on the fringes, recommended only when all other types of therapy fail to make an impact.

However, anecdotal evidence and a growing amount of scientific research are proving that there is a place for chiropractics and massage in the mainstream healthcare setting. If you’re interested in this field, you may find a way to combine both health alternatives to create a successful niche.

 Effectiveness of Chiropractics and Massage

According to a Consumer Reports survey that asked over 34,000 readers to share their alternative health experiences, chiropractic care ranked highest of all conventional treatments for back pain, while deep-tissue massage reached the top of the lists for osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Although there are no conclusive reasons why, experts hypothesize that it has to do with the hands-on nature of chiropractic and massage treatments.

No other type of healthcare (with the exception of physical therapy) puts the care provider so much in touch with the patient. The moderate pressure of both types of treatments help stimulate the body in ways that reduce pain and increase functionality—something most back pain and fibromyalgia sufferers want more than anything.

That’s why any professional who can combine both licensed chiropractic and licensed massage work is poised for a great career. Once you become a known provider of these kinds of services, you might be surprised at how many referrals and clients will get sent your way.

 How to Become a Chiropractic Massage Therapist

As a specialty, chiropractic massage doesn’t technically exist. In most cases, those who provide these services are licensed massage therapists who work in a chiropractic office or under the direction of a licensed chiropractor. The primary focus is on deep-tissue and other rehabilitative massage, and an accreditation from the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) is a good place to start looking for programs.

Prospective students should also look for schools that allow them to sit for the national certification exam through the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB). Because chiropractic medicine is a sort of bridge between traditional healthcare and holistic healthcare, the higher your credentials and the more advanced your education, the better your chances of success.

Tagged as: chiropractic massage