There are many different exciting and rewarding massage careers available to new and existing massage therapists.  A massage therapist can choose to work in any environment they want while making their own hours.  Massage therapy is one of the very few careers that allow someone to make their own hours.  A massage therapist can choose to work independently and out of their home.   A  massage therapist can also choose to work and travel to a client’s home or office. Many massage therapists have a large base from traveling to their clients, as many people don’t have the time to schedule a massage at their place of work. 

Career Opportunities

If working on your own isn’t for you, there are many different corporate opportunities available to you.  You can choose to work at a salon and spa, a massage therapy clinic, wellness clinic, chiropractic office or even a destination vacation spot.    Massage therapists can also be found in most all major hotel chains, cruise lines, movie sets or even sports therapy rehabilitation clinics.  A massage therapist can also choose to get into teaching or selling massage therapy equipment and products.  You can choose to become a certified massage therapist instructor and teach in-house at a college or school.  You may also choose to be an independent teacher and offer classes at promotional events or corporate gatherings.   A massage therapist can also choose to sell massage therapy equipment or products.  Many opportunities are available with the companies who produce the massage tables, lotions and equipment the massage therapist uses.  You can choose to be in outside sales rep for major producer of the massage therapy equipment or you can choose to manage the sales massage therapy reps.  There are many different options.  It’s always vital for the massage therapist to network and check with their local job massage career listings online or on site.  There are exclusive web based sites available just for massage therapists, it’s essential to post your resume out there to explore new local opportunities and promotions.   

Lower back pain can be caused by a variety of different factors.  Each patient’ treatment options will vary and will depend on the level of pain and diagnosis made by the Chiropractor or medical physician they see.  Some patients may experience persistent pain that is due to a muscle strain or sprain in the lower back region, while other patients may experience back pain due to poor posture.  Other activities such as improper lifting, exercising without stretching or having an underlying condition can all attribute to patients having lower back pain.  Each diagnosis is different and every patient’s recovery time will vary depending on the severity of the pain and initial diagnosis made by the doctor.  

Chiropractic care

Patients that experience acute pain can generally get relief by exercise and slight changes in their daily habits.  In most cases surgery is not needed for acute lower back pain.   Another lower back treatment for patients that are experiencing acute pain is chiropractic care.  Chiropractic care is a great option for patients because it doesn’t require the patient to take medication or on site injections.  It’s great for someone who isn’t looking for a long term medication plan, but wants a natural, safe treatment for their pain.  A chiropractor can assess your underlying issues and make necessary adjustments to realign the lower back into its natural position.  A patient may be seen once a week or more depending on the severity of the issue.  It’s also important that the patient take home the chiropractor’s at home care instructions to ensure the adjustments hold their positioning longer. 

Surgery

Patients that are experiencing more serious or chronic back pain may have to resort to surgery.  This is always the last resort when all other options have been exhausted for the patient.  If chiropractic treatments are not remedying your problem, the chiropractor will refer you to a medical doctor who will determine if you need surgery.

Lower back aches are  commonly felt by adults and the elderly.  They can be caused by a strain or sprain within the back, or even a previous underlying medical condition.  In some cases lower back pain can mean that a patient has arthritis or even spinal stenosis.  These conditions or other underlying conditions can become very serious if they are left untreated. It is important that you seek treatment before your lower back pain becomes debilitating.  In acute cases lower back pain can be very manageable and corrected within a short time. 

Treatments

Chiropractors offer a safe, natural approach to treating low back pain that does not involve medication. The chiropractic approach consists of gentle adjustments to affected vertebra, as well as associated therapies and at-home stretching activities.  This treatment works to correct the physical cause of the back pain, thereby correcting the root of the problem.  On the other hand, medical doctors will typically prescribe a lower dose pain killer to relieve the lower back pain.  Patients have a lot of different options available to them.  Depending on the severity of the low back ache/pain, chiropractors may recommended supplementing their treatment with massages, physical therapy, or an acupuncturist. 

Gonstead chiropractors will find the problem, determine proper medical care, fix the issue and then leave it alone.  They do not require patients to come back for further visits.  The theory of Gonstead Chiropractic states that the body is a foundation, and any change in the foundation can lead to a collapse.  The foundation in the body is formed by the pelvic girdle, and maximum stability and balance is located in the spinal column.  When the pelvic girdle becomes misaligned, negative changes occur throughout the body.  Misalignments can cause a large amount of pain in various parts of the back. 

Subluxation

 Chiropractors refer to a subluxation as a misalignment of the vertebrae that builds up pressure on a disc, causing it to swell.  Chiropractors are able to detect a misaligned vertebra in the spine, especially those in the upper part of the back.  Recognizing and correcting the misaligned spine is an important part of the Gonstead theory.  All parts of the spine should be adjusted to completely correct the subluxation.  If the top and bottom of the vertebra are misaligned, but only the top is corrected, the patient will only experience limited relief.  For complete and long lasting results, all parts of the vertebrae must be identified and adjusted to restore them back to normal.  The purpose of the Gonstead concept is to find the subluxation(s) and correct the problem.  

Do you suffer with chronic low back or neck pain that causes radiating numbness and tingling symptoms into your limbs?  You might be suffering from foraminal narrowing symptoms.  When pain is at its worst, foraminal stenosis can limit your activities of daily living and permit you from doing the things you love, like picking up your grandson or granddaughter, gardening, playing golf or tennis, riding a bike, and even walking short distances.  When the spinal canal narrows this creates less space for the essential nerves and vascular structures, applying pressure and causing nerve pain.  This condition can even cause loss of bladder and bowel function.  The most common cause of neural foraminal stenosis is due to disc degeneration.  Throughout our lifetime, the disc can herniated, causing a disc bulge and later causing stenosis. 

Treatment

Common treatment for this condition includes but is not limited to: Chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, Cortisone injections, and anti-inflammatory medications.  Back surgery should be used only when all other treatments fail.  The surgery typically has to be repeated because it’s ineffective at decreasing the pain and root of the cause.  By cutting away the foramina, the body will further develop scar tissue/adhesions and cause more pain, inflammation, and decreased mobility.  A Chiropractic technique known as Cox Flexion/Distraction helps to decompress or “pump” the disc to bring blood into the damaged tissues, relieving pain and inflammation and therefore increasing range of motion.  This technique allows normal sensations to return to the arms and legs and eliminates the numbness and tingling.  One must take every consideration into effect when choosing an appropriate treatment for foraminal narrowing.   

Chiropractic Massage Tables

Chiropractic massage tables are used to provide a therapeutic massage on the patient’s spine.  There are several examples of chiropractic massage tables used within the industry.  Depending on the patient’s condition, chiropractic massage tables are typically beneficial in improving existing conditions.  The physician will conduct a health examination with the patient prior to treatment to determine the appropriate chiropractic massage table for treatment.   

Types

The chiropractic massage table is a basic stationary table where patients receive hands-on massages.  Some patients don’t like hands on massages. For that reason, a chiropractic water massage table is more suitable because patients don’t have to be touched or remove clothing.  Chiropractic water massage tables combine heat, massage and water to provide a therapeutic experience.  The water jet massage provides a fully clothed, dry massage.  Physicians may also use a Chiropractic Motorized Massage Table to knead out knots or sooth tender muscles.  The table includes rolling bars that travel along the upper and lower part of the body.  Researchers say that the rollers separate and lift various parts of the spine.  Rollers elevate the back to increase the intensity of pressure during the massage session.  Although many people find this massage beneficial, others say that the bars on the table are painful and tend to be too harsh in some areas of the body.  Depending on the existing health condition, some individuals may experience severe pain when the rollers move along the spine.  Those who don’t like Chiropractic Motorized Massage Table may prefer the chiropractic water massage table as it is gentler on tender or achy muscles.    

Chiropractice, also known as Chiropractic, care should only be performed by real Chiropractor. Chiropractors have to go through seven years of Chiropractic schooling and take all the necessary state board licensure testing in order to practice Chiropractic care.  You should never receive adjustments from a massage therapist or friend, unless they are also a state licensed Chiropractor.  Chiropractic care has been around for thousands of years. It started out in 1895 by Dr. Palmer and has evolved over the years. 

Today’s Chiropractic care

Today, there are several different machines and extra tools that can be used to assist the patients in their recovery time.  Today there are moist heat machines that help to assist the patients in relaxing before receiving their adjustments.  There are also traction devices which assist in the adjustments holding better along with other machines to assist in the removal of built up scar tissue around the joints.  Each Chiropractor will have different machines and extra tools available to the patient if needed.   Chiropractic care is recommended for all age groups, babies, teenagers, the elderly, and adults.  They can all benefit from receiving chiropractic care and adjustments.  Most Chiropractors also take all major insurance cards.  Most insurance companies support Chiropractic care and have an allotment you can use each year.  Some Chiropractors also have in house massage therapists on staff.  This is another benefit to the patient as some insurance policies also allow for an allotment for massages through your Chiropractor.  You can call your insurance company to get more information on the allotment you are allowed per year, and which doctors are covered through your insurance policy.

Salary Range

In April of 2009, the average salary for a chiropractor was reported at $85,273.  Chiropractors in the 75^th percentile made $103,218 per year, and those in the 25^th percentile made $68,791 per year.  The salary for a chiropractor practicing in IL averages roughly $40 per hour.  Like many other professions, earnings are generally low in the beginning, but increase as the chiropractor builds experience and a positive reputation in the community.  On average, chiropractors who work for an employer earn less than those who own their own practice.  Chiropractic salaries are influence by various components such as geographic location, education, and experience.  The more education and experience the physician has, the more money he/she can make.   

Career Outlook

Chiropractors are viewed as natural healers because they avoid surgery and prescription medications.  Many health-conscious Americans are utilizing chiropractic care as an alternative treatment for neck or back pain.  For this reason, chiropractic careers are expected to increase by 14 percent through 2015.  There are more than 55,000 practicing chiropractors in the U.S. and the profession is expected to expand.  A small number of chiropractors work as college instructors or conduct research at facilities.  As this field grows, it may become harder for some people to find a job, therefore it’s important that chiropractic students advance their education as much as possible.           

Chiropractic massage is very beneficial for someone who is struggling with tension or pain within their neck, back, legs, or arms.  A chiropractic massage can be done either before or after being adjusted.  Generally your Chiropractor will suggest to you which method will be the most beneficial for your treatment that day.  Your Chiropractor will also work closely with the massage therapist to ensure the areas you need worked on will be treated carefully.  This will assist in holding the adjustments longer. 

Benefits

Patients that receive regular Chiropractic massages on a regular basis feel less tension, pain and stress in their body.   It truly helps to release any underlying toxins and it gives the patient a relaxing experience.  Some massages can also be covered by a patient’s medical insurance; there may be an allotment that can be used for Chiropractic care and massages.   Or, the patient can choose to pay out of pocket for the massage.  Prices will vary at each location along with time allotments.  Typically, most Chiropractic offices will offer thirty minute massages to ninety minute massages.  Some clinics may also offer specialty massages such as the hot stone massage or aromatherapy.  If the client is paying full cash, there may also be massage packages or deals offered seasonally or on a regular basis to the customer. 

In the Workplace

Chiropractic massage is also offered in the workplace.  Many Chiropractic clinics are now coming to various workplaces to offer a total wellness program to those at work.  It’s great for someone who cannot get out to receive a massage on a monthly basis, or for someone who regularly sees a Chiropractor and doesn’t have the time to schedule a massage before or after the adjustments are made.  You can also call your local office to see if they offer on site massages so they can come to your office on your break at work.  They may also do individual calls or group rates depending on your location or employer.