
Chiropractic Massage Therapy
When chiropractic care is used in conjunction with massage therapy, both treatments work together to create a harmonious effect, resulting in a much faster recovery time for the patient. When the body becomes more relaxed through massage, it allows the doctor of chiropractic to smoothly realign various parts of it.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
While many massage techniques induce relaxation with soothing and gentle kneading, deep tissue massage involves more intense muscle manipulation. Deep tissue massage therapy is similar to Swedish massage, but the deeper pressure is beneficial in releasing chronic muscle tension. Additionally, this type of massage reduces stress hormone levels and heart rate while boosting mood and relaxation by triggering the release of oxytocin and serotonin.

RELAXATION MASSAGE
Indulgent and soothing, relaxation massage may not provide therapeutic treatment, but the psychological benefits of the deep relaxation it provides are equally beneficial to body, mind and spirit. Intended to relax tense muscles and ease stress, relaxation massage is the perfect antidote to workweek stress and a wonderful way to unwind.

SPORTS MASSAGE
Though originally designed to help athletes perform at optimum levels during games, sports massage is growing in popularity as an effective treatment for sports-related injuries or limited range of motion. Sports massage focuses on a client’s trouble spots, like shoulder soreness after eighteen holes of golf, or a tender hamstring just before a big race. Sports massage therapists understand sport-related injuries, and can help minimize pain, speed recovery and help clients perform their best at their favorite activities with full range of motion.

BURN SCAR MASSAGE
Combined with traditional medical treatment, burn scar massage therapy is an effective means to controlling the development of scar tissue and helping burn victims to heal more quickly. When combined with stretching, massage can make the scar looser, more comfortable, and improve range of motion.
When a burn occurs, the injury may take months to fully reveal itself in scarring and loss of mobility. Because burned skin needs special care, burn scar massage therapy is a highly-effective tool for promoting skin rejuvenation. Soothing and restorative, this type of massage helps to keep burned skin soft and supple as it heals and helps burn victims to better function in their daily lives.
Once a burn scar has matured past the threat of shearing, or pulling away from healthy tissue, many doctors advise their patients to undergo burn scar massage therapy as a part of their recovery treatment plan. When performed at least once a day during the critical healing period, burn scar therapy combines gentle massage strokes, pressure, skin moisturizers and heat. The result is more flexible skin, less pain and itching and lessnoticeable scarring.

Prenatal Massage
Attending to the unique needs of expectant mothers is the goal of every prenatal massage. Certified prenatal massage therapists are specially trained to tailor their massage techniques to help alleviate common pregnancy complaints and to protect both mother and child during the massage.
How Does Prenatal Massage Work?
Prenatal massage is unique in its application. During the massage, the expectant mother is carefully supported by cushions and pillows in order to provide superior comfort and protect her and the baby from strain or injury. This also helps alleviate extra strain on the lower back and pelvic areas when the pressure of massage techniques are applied.
Prenatal massage is especially gentle, and deep tissue techniques are never used as a safety precaution. In fact, many areas of the body are avoided during this massage to protect mother and child, while extra attention is given to areas of the body that are particularly affected by pregnancy, like the feet and back.
The benefits of prenatal massage are numerous. The gentle kneading massage can be supremely comforting both physically and emotionally to an expectant mother, and the psychological benefit itself can be quite therapeutic. In addition to stress and anxiety reduction, prenatal massage can help reduce expectant mothers’ common aches and annoyances, like swollen ankles lower back pain, leg cramps and headaches.
Women with normal, low-risk pregnancies can benefit greatly from prenatal massage. However, women in high-risk pregnancies should consult their doctor or midwife before beginning a massage therapy program.
Serving Santa Fe Community For Over 20 Years
Dr. Gilbert and the rest of the friendly team at Gilbert Chiropractic Wellness Center are dedicated to finding solutions to each patient’s road blocks to optimal health. If you are suffering from neck and back pain, headache or just plain old muscular tightness and tension, we are here to help! Dr. Gilbert also manages and treats injuries from auto accidents, falls and sports-related complaints.
Dr. Gilbert takes the time to do a comprehensive chiropractic and physical exam and detailed case and history review. If you want to improve your overall health, Dr. Gilbert will review lifestyle issues and include body specific nutritional and metabolic assessments. A plan of action will be developed that is specific to your condition and health goals.

Did You Know...?
"Observational study found that low back pain patients receiving chiropractic care, which typically includes spinal manipulation, are more satisfied than those receiving medical care."
-New England Journal of Medicine