A Whole-Body Approach to Massage Therapy and Chiropractic Care in Springfield, MO
There are times when an adjustment is exactly what your body needs, and times when you can tell your muscles need a little more attention, too. Maybe your hips are moving better, but your glutes still feel incredibly tight. Your neck has been adjusted, but months of nursing, desk work, or carrying a toddler have left your shoulders feeling uneven. Or maybe you feel like your entire body has been holding onto stress and could use some help letting it go.
This is where massage therapy can add a completely different layer to the care you’re already receiving. Chiropractic care and massage therapy address different parts of the body, so they can complement each other in ways that make sense in real life. We can support joint movement and nervous system function through chiropractic care, while massage and bodywork focus more on the muscles, fascia, and tension in those areas.
We now offer prenatal massage, craniosacral therapy, myofascial unwinding, newborn and youth bodywork, trigger point therapy, deep tissue massage, and energy work in our office. You can come to one familiar place, work with providers who understand how the different pieces of your care fit together, and choose the support your body needs in this particular season.
We are so proud to have more ways to support women, babies, children, and families through the various experiences their bodies undergo.
Massage Therapy and Chiropractic Care: The Ultimate Nervous System Self-Care
Your muscles, joints, fascia, spine, and nervous system don’t operate in isolation… they operate as one. Which means when one of your systems is off, the other one is too.
Think about a tight neck, for example. You may feel the discomfort primarily in your muscles, but there could also be restricted movement through the neck or upper back that contributes to the tension. On the other hand, we may improve movement through chiropractic care, but if you’ve spent months holding tension through those muscles, the soft tissues may need some attention as well.
This is exactly why chiropractic care and massage therapy work together so well!
Chiropractic adjustments improve joint movement and address areas of restriction while supporting healthy nervous system function. Massage therapy works with the muscles and soft tissues to reduce tension, improve mobility, and help the body relax. Addressing both can be especially helpful when your body has developed patterns over time from work, stress, pregnancy, carrying children, exercise, an injury, or simply everyday life.
Not everyone who gets adjusted needs a massage, and not everyone coming in for massage therapy needs chiropractic care on the same day. Sometimes your body needs one. Sometimes combining the two makes sense. The benefit of having both available in our Springfield, MO wellness clinic is that they are both available to you.
Benefits of Massage Therapy
Our Licensed Massage Therapist specializes in massage and bodywork techniques for women and children, including craniosacral therapy, myofascial unwinding, prenatal massage, newborn and youth bodywork, trigger-point therapy, deep-tissue massage, and energy work.
Each technique serves a different purpose, allowing care to be adapted to the person on the table rather than expecting everyone to respond to the same type of massage.
Someone experiencing chronic muscle tension may benefit from trigger point therapy or deep tissue work. During pregnancy, a different approach is needed to help moms stay comfortable as her posture and body change. A newborn carrying tension after birth requires exceptionally gentle bodywork. Someone who feels like their entire body has been holding onto stress may benefit from slower techniques focused on relaxation and nervous system regulation.
What Is Craniosacral Therapy?
Craniosacral therapy is an extremely gentle form of bodywork that focuses on releasing tension throughout the body, particularly around the head, spine, and sacrum. Rather than using deep pressure or manipulating the body, the therapist uses very light touch. This approach is very gentle, which means it can be used with adults as well as babies and children.
For adults, craniosacral work may be helpful when the goal is to reduce tension and encourage the body to move into a more relaxed state. It’s great for bodywork without deep pressure.
For babies and children, gentle bodywork gives us another way to address tension without asking their bodies to tolerate techniques designed for adults. Babies can carry tension from pregnancy, positioning in the womb, and the birth process, and that tension may show up in the way they turn their head, move their body, latch, feed, or settle.
Craniosacral therapy and pediatric chiropractic care complement one another because both are incredibly gentle and address different aspects of the tension we’re seeing.
What Is Myofascial Unwinding?
Fascia is connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles, bones, nerves, and other structures throughout the body. When fascia becomes restricted due to repetitive movement, injury, posture, pregnancy, stress, or other physical demands, it can contribute to tightness or restricted movement.
Myofascial unwinding is a bodywork technique that follows the body’s natural movements and areas of restriction rather than forcing a muscle or joint into a particular position. The goal is to allow tension within the fascial system to gradually release.
This treatment is ideal for someone who keeps experiencing the same tightness despite stretching or when tension doesn’t seem limited to one specific muscle. Sometimes the area that hurts isn’t the only tissue involved, and looking at how tension travels through the body can give us a much better picture of what needs support.
Supporting the Nervous System Through Chiropractic and Massage
The nervous system plays such a large role in how you feel and function every day.
Stress isn’t only something you experience mentally but also physically. Your shoulders creep toward your ears, your jaw tightens, your muscles tense, and sleeping well becomes more difficult. And when you finally have a moment to relax, it’s like your body and mind have completely forgotten how.
Chiropractic care and massage therapy give us two different ways to support a body that’s been carrying a lot. Chiropractic care supports healthy movement and nervous system function, while massage and bodywork can help release the physical tension that often accompanies stress.
Our goal is to give your body better tools and support for handling the life you’re already living.
Why We Brought Massage Therapy to Bloom Well Family Wellness
Our goal in expanding the services available has never been to give you a longer list of things you “should” be doing for your health. We want to make taking care of yourself easier.
Your care can look different depending on what season you’re in. Regular chiropractic adjustments might be paired with massage when your shoulders are especially tight, while pregnancy may call for a combination of prenatal chiropractic care and prenatal massage. Your baby may benefit from gentle bodywork alongside pediatric chiropractic care, or you may simply need an hour to release tension, slow down, and relax.
We’ve made it easier to care for your body, support your nervous system, and find the combination of wellness care that fits your season of life, all in one place.
If you’re already receiving chiropractic care with us and are curious about adding massage therapy or bodywork, ask us at your next visit or book an appointment online. We’d be happy to help you decide where to start!
FAQ’s
Can pregnant women get massages?
Yes! Prenatal massage is specifically adapted to safely and comfortably support your changing body throughout pregnancy. As your belly grows, your posture and center of gravity shift, creating tension in your lower back, hips, glutes, shoulders, and legs. Prenatal massage relieves that muscle tension, promotes relaxation, and gives your body some much-needed support as it does the very hard work of growing a baby.
What are the benefits of massage therapy during pregnancy?
Pregnancy puts a lot of strain on your muscles and joints, especially as your body changes later in pregnancy. Prenatal massage can help with common complaints such as low back tension, sore hips, tight glutes, neck and shoulder tension, and general muscle soreness. It can also give your nervous system an opportunity to slow down and relax, which can feel pretty wonderful when your body is working around the clock making fingers and toes.
Can I get a massage after having a baby?
Postpartum massages are a great way to support your body as it adjusts after pregnancy and delivery. Feeding, rocking, carrying a baby, constantly looking down, and sleeping in some very questionable positions can leave your neck, shoulders, back, hips, and arms feeling it.
Postpartum massage therapy can focus on those areas of tension while also giving you intentional time to rest and relax.
What are the benefits of newborn massage?
Birth can be physically demanding for babies, too. Newborns carry tension through their neck, jaw, shoulders, back, and other areas of the body after pregnancy and delivery. Gentle newborn bodywork may help release some of that tension and support more comfortable movement and relaxation.
Our newborn bodywork is designed specifically for little bodies and may incorporate gentle techniques such as craniosacral therapy and myofascial work.
Can children get massage therapy?
Yes. Massage and bodywork aren’t only for adults. Our Licensed Massage Therapist specializes in working with women and children and offers age-appropriate newborn and youth bodywork.
Children put their bodies through a lot between growing, sports, school, technology, falls, and everyday play. Bodywork can be adapted to their age and needs to address muscle tension, support mobility, and help their bodies relax.
What is craniosacral therapy?
Craniosacral therapy is a very gentle form of bodywork that uses light touch, particularly around the head, spine, and sacrum. Instead of deep pressure, the therapist works gently with the body to help release areas of tension and encourage relaxation. Craniosacral therapy is extremely gentle and can be used with adults, babies, and children. It may also be combined with other forms of massage therapy or bodywork depending on what your body needs.
What is myofascial therapy or myofascial unwinding?
Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds and supports muscles and other structures throughout your body. When areas of fascia become restricted, you may notice tightness, discomfort, or changes in the way your body moves. Myofascial unwinding is a gentle technique that works with these areas of restriction rather than forcing the body into a particular position. It’s one of several techniques our massage therapist may use depending on where you’re experiencing tension and what type of bodywork feels appropriate for you.
What types of massage therapy does Bloom Well Family Wellness offer?
Our Licensed Massage Therapist specializes in massage and bodywork for women and children. Depending on your needs, your session may include craniosacral therapy, myofascial unwinding, prenatal massage, newborn and youth bodywork, trigger-point therapy, deep-tissue massage, or energy work.
Should I get a massage before or after my chiropractic adjustment?
Either can be beneficial, and the best order depends on your body and the reason you’re receiving care. Massage before an adjustment can help relax tight muscles and soft tissues, while massage after chiropractic care can provide additional support for areas that have been carrying tension.
If you’re receiving both massage therapy and chiropractic care at Bloom Well, we can help you decide how to schedule your appointments based on your current experience and your care goals.
Do I need to be a chiropractic patient to schedule massage therapy?
No. You can schedule massage therapy at Bloom Well Family Wellness even if you aren’t currently receiving chiropractic care. If you’re interested in combining the two, we’re also happy to talk through how massage and chiropractic care may complement each other based on your needs.
Is massage therapy included in my Bloom Well chiropractic membership?
Members receive 10% discounts on massage therapy, just like any other add-on service offered at Bloom Well!
Where can I find massage therapy in Springfield, MO?
Bloom Well Family Wellness offers massage therapy in Springfield, MO alongside chiropractic care, acupuncture, and other wellness services. Having multiple types of care available in the same office makes it a little easier to take care of yourself and your family.
Whether you’re looking for prenatal massage, craniosacral therapy, myofascial work, newborn or youth bodywork, deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, or simply an opportunity to help your body relax, we’d love to help you find the right place to start.
