How Do You Tell If You Need A Chiropractor or Massage?

Back pain, stiff necks, and stress-related tension are everyday problems that affect millions of people. But when your body is aching and feeling “off”, the big question becomes: Which one to choose between a chiropractor and a massage therapist? Both treatments are popular, non-invasive, and drug-free, but they both serve different purposes.

It is important to choose the right one that fits your needs and requirements. Choosing the right one can make all the difference in how quickly you feel better. In this guide, we’ll help you understand when to see a chiropractor, when to choose a massage therapist, and why sometimes combining both treatments is the ideal solution.

First, Understand What a chiropractor is.

Chiropractors are not just “back crackers” or spine poppers, as many people assume. They are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in treating musculoskeletal and nervous system disorders, particularly those involving the spine and joints.

Chiropractic care is based on the concept that proper alignment of the body's musculoskeletal structure, especially the spine, allows the body to heal itself without surgery or medication. Chiropractors use hands-on spinal manipulation and other techniques to adjust joints and improve physical function.

Core services include:

• Spinal adjustments: Realign vertebrae to relieve nerve pressure.
• Joint mobilization: Increase range of motion in stiff or locked joints.
• Postural correction: Treat poor alignment caused by sedentary lifestyles or repetitive movements.
• Lifestyle and ergonomic advice: Improve everyday movements to prevent recurrence.

For example, If you’re sitting at a desk all day and develop a pinching sensation in your neck or between your shoulder blades, it may not be your muscles; it could be that your vertebrae have shifted out of alignment, causing nerve irritation. That’s where a chiropractor comes in.

What Does a Massage Therapist Do?

Massage therapy focuses on the muscles, fascia, and soft tissues of the body. Unlike chiropractic adjustments that target bones and joints, massage aims to relieve muscle tension, promote relaxation, improve circulation, and reduce stress.

Massage therapists use a variety of hands-on techniques that vary in pressure and purpose:

Common types of massage include:

• Swedish massage: Gentle strokes for full-body relaxation.
• Deep tissue massage: Firm pressure to release chronic muscle tension.
• Myofascial release: Targeting connective tissue to improve mobility.
• Trigger point therapy: Applying pressure to specific knots that refer pain elsewhere.
• Sports massage: Prevents injury and enhances athletic performance.

Imagine this: You’ve had a long week of lifting, twisting, or simply dealing with anxiety. Your back and shoulders feel knotted, and you catch yourself constantly tensing your jaw. This isn’t a joint issue; it’s muscular tension, and massage therapy can provide the relief you need.

Chiropractor and Massage Therapist: Key Differences

While both aim to help you feel better, they serve distinct purposes in the healing process.

Feature	Chiropractor	Massage Therapist
Targets	Spine, joints, nerves	Muscles, fascia, soft tissue
Main Tool	Spinal adjustments	Manual pressure and movement
Focus	Alignment, nerve health, and pain relief	Tension release, relaxation, and circulation
Common Conditions	Back pain, herniated disc, pinched nerves, migraines	Muscle tension, stress, stiffness, and athletic recovery
Insurance	Often covered by health insurance	Sometimes covered, often out-of-pocket

 

Think of it this way: if your bones and joints are misaligned, a chiropractor repositions them. If your muscles are tight or inflamed, a massage therapist soothes them.

 

How to Tell If You Need a Chiropractor

Chiropractic care is particularly effective when your discomfort stems from structural or nerve-related issues rather than just muscle tightness. If you're feeling “off”, have sharp or radiating pain, or are struggling with recurring discomfort that doesn’t respond to rest or stretching, it could point to deeper joint or spinal problems. Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating misalignments in the spine and other joints that can lead to nerve interference and chronic pain.

Common signs that indicate you might need a chiropractor include:

• Persistent lower back or neck pain that lingers despite rest, heat/ice therapy, or light stretching. This often points to spinal misalignment or a disc issue.
• Shooting or radiating pain down your legs, arms, or buttocks, which may signal sciatica or nerve compression.
• Tingling or numbness, especially in the fingers, toes, or arms, which could be due to pinched nerves or spinal subluxations.
• Recent trauma or injury, such as a car accident or sports collision, that has left you feeling sore, stiff, or uneven.
• Recurring headaches or migraines, which may actually originate from tension or misalignment in the neck or upper spine.
• Uneven posture, like one shoulder being higher than the other or a noticeable spinal curve, which often causes compensatory pain elsewhere.
• Clicking, popping, or locking joints when you move, suggesting instability or joint dysfunction that needs professional adjustment.

Real-life scenario:
Imagine waking up with a stiff neck after a poor night’s sleep. You ignore it for a few days, but then the pain starts to travel down your arm, and your fingertips feel numb. This isn’t just muscular—it’s likely nerve-related. A chiropractor can assess your spine and determine whether a misaligned vertebra is putting pressure on a nerve root.

In these cases, chiropractic care can help not only relieve the pain but also correct the root cause, preventing further deterioration or dependency on pain medication.

How to Tell If You Need a Massage

Massage therapy is the go-to solution when your pain feels muscular, stress-related, or triggered by overuse or emotional burnout. It’s ideal for treating soft tissue tension, improving circulation, reducing stress hormones, and promoting relaxation throughout the body. Unlike chiropractic care, which focuses on bone and joint alignment, massage works directly on the muscles and fascia—the connective tissues that often become tight from repetitive strain, posture habits, or anxiety.

Signs you might benefit most from a massage:

• Muscles that feel tight, sore, or knotted, especially after working out or sitting for extended periods.
• High stress levels or feelings of anxiety that show up physically (like jaw clenching, shoulder tension, or shallow breathing).
• Sleep disturbances, irritability, or mental fatigue, which can often be alleviated through relaxation-based massage therapy.
• A physically demanding lifestyle, including jobs that require standing, lifting, bending, or repetitive motion.
• Tender areas or “trigger points” that feel like small, tight lumps under the skin—common in the shoulders, neck, and upper back.
• Delayed-onset muscle soreness after workouts, especially when combined with tightness and decreased range of motion.
• Frequent tension headaches caused by stress and upper back tightness.
• Emotional overload, where your nervous system needs support as much as your muscles do.

Real-life scenario: You've been glued to your desk for 10-hour days finishing a work deadline. Your shoulders are sore, your neck feels stiff, and you catch yourself grinding your teeth. A professional massage therapist can target these specific tension areas, helping you relax not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. Massage therapy doesn’t just feel good; it strengthens and improves overall well-being by lowering cortisol, the stress hormone, and releasing endorphins, making it a valuable part of any self-care routine.

 

Can You Do Both? The Power of Combining Treatments

Absolutely. In fact, many people see the best results when they combine both chiropractic care and massage therapy. These two disciplines aren’t competing. They’re complementary. While a chiropractor focuses on aligning your skeletal structure, a massage therapist works on the surrounding soft tissues. Addressing both the framework and the muscles that support it leads to more complete, long-lasting relief.

Key benefits of combining chiropractic care with massage therapy include:

• Chiropractic adjustments: A massage beforehand helps loosen up tight muscles, making it easier for the chiropractor to adjust your spine with less resistance.
• Sustainable results: Chiropractic care aligns your joints, but if the surrounding muscles are still tight, they can pull your joints back out of place. Massage helps prevent this.
• Faster injury recovery: Whether you’re healing from whiplash, a sports injury, or repetitive strain, using both therapies supports healing by reducing inflammation, increasing mobility, and boosting circulation.
• Whole-body wellness: Together, these treatments support better posture, improved nervous system function, and reduced stress, promoting long-term physical and emotional health.

Care example: A patient suffering from sciatica or pain along the sciatic nerve might receive chiropractic adjustments to relieve pressure on the nerve and restore spinal alignment. At the same time, massage therapy can be used to relax tight gluteal muscles and the piriformis, which can also compress the sciatic nerve. This dual approach tackles the issue from multiple angles, accelerating recovery and preventing flare-ups. If your symptoms include both joint discomfort and muscle tightness, or if you’re simply seeking a balanced approach to pain relief, alternating or combining treatments can be a smart and effective solution.

 

Still Unsure? Ask Yourself These Questions

If you’re still torn between booking a massage or a chiropractic visit, try answering the following:

Where is your pain located? Deep in your spine, hips, or joints? → Chiropractor Focused on your muscles or soft tissues? → Massage How would you describe your pain? Sharp, shooting, radiating, or involving numbness? → Chiropractor Dull, achy, sore, or tight? → Massage Did your pain start after an accident, fall, or awkward movement? Go see a chiropractor, especially if symptoms linger. Are you feeling emotionally exhausted, anxious, or mentally burned out? A massage can help restore calm and regulate your nervous system. Have you already tried stretching, rest, or medication with no relief? It’s time to seek a professional, start with the option that best matches your symptoms, or consider a combined approach.

You don’t have to live with chronic discomfort. Whether you’re looking for relief, recovery, or simply relaxation, the right treatment is available. Let The Chicago Body Works guide you. Our experienced team offers both chiropractic care and massage therapy under one roof, so you get the right treatment, right away. Located in the heart of Chicago, we’re here to help you relieve pain, reduce stress, and restore balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I go to a massage therapist before seeing a chiropractor?

Yes, getting a massage before a chiropractic session can relax your muscles, making spinal adjustments easier and often more effective. Many clinics recommend this combination.

2. How do I know if my pain is muscle-related or from my spine?

Muscle pain often feels sore, achy, or tight and improves with rest. Pain from spinal misalignment may feel sharp, radiate, or include numbness or tingling.

3. Are chiropractic adjustments painful?

No, most chiropractic adjustments are not painful. Some patients feel immediate relief, while others may experience mild soreness similar to post-exercise fatigue.

4. Is it safe to combine massage and chiropractic care in one day?

Yes, many people benefit from combining both treatments on the same day. Always consult your provider to create a customized plan that suits your condition.

5. How often should I get a massage or chiropractic treatment?

Frequency depends on your symptoms and goals. Acute issues may need weekly care, while maintenance or stress relief treatments can be scheduled monthly.