My Experiences with Chiropractic, Massage, and Refloxology/Chinese Foot Massage

Do you have a persistent ache or pain that won't go away but you are reluctant to go to the doctor? Or maybe you are suffering from a malady that traditional medicine doesn't seem to help? If so, you may want to try an alternative form of treatment.

According to Wikipedia, alternative medicine in Western Culture refers to any healing practice "that does not fall within the realm of conventional medicine", or "that which has not been shown consistently to be effective." In other words, instead of being based on scientifically tested theories common in modern medicine, alternative medicine encompasses practices and therapies that are usually based on historical or cultural experience. This is not to say that these therapies are ineffective, as more and more people are using alternative treatments as a complement to conventional medicine. According to the National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, a 2002 survey found that 74.6% of US adults aged 18 or older have tried some form of alternative medicine.

So does it really work? I can only speak from personal experience and say that forms of alternative medicine categorized as manipulative therapy have worked for me. Manipulative therapy is based upon moving certain muscles or body parts around to achieve certain benefits. I have tried three types of manipulative therapy: chiropractic, massage, and reflexology. In addition to listing my own experiences, I've included some background on each treatment and why I decided to try it. Hopefully, my experiences will encourage you to do additional research before deciding to undergo alternative medical procedures.

Chiropractic

I started going to a chiropractor in 2008 when I tweaked my knee and hips during a mountain hike. For weeks after the hike, I experienced soreness, stiffness, and pain when I sat down or moved. X-rays from my doctor revealed no tears or fractures, and I was sent home with Ibuprofen. However, I was already on pain medication for migraines, and the idea of adding more drugs to my system did not sit well with me. I tried to fix the problem with stretching and exercise, but that just seemed to make the problem worse. Finally in my frustration I turned to chiropractic care.

Chiropractic is probably one of the most widely known and accepted uses of alternative medicine, and some will even argue that it is now mainstream medicine. According to the American Chiropractic Association (ACA), the majority of insurance companies will even cover chiropractic visits in their insurance packages. There are some common misconceptions that chiropractic medicine involves nothing but back cracking, and indeed the majority of chiropractic visits are probably brought on by back pain.

However, chiropractic treats more than just back pain. The ACA website (www.acatoday.org) states that chiropractors focus on "disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system, and the effects of these disorders on general health. Chiropractic care is used most often to treat neuromusculoskeletal complaints, including but not limited to back pain, neck pain, pain in the joints of the arms or legs, and headaches."

Basically, there is the belief that the nerves from the spine that are connected to a particular area of the body affect a person's overall health. My chiropractor's office displays a Spinal Nerve Chart (published by a Dr. R.L. Hartman) that lists the areas of the body each spinal nerve connects to, and the possible illnesses that are associated with possible misalignment of that spinal nerve.

The most common way to fix misalignment is through "spinal manipulation" or "chiropractic adjustment". This is the joint cracking part that intimidates most people. The reason chiropractors do this, the ACA says, is because "Manipulation, or adjustment of the affected joint and tissues, restores mobility, thereby alleviating pain and muscle tightness, and allowing tissues to heal."

Now as painful as this sounds, it is actually not bad if done correctly by an experienced and well-trained chiropractor. Chiropractors can also manipulate joints other than the spine, so I figured I had nothing to lose by seeking treatment for my knees and hips. One month after starting treatment, my knee began to feel better and no longer hurt when I bent it or walked. I also noticed a marked increase in mobility with my hips - by literally pulling on my legs to manipulate my hipbones, the chiropractor was able to alleviate the painful stiffness I had while standing and sitting. Within two weeks, I became a believer. Chiropractic had accomplished something that traditional medicine could not, and without drugs. As a bonus, my posture was better and I was walking straighter.

My chiropractor also turned out to be a huge resource for me in recommending ways to maintain my health between visits. He noticed that one of my legs is slightly shorter than the other, so he recommended inserts for my shoes so that I walk with better balance. Before I became his patient, I was looking for a multivitamin that didn't contain shellfish because I am allergic to most seafood. He recommended a health food store that sold vegetarian vitamin supplements, and I was able to find what I was looking for.

Because of my experiences, I highly recommend chiropractic care as an alternative treatment for pain management. Now, when one of my joints is "out of whack" for more than a couple of days, I will make an appointment to get adjusted. For me, it has been a safe, drug-free alternative with huge benefits.

Massage

I have yet to meet a person who doesn't like receiving a massage. Just the word "massage" makes one think of relaxation, spa treatments, and pampering. However, massage is a form of manipulative therapy that can also have numerous health benefits. I have been a member of Massage Envy for the past year, a company that offers monthly massage services similar to a health club. According to their website, www.massageenvy.com, receiving regular massages can offer health benefits ranging from stress relief to lowering blood pressure.

The most common type of massage is Swedish massage, where muscles are rubbed in the direction of blood returning to the heart. It is said to improve circulation, decrease toxins, and ease muscle pain. From experience, I can tell you that this is true. I spend long hours sitting at a desk and have a really stiff neck and shoulders. After every massage, I can feel the tension leaving these areas. If I sleep wrong or have a knot in one of my muscles, massage always takes out the pain without the use of drugs or painkillers.

Aches and pains aside, the real reason I started getting a monthly massage rather than an occasional splurge was because I read somewhere that massage is a great treatment for depression. In addition to tweaking my knee in 2008, I was suffering from an inordinate amount of stress in both my professional and personal life, and I could feel the familiar symptoms of depression seeping into my body. (Yes, I know, 2008 was a banner year for me, but it all worked out.) I have battled depression on and off since I was teenager, but I never liked the way anti-depressants made me feel like a complete zombie. When I read about the positive effects massage could have on depression, I decided to try it. I was so desperate for relief that I scheduled three massage sessions in a four-week period. Somehow, whether it was the enjoyment I normally get from massages, or just the power of healing human touch, I felt better and was able to function normally in life. Not to say that it cured my depression - I still had to go to therapy for that. But taking the time to "love myself" in this way gave me the strength I needed to move on.

There has not been much study done on the effects massage has on depression, but according to Healthy Place: America's Mental Health Channel, massage has been shown to decrease depression symptoms in children, adolescents, mothers, and the elderly. I'm not in any of those groups, but massage definitely helped me cope with my episode last year.

If you have never had a massage, I definitely encourage you to try one. Just be sure you are getting a massage from a licensed therapist in a reputable establishment. License massage therapists should be able to explain the whole procedure to you, respect your modesty, and adjust pressure to your comfort level. If you have a medical condition, be sure to inform them ahead of time so that they can adapt your session to your specific needs. Then all you have to do is relax, close your eyes, and enjoy.

Reflexology/Chinese Foot Massage

The last type of manipulative therapy I've tried is a Chinese foot massage, which is a type of reflexology or acupressure on the foot. According to Wikipedia, reflexology involves "the practice of massaging or applying pressure to parts of the feet, or sometimes the hands and ears, with the goal of encouraging a beneficial effect on other parts of the body, or to improve general health."

Similar to chiropractic, reflexology base their practice on the belief that different areas of your feet relate to specific parts of your body such as the heart, lungs, etc. "Through application of pressure on these reflexes... reflexology relieves tension, improves circulation and helps promote the natural function of the related areas of the body," as defined by the Reflexology Association of Canada.

Because of my Asian heritage, I knew that reflexology is popular in China, where the practice is said to have originated. In fact, China Business Weekly ran a story in 2005 about Chinese businessmen forgoing power lunches for power foot massages. However, I had never tried it before because my American upbringing gave me a healthy sense of skepticism as to its claims of healing. But when a friend recommended a local Chinese foot massage establishment where she really enjoyed the experience, I figured I had nothing to lost by trying it. After all, the price was incredibly affordable and I knew I would enjoy the massage.

The establishment I visited was heavily decorated to reflect the Chinese culture, and all the masseurs there were Chinese who spoke very little English. If nothing else, I felt like I was visiting their homeland without having to step on a plane. My feet were first soaked in an hot herbal bath which I learned not only clean the feet, but supposedly get rid of toxins and provide healing benefits through heat. The whole session was conducted with my cloths on, and various pressure points in my feet were massaged and tapped on. The masseur also massaged my back, head, and arms, which was a complete bonus service for an establishment that catered to feet. The session ends with the masseur giving you a cup of hot water to drink.

Now as weird as that sounds, drinking hot water is actually a common practice in Asia. My family and I drink hot water after every meal because we believe it calms the stomach. From personal experience, I can tell you that it works wonders to alleviate discomfort from gas pains and constipation. The Chinese believe that drinking hot water detoxifies the body better than cold water. In fact, the establishment displayed a popular article that was published on a website called Breaking News. The article explains that drinking cold water solidifies the oil in food, which creates a sludge that lines the intestines and slows digestion. The belief is that this sludge will eventually turn cancerous. Chinese also believe that drinking hot water helps to prevent heart attacks.

Overall, I will say that having a Chinese foot massage was an enjoyable experience, and I have gone back several times since my first visit. It can be a less expensive treatment than traditional massage, and I felt rejuvenated and relaxed after each session. As far as the medicinal benefits claimed by this practice, I have not noticed any changes in my overall health. However, like any massage I will agree that it helps to improve circulation and relieve stress.

Final Thoughts

Having tried these forms of alternative medicine, I would encourage anyone to try these procedures after doing your own research on the subject. I also recommend using these treatments to complement or enhance conventional medicine, as I do not believe they are an adequate replacement for proper medical care under a doctor. If you are truly hesitant about trying one of these procedures, consult your doctor before doing so.

Using alternative medicine does cost money, and may or may not be covered by insurance. Always check with your insurance company before scheduling an appointment for one of the services listed above. On the other hand, I find that the flexibility of using alternative medicine can counteract the cost. Sometimes my primary care physician is so busy that I have to wait up to three weeks to see her. But I am usually able to see my chiropractor or massage therapist within 24 - 48 hours. As I usually don't like waiting to alleviate pain, I enjoy the ability to manage this aspect of my health.

One last note: I talked about the procedures that work for me, but every person reacts to these treatments differently. Find what works for you. Do the research and get recommendations from friends and family if they have tried any forms of alternative medicine. And if you decide to try it, I hope it works as great for you as it does for me.

Sources

Wikipedia, Alternative Medicine, www.Wikipedia.org

Dr. R.L. Hartman, Spinal Nerve Chart, Dobrich Chiropractic & Wellness Center, www.dobrichchiropractic.com

The American Chiropractic Association, What is Chiropractic? , www.acatoday.org

Massage Envy, Benefits of Massage Therapy, www.massageenvy.com

Harry Croft, M.D., Massage Therapy for Depression, www.healthyplace.com

Wikipedia, Reflexology, www.Wikipedia.org

Lie Jie. Happy Feet makes for good business

Hannibal, Drink Hot Water with your Meal to Prevent Heart Attacks, Breaking News, www.news.co.tt