Often, massages take us away from the stress and chaos of our daily lives. However, many of us do not realize that massages can be beneficial to pain relief.
While Dr. Denise Jones, DC, is best known for giving patients adjustments that improve the mobility of muscles and surrounding joints, she also sees the significance of working with massage therapist Brian Castor.
At this chiropractic care office, you can receive more than an adjustment; you also have the opportunity to relieve pain with a massage.
“They get the adjustment to get aligned, then with me, we work the muscles to get them relaxed and not pulled,” Castor said. “It’s a full benefit for everything rather than just seeing one over the other.”
They complement each other’s work and both have a passion for helping their patients.
Castor works by feeling with his hands and in many cases, he closes his eyes during the session. He learned this tactic his alma mater, The Institute of Psycho-Structural Balancing, a school of holistic body therapy.
Although he never thought of becoming a massage therapist and decided on it in the spur of the moment, it naturally came to him and he fell in love with it ever since.
Now, he’s helped people overcome muscle aches for about 20 years and since 2003, he has worked alongside Jones in making the Long Beach community pain-free.
However, many times he sees patients who are uncomfortable with an alignment or just want the advantages of a massage.
“I have to figure out a way to work with them,” he said. “Sometimes, they do need an adjustment, but a lot of them are afraid of that.” He finds the muscles that need to be pulled in and works with them on that.
The most common muscles aches are the back, lower back, and shoulders because we are always driving, at a computer screen, or in a forward stance.
Castor also provides simple stretches and instructions like applying heat or ice on the muscle ache to minimize pain relief.
“If you are sitting at a computer for hours, set a timer and get up and stretch,” he said. “That little break is helping you physically and helping your work too.”
Most massages are typically about 53 minutes and he prefers to do a full body massage to determine what is causing the pain rather than focusing on one spot.
“Just because something is hurting in one spot doesn’t mean that is where it is happening,” he said. “There are a lot of things that can be happening to the body that are affecting another body part.”
No matter your level of pain or discomfort, Castor and Jones are the perfect combination to tend to any needs. Those interested in massage care from Castor or receiving an adjustment from Jones can call (562) 588-7500. Whether you decide to see one or both to get all-around care, you will leave the chiropractic office feeling great!