When it comes to managing chronic pain, especially with conditions like degenerative disc disease (DDD), degenerative joint disease (DJD), spinal stenosis, and even scoliosis, many patients wonder whether they should seek out a chiropractor, a massage therapist, or an acupuncturist. As someone who has been trained as a massage therapist, taken numerous classes with chiropractors, and now practices acupuncture using Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM), I have a unique perspective on this topic. I believe that each of these therapies has its own strengths, and understanding when to use each can help manage chronic pain more effectively.
The body is an amazing machine, and the brain plays a crucial role in how we perceive and respond to pain. When conditions like DDD, DJD, or scoliosis are present, the brain recognizes the structural changes—such as the narrowing of the spine, degeneration of discs and facets, or the curvature associated with scoliosis—and triggers a protective response. One of these responses is muscle tightening around the affected area, which is the body’s way of preventing further injury.
Chiropractic care can be incredibly beneficial in these cases by helping to align the spine and alleviate some of the pressure on these sensitive areas. Massage therapy feels wonderful, helping to relax those tight muscles, but the underlying issue often remains unresolved if the problem originates in the spine or joints. This is where FSM and acupuncture come into play. FSM specifically addresses the inflammation within the spine, allowing the muscles to relax more effectively and potentially reducing the pain over time.
In cases like scoliosis, we can also target the rotatores muscles—small but crucial muscles that stabilize and assist in the rotation of the spine. When these muscles become tense or overworked due to spinal curvature, they can contribute to discomfort and pain. By helping the rotatores muscles relax, FSM can play a significant role in alleviating the symptoms of scoliosis. While massage and chiropractic care can offer relief, combining these with FSM can provide a more comprehensive approach to managing chronic pain.
At Valley Acupuncture & Wellness, we take a personalized approach to each patient’s care, starting with a thorough consultation before any treatments begin. This allows us to fully understand your unique situation and determine the most effective course of action. In some cases, after assessing your condition, I might recommend chiropractic care or massage therapy over our services if I believe those therapies will be more beneficial for you at that time. Our goal is always to provide the best possible outcome for our patients, whether that means treating you directly or guiding you to another therapy that might better address your needs.
For instance, dry needling can be helpful in relieving trigger points and tight muscles, especially after surgery. However, I’ve seen numerous cases where patients continue to experience chronic pain despite regular dry needling sessions with a physical therapist or chiropractor. Often, the underlying issue in these situations is scarring near the surgical site that’s affecting the nerves. In such cases, FSM can be particularly effective. We use it to dissolve the scarring, addressing the root cause of the pain and often eliminating the need for biweekly dry needling sessions.
It’s important to remember that each of these therapies works best in conjunction with the others. Physical therapy and dry needling can also be valuable, particularly for improving mobility and addressing musculoskeletal imbalances. The goal is not to choose one therapy over another but to use the right combination of treatments to manage chronic conditions and improve overall quality of life.
So, when should you see a chiropractor, a massage therapist, or come to us for acupuncture and FSM? It really depends on your specific condition and needs. For spine-related issues, seeing a chiropractor for alignment and a massage therapist for muscle relaxation can be incredibly helpful. However, if chronic pain and inflammation are ongoing—especially in cases of scoliosis, degenerative conditions like degenerative disc or joint (DDD, DJD), or stenosis adding acupuncture and FSM to your treatment plan can offer a more holistic and long-term solution.
At Valley Acupuncture & Wellness, we are committed to helping you find the best approach to manage your pain and improve your quality of life. By combining the best of what each therapy has to offer, we can create a treatment plan tailored specifically to you. Your body is incredibly resilient, and with the right care, we can help you manage pain and keep you moving forward toward a healthier, pain-free life.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule a consultation with us today to explore how we can help you on your journey to better health and pain management.