Last Updated on April 4, 2024

Are you suffering from back pain but aren’t sure what to do about it?

If so, you’re not alone. Back issues are one of the most frequent complaints that doctors hear about. Each year, nearly 65 million Americans report an episode of back pain. Additionally, 8 percent of adults suffer from chronic or persistent back pain.

But, back pain doesn’t need to be a lifelong issue. With the help of a professional, you may be able to ease or fully eliminate your back pain. But, should you see a chiropractor or massage therapist for your back pain?

Read this post to find out!

Table of Contents

What is a Chiropractor?

A chiropractor is a trained medical professional who focuses on diagnosing and treating neuromuscular disorders. Often, chiropractic treatment focuses on manual adjustment or the manipulation of the spine. They focus on treating the bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons that make up the neuromuscular system.

Chiropractors also aim to reduce pain and improve patient functionality. They also work to educate patients. Many chiropractors focus on reducing back and neck pain through the use of spinal adjustment.

What Does a Chiropractor Do?

During your appointment, your chiropractor will begin by conducting a patient examination. They will look at the position of your spine and your muscle reflexes. In some cases, they may perform additional tests or take x-rays to diagnose your condition.

After doing this, they’ll devise a treatment plan and monitor your progress. However, it’s important to note that chiropractors don’t prescribe pain medication. Instead, they rely on the body’s ability to heal itself.

While chiropractors primarily use spinal manipulation to heal the back and body, they may use other treatments, including:

Diet and weight loss consulting
Exercise recommendations
Hot and cold treatment
Relaxation and stimulation

Depending on your circumstances, your chiropractor may also recommend other specialists or work with your family doctor to ensure your healing progresses.

Education and Training for Chiropractors

To become a chiropractor, one must complete a four-year program after earning their undergraduate degree.

After completing a program, one must pass the National Board of Chiropractors Examiners exam and then obtain a license to practice in their state. All states also require continuing education to maintain licensing. During the doctoral program, future chiropractors:

Study anatomy, physiology, and other life sciences
Make assessments under the supervision of licensed chiropractors
Practice making spinal adjustments

What is a Massage Therapist?

Massage therapist giving a back massage
Like chiropractors, massage therapists can also help with back pain. However, their approach, techniques, and training vary.

While a chiropractor focuses on fixing a misaligned spine, a massage therapist mostly focuses on healing the muscles by manipulating the body’s soft tissues. Typically, a massage therapist will use their hands to manipulate the soft tissues and muscles.

However, they may also use their forearms, elbows, knees, or fingers. In some cases, they may use special devices to promote healing, such as hot stones.

What Does a Massage Therapist Do?

Before your massage therapy appointment begins, your therapist will take a few minutes to learn about your health history. During this time, you can let them know how you’re feeling and what you’d like from the massage session.

There are several different massage approaches, and you’ll likely pick what approach you want before your appointment. While Swedish massage is the most common form of massage, there are other options available. Generally speaking, the best types of massage for back pain include:

Swedish massage
Myofascial massage
Reflexology
Deep tissue massage
Craniosacral massage

Education and Training for Massage Therapists

The training period to become a massage therapist is much shorter than the training period to become a chiropractor. While chiropractors need an undergraduate and doctoral degree, massage therapists don’t need either.

Rather, students will need to attend specific training programs to become massage therapists. These training programs typically involve 300 to 1,000 hours of in-classroom and hands-on instruction. Program lengths can vary, but generally, they take anywhere from five months to two years to complete.

Chiropractor vs. Massage Therapist: Similarities and Differences

Perhaps the biggest similarity between chiropractors and massage therapists is that they both offer drug-free solutions to manage pain. Both practitioners work the body to promote healthier alignment. If done correctly, both treatments can yield immediate results.

However, chiropractors can make medical diagnoses and request diagnostic testing, whereas massage therapists can’t. Additionally, chiropractors work to specifically address issues that affect the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Massage therapists tend to focus on specific muscles or the body as a whole.

Should you see a chiropractor for a pinched nerve? Click here to find out!

Chiropractor vs. Massage Therapist: Which is Better for Back Pain?

So, which professional should you see for back pain?

If you’re experiencing sore muscles and would like a way to unwind and relax, seeing a massage therapist may be best. For example, maybe you recently started lifting weights again, and you have a sore back from doing deadlifts. A massage therapist can help ease this soreness through a variety of techniques.

However, if you’re experiencing back pain due to poor posture, a strained ligament, or some other injury, it may be best to see a chiropractor.

A balance between chiropractic care and massage therapy is often the best approach for managing back pain. In many cases, massage therapists and chiropractors work together to provide the best outcome for their patients.

Conclusion

Now that you know that chiropractors and massage therapists can both be beneficial for treating back pain, it’s time to schedule an appointment so you can experience some pain relief.

If you’re looking to schedule an appointment with a chiropractor or massage therapist in the Portland, Oregon area, contact us today!

Katherine V.

March 9, 2023.

While recovering from injuries sustained from a car accident, I have seen a few different acupuncturists as well as a chiropractor and masseuse at Inner Gate, and I have appreciated them all. The care I've received has been stellar - compassionate, personable, considerate, and soothing. Truly, Inner Gate practitioners have greatly helped me in my healing process. Thank you!

Abbie W.

July 26, 2022.

I have been seeing Nick Maxwell for Craniosacral massage for the last several months after a car accident left me with whiplash, nagging low back pain, a mild concussion, and stress and anxiety. He is an incredibly gifted healer that has helped me immensely! I have had a plethora of bodywork over the years, and I can undoubtedly say that his massages are the best. He has also helped with digestive issues/SIBO/nervous system recovery. I would never see anyone else again after finding him. I am much calmer, happier, and healing well thanks in big part to his care.

Elizabeth M.

February 10, 2022.

Well, I will start by saying that Nicholas Maxwell is my favorite massage therapist. I went to him after 1 year of shoulder pain. Before going to him, I was waiting for the pain to just go away; it didn't. He was the first person I sought any help from. I'm sorry to say, I didn't expect that much relief from a massage but after about 3 sessions I felt close to cured of 1 whole year of pain! He recommended a great physical therapist to solve my shoulder stiffness and pain. My pt said that Nick did a great job of loosening up the muscles for a quicker recovery. Nick seemed to wipe out all the surface pain and extraneous tenderness so that my pt could pinpoint my injury which turned out to be shoulder tendonitis. Now I see both of them concurrently. They both gave the same estimate for recovery, which was shorter than I thought it would be. I've had more that 50 massages in my lifetime (CA, NY, NV), Nick is the only massage therapist I have been to that leaves me feeling better for days and days after the actual massage. If I could describe what Nick's massages feel like, it would be like this: If the ocean waves had massaging hands, they would be Nick's. Before going to Nick, I am a chuck steak. After my massage, I am filet mignon. What can I say, Nick Is Awesome!!

Julian J.

November 4, 2021.

My physical therapist suggested acupuncture for my chronic knee injury in July 2021. I'm going to explain my story, but I want to say at the beginning that Emma Ellsworth at Inner Gate Health & Wellness saved me from a life of chronic pain. It's really difficult and frustrating to find good care anywhere these days, so trust me when I tell you that you can end your search now. Just call Inner Gate and ask for Emma. I always find it helpful to read health care reviews from folks who suffer from the same issues as me, so here's a bit about my medical history: My orthopedic physician diagnosed me with IT band syndrome in my right knee in January 2021. I began a course of physical therapy, but not only did the IT band syndrome not get better, I actually developed IT band syndrome in my left leg due to overcompensation. I pushed myself a little too hard and started noticing that even very light exercise would cause my symptoms to flare up (inflammation, pain, swelling, etc.). By May 2021, I could not walk more than 3 blocks at a time without my knees flaring up. Keep in mind that I'm an otherwise healthy person in my mid-30s. I then developed hamstring tendinopathy in both legs, I assume to disuse. Along with preexisting patellofemoral pain syndrome issues, suffice to say that my knees were totally busted, okay. After all that, my physical therapist and orthopedic physician basically threw their hands up and suggested either cortisone shots for the rest of my life, acupuncture, or prescription pain medication that I really shouldn't be taking due to family history of hypertension. In comes Emma. I'm a huge believer in modern Western medicine and everything, but Emma succeeded where two physical therapists, a physiatrist, my orthopedic physician, and my primary care doctor all failed. Emma succeeded not only because she did something they did not - acupuncture - but she succeeded because she was more effective and patient at taking time to find the actual root cause of my issues. She is super methodical about interviewing me at the beginning of every session, evaluating what worked / didn't work from last time, trying out new areas for acupuncture, and over the course of 4 weeks eventually found an acupuncture solution that reduced my pain. I remember when it happened - I had an acupuncture session one Friday in October, and two days later I was going for a walk and ended up walking like 3 times further than I had walked in the past 6 months. I stopped and was like, "Wow my legs don't hurt at all." The pain literally vanished, went from a 5-6/10 on the pain scale all day every day down to 0-1. The massive pain reduction has allowed me to resume my physical therapy exercises with less pain and start rebuilding my knee strength. I still go to acupuncture to deal with some knee meniscus issues and overall wellness / mental health issues. Honestly, I feel such a tremendous sense of wellness after every acupuncture session that I kind of don't ever want to stop going. Anyway, if you made it this far, thanks for reading and hopefully my story is helpful. Seriously, go see the folks at Inner Gate. You won't regret it!!

Mitchell P.

October 19, 2021.

Inner Gate Health & Wellness provides exceptional care! Their staff, specifically Emma Ellsworth, is skillful, compassionate, and effective at providing holistic healing services, including acupuncture. I highly recommend treatment with Inner Gate and Emma Ellsworth for symptoms including depression, anxiety, pelvic floor pain, back pain, and digestion issues.

Ruben S.

April 15, 2021.

This is a long overdue, rave review for Terry. I've been to many acupuncturists over the last decade and she is hands down the most helpful and accommodating. I came in with a very unsolvable problem (tinnitus) and had tried everything before coming to Terry. Terry has helped improve my symptoms with Tinnitus and a number of other issues. She's also extremely patient and takes time out of every session at the beginning to go over progress and how I'm feeling. She has a good understanding of my problems and is always ready with solutions to help. Acupuncture with Terry is one of the highlights of my week -- thank you for being so great!!

Dr. Kaley B.

November 28, 2020.

Very impressed! Great acupuncture, well organized front desk. Liz is fantastic, and I'm not a fan of needles. Finally got some relief from back and neck pain. Looking forward to a few more sessions!

Abbie W.

September 15, 2020.

I highly recommend Oliver Leonetti at Innergate Acupuncture! I have seen him for the last 12 years for various ailments - ranging from nagging sports injuries to digestive issues to insomnia/anxiety, and he always provides the highest level of care that truly lasts. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable and skilled, but he is super kind and caring and always take the time to truly listen. I always feel better after leaving my appointment. I honestly do not know what I would do without Oliver or Innergate Acupuncture! Also, I've seen several of the acupuncturists there, and they are all fantastic as well.

M W.

July 9, 2020.

I can't recommend these guys enough! I have a 10 yr old competitive skier who was having some knee pain & had never had acupuncture done before...not only did these guys gently ease him into the entire process - they also helped him get back on the ski hill after the first couple of treatments I was super impressed with their professionalism & how both Liz and Casey approached his injury - now my little guy looks forward to going to his acupuncture appointments! Yay! Thank you a zillion times over for taking such good care of my little guy.

Abby J.

January 9, 2020.

I used to think acupuncture was sort of hokey. Not total witchcraft, but definitely not the magic, cure-all that people said. Well, folks, a few months in and I can report that I'm a changed woman! Well, really, it only took one session. Terry took my whole health history into consideration and helped with everything. Anxiety, sleeplessness, colds, ankle injuries, back pain--you name it. I've come in with problems and always left improved. I'm sure all the acupuncturists are lovely, but I want to stress how awesome Terry is. She takes my concerns seriously without making me feel like I'm at a stuffy doctors office. She approaches her work with humor and friendliness and is spot on with her treatment. Terry has made me feel comfortable from the get-go and has made my weekly appointments something for me to look forward to. My friends all have heard me rave about her, so I'd say everyone I know should go see her, but then I may never be able to squeeze in my appointments again! Just kidding, of course. Also, big props to the front desk staff too. They have been super kind and helpful when guiding me through insurance issues or unexpected after work traffic. I'd highly recommend Inner Gate SE to anyone with any ailment!

Back Pain: Choosing a Chiropractor vs. Massage Therapist