Massage Therapy

Therapeutic Massage for Pain Relief, Mobility & Active Recovery

Can massage therapy help with neck pain, back discomfort, and tight muscles? For many people, it can. Therapeutic massage can help ease muscle tension, reduce certain types of soreness, and make everyday movement more comfortable.

If you’ve ever found yourself asking questions like these, you’re in the right place:

• Can massage therapy help relieve neck and shoulder pain?
• What helps loosen tight muscles after a long day at work?
• Can massage help with lower back discomfort and muscle soreness?
• Can massage therapy help with recovery after exercise?
• Is it beneficial to combine massage therapy with chiropractic care?
• What massage therapy options are available in Spokane?

At Spinal & Sports Care Clinic, we offer massage therapy tailored to your needs, whether you’re looking to ease muscle tension, recover from physical activity, or simply feel more comfortable in your day-to-day life.

Our services include therapeutic, deep tissue, Swedish, sports, and pregnancy massage, as well as intraoral massage and craniosacral therapy. We also provide therapeutic enhancements such as cupping, hot stone, and cold stone. When appropriate, massage therapy can also complement chiropractic care as part of an individualized approach to musculoskeletal health.

Explore our services below to learn which options may be right for you.

Our Massage Therapy Services

Every person has different needs, preferences, and goals. Our massage therapists can tailor their techniques and pressure to the areas being addressed, your comfort level, and your treatment goals.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage focuses on deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue using slower strokes and more targeted pressure. It may be appropriate for persistent muscle tightness, areas of muscular tenderness, and tension associated with repetitive activity or physical demands.

Deep tissue massage isn’t necessarily better than lighter pressure. Your therapist can adjust the approach based on your needs, preferences, and whether deeper work is appropriate for your condition.

Swedish Massage

Swedish massage uses flowing strokes, kneading, and other hands-on techniques to address superficial muscle tension and promote relaxation. It can be a good option if you want to unwind, ease everyday tightness, or experience massage with a lighter or moderate pressure.

Sports Massage

Sports massage focuses on the soft tissues used during physical activity. It may incorporate targeted massage techniques to address muscle tightness, post-exercise soreness, and movement restrictions associated with training and sports.

Whether you’re a competitive athlete, a weekend hiker, a gym regular, or simply someone who likes to stay active, sports-oriented massage can be part of a recovery routine that supports comfortable movement and continued participation in the activities you enjoy.

Pregnancy Massage

Pregnancy can place additional physical demands on the back, hips, and other areas of the body. Pregnancy massage uses an appropriately modified approach to help address muscle tension and promote comfort during pregnancy.

Let us know that you’re pregnant when scheduling so we can discuss suitability, positioning, and any necessary precautions. Your individual health circumstances may require guidance from your prenatal healthcare provider.

Massage Enhancements: Cupping, Hot Stone & Cold Stone

Looking for an additional option to complement your massage? Ask about our available massage enhancements.

• Cupping: Specialized cups create gentle suction on the skin, lifting the tissue rather than applying direct pressure. Cupping may help reduce the feeling of muscle tightness, improve short-term comfort, and complement traditional massage techniques. Temporary circular marks, skin discoloration, or bruising can occur.
• Hot Stone: Smooth, heated stones are incorporated into the massage to provide soothing warmth. Heat may help relax tight muscles, ease feelings of stiffness, and promote relaxation. The warmth can also make massage pressure feel more comfortable for some people.
• Cold Stone: Cooled stones are incorporated into the session to provide a refreshing cooling sensation. Cold applications may temporarily soothe areas that feel warm or irritated and help reduce the sensation of discomfort following physical activity. Cold therapy may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly those with certain circulation or sensation issues.
• Contrast Therapy: Combines hot and cold applications within the same session, alternating between warming and cooling sensations. This approach may help ease feelings of muscle soreness, provide temporary relief from discomfort, and offer a refreshing recovery experience after physical activity. The changing temperatures create a unique experience that combines the relaxing feel of warmth with the invigorating sensation of cold.

These enhancements are subject to availability and suitability. They may involve additional fees and are not automatically included in a standard massage session or covered by insurance. Please ask our team about current options and pricing when scheduling.

Advanced Massage Therapy

In addition, Spinal and Sports Care Clinic offers specialty care that most clinics don’t offer: intraoral massage for and craniosacral therapy, provided by therapists with advanced training. Because we work alongside our chiropractors, these services can be part of a coordinated plan for jaw, head, and neck concerns.

Intraoral Massage

Intraoral massage is a specialized technique in which a trained therapist uses gloved hands to work on the jaw muscles from inside the mouth, along with the muscles of the face and neck. Many jaw muscles can’t be fully reached from the outside, which is why this approach can add something that standard massage can’t.

Craniosacral Therapy

Craniosacral therapy is a gentle, light-touch technique focused on the head, neck, and spine. It uses minimal pressure, so it may appeal to people who want a calmer, lighter form of bodywork than deep tissue or sports massage. Many patients choose it for relaxation and relief from feelings of tension.

What Can Massage Therapy Help With?

Muscle tension and soreness can affect everything from your workouts to your sleep, workday, and ability to enjoy your favorite activities. Therapeutic massage works with the body’s soft tissues to help reduce tension, improve comfort, and support movement.

Depending on your individual needs and whether massage is appropriate for your condition, treatment may help with:

• Neck and shoulder tension: Muscle tightness associated with prolonged sitting, repetitive movements, physical work, or exercise.
• Back discomfort: Muscular tension and soreness affecting the upper or lower back.
• Muscle soreness and overuse: Discomfort following workouts, sports, or physically demanding activities.
• Limited flexibility and mobility: Soft tissue tightness that makes certain movements uncomfortable or restricted.
• Hip and leg muscle tension: Tightness associated with activity, prolonged sitting, or repetitive movement.
• Stress-related muscle tension: Physical tightness that can accompany everyday stress and difficulty relaxing.
• Recovery from physical activity: Support for managing muscle soreness and maintaining comfortable movement between workouts or athletic activities.

Massage therapy may help manage symptoms associated with some musculoskeletal conditions, but it does not diagnose or cure every underlying cause of pain. Persistent, severe, unexplained, or worsening symptoms may require evaluation by an appropriate healthcare professional.

Why Pair Massage Therapy With Chiropractic Care?

Muscles and joints work together to support movement. When you’re dealing with discomfort, addressing only one aspect of the problem may not fully address your needs.

Massage therapy and chiropractic care can complement one another by addressing different components of musculoskeletal health.

Massage therapy focuses on soft tissues, including muscles and connective tissue. Chiropractic care may involve the assessment and treatment of spinal and other musculoskeletal concerns using appropriate techniques.

When clinically appropriate, combining these services may offer several benefits:

• Address muscle tension and joint-related concerns: Massage focuses on soft tissue discomfort, while chiropractic care can address relevant joint and movement concerns.
• Support comfortable movement: Reducing muscle tightness and addressing mobility limitations may help make everyday activities and exercise more comfortable.
• Complement an individualized care plan: Your provider can help determine whether massage, chiropractic care, exercise, or a combination of approaches is appropriate for your needs.
• Support an active lifestyle: A coordinated approach may help you manage recurring muscular discomfort while working toward your activity and mobility goals.

Not everyone needs both treatments, and combining them does not guarantee better results. The appropriate approach depends on your symptoms, examination findings, preferences, and overall health.

At Spinal & Sports Care Clinic, our goal is to help you understand your options and choose care that fits your needs.

What to Expect at Your Massage Appointment

Your appointment begins with a conversation about your goals, areas of concern, health history, and preferred pressure. This helps your massage therapist determine which techniques may be appropriate and whether any precautions are needed.

During your session, your therapist will work with you to maintain a comfortable, professional environment and adjust the treatment as needed. You can communicate your preferences at any point, including asking for lighter pressure, avoiding an area, or stopping a technique.

After your session, you may notice reduced muscle tension or feel more relaxed. Responses vary from person to person, and some people experience temporary soreness after massage.

If you’re already receiving chiropractic care at our clinic, let us know. Where appropriate, your providers can help you consider how massage may fit into your overall care plan.

Frequently Asked Questions