Therapeutic Massage Therapy
At Oasis Chiropractic Center We Believe That Massage is a Perfect Complement to Chiropractic Care
Consider Therapeutic Massage Therapy when recommend by your chiropractor. Dr. Starkman believes it’s important to treat soft tissues such as muscles and tendons to help prevent and correct subluxations, and lessen the accompanying pain. Together, chiropractic and massage provide you with a more complete and effective system of treatment. Therapeutic massage and stretching can help you regain and maintain proper alignment. When muscles are relaxed and restored to their optimal length, correct posture and alignment are more easily sustained.
While chiropractic focuses on the relationship between the spine and its impact on the nervous system, massage focuses on the 650 muscles of the body. Both disciplines work together to help keep the body in proper alignment, balance and function.
Retraining Your Spine
Long-standing spinal problems are accompanied by ingrained muscle patterns. Muscle spasms and scar tissue are often involved. By augmenting your chiropractic care with massage therapy, these muscle and soft tissue problems can be addressed. This can help speed your recovery and enhance the retraining of your spine.

Jacqui performing a Deep Tissue Massage
Types of Massage
There are many different kinds of massage. We offer a variety of Massage techniques at OasisChiropracticCenter depending on each patient’s individual needs.
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. The massage therapist uses slower strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. Deep tissue massage is used for chronically tight or painful muscles, repetitive strain, postural problems, or recovery from injury. People often feel sore for one to two days after deep tissue massage.
For more information abut Deep Tissue Massage click here.
Pregnancy Massage
Also called prenatal massage, pregnancy massage is becoming increasingly popular with expectant mothers. We have an experienced Massage therapist who knows the proper way to position and support the woman’s body during the massage, and how to modify techniques. Pregnancy massage is used to reduce stress, decrease swelling, relieve aches and pains, and reduce anxiety and depression. The massage is customized to a woman’s individual needs.
To learn more about Pregnancy Massage, please click here.
Massage Therapy – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I expect during my first massage therapy visit?
2. Where will my massage session take place?
3. Who Will Perform the Massage?
4. What do I wear during the massage?
5. What do I do during a massage therapy treatment?
7. How often should I receive a massage?
8. How long will a massage treatment last?
9. How will I feel after the massage therapy treatment?
10. What do I do after my massage?
- Get Adjusted
Together, chiropractic and massage facilitate the natural healing process by keeping the body in proper alignment and ensuring a free flow of nerve impulses and circulation of fluids. Because muscles are attached to bones and joints it is very important for them to be relaxed and stretched to aid in adjustments to the skeletal system. The majority of our patients opt to receive a massage prior to being adjusted. Unless our staff is otherwise advised by the patient, we always schedule an adjustment right after your massage. We do are very best to always have an adjusting room available to our massage patients immediately following their massage session, therefore you never have to wait very long to be seen with Dr. Starkman.
Some Benefits of Massage Therapy before Chiropractic Care:
–Helps prepare the body for better adjustments
–It increases the effectiveness of treatments
–Relieves muscle tension and pain
–Helps you relax overall and become more receptive to the adjustments needed
- After your massage, drink plenty of water through the next two to three days
- Eat light foods and try to rest after the treatment
- Do not engage in any stressful activity if possible. If working out at the gym, it is not recommended to lift weights after a deep tissue massage
- Moist heat (i.e. hot water packs) and ice can be used alternately for 10 minutes on areas of soreness to heal the areas where deeper massage work was performed
- Soak in a hot bath with Epsom salts
- It is not uncommon to feel soreness after a massage. The massage therapist has uncovered an area where there is a lot of tension. Alternating hot and cold compresses on the area of soreness will help, as well
- Schedule a follow up appointment. Therapeutic effects of massage are cumulative. If you are getting a massage to help with chronic pain or tension, be open and prepared to schedule follow up massage sessions.
11. How do I get the most out of my Massage?
- Don’t eat just before a massage session. Your body should have time to digest your meal first.
- Be on time. It is quite difficult to relax if you arrive in a rushed state.
- Let the massage therapist know your expectations and reasons for the massage.
- If you have a preference, communicate with the therapist if you like to talk or prefer to remain silent during your massage.
- Provide feedback to the massage therapist advising on the amount of pressure you desire, report any discomfort or distractions from the technique, music, temperature, etc.
- Breathing properly helps us relax, so try to breathe normally.
- Relax
- Take your time when getting up from a massage. Try to take in how you feel, the effects of the session, and make sure you are not dizzy or light-headed.
- Drink plenty of water after your massage, this helps to flush away any toxins released from your soft tissue.
Massage Therapy can enhance your vitality and sense of well-being. Massage has been shown to…
- Improve posture and re-balance your body/mind
- Loosen tight muscles
- Relieve tired and aching muscles
- Ease constipation, gas and heartburn
- Stimulate intestinal movement
- Eliminate excess fluid retention
- Increase flexibility and range of motion
- Diminishes chronic pain
- Calm the nervous system
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower heart rate
- Enhance skin tone
- Assist in recovery from injuries
- Strengthen the immune system
- Reduce tension headaches
- Reduce mental stress
- Improve concentration
- Promote restful sleep
- Promote mental relaxation
Plus, it just feels good!
Getting a massage can do you a world of good. And getting a massage regularly can do even more. Taking part in this form of regularly scheduled treatment can play a huge part in your health and wellness plan, but despite its benefits, massage isn’t meant as a replacement for regular Chiropractic Care. Consult with Dr. Starkman a Wellness Plan that works best for you. At the end of the session you will be evaluated by Dr. Starkman and together you can decide when your next treatment should be scheduled. Dr. Starkman will make recommendations, but you know your body best and will have the opportunity to schedule based on your needs.
Cancellation of appointments:
Massage appointments are especially reserved for each patient. We request the courtesy for a 24-hour cancellation notice. No shows or cancellations of less than 24 hours are subject to a $25 fee for half hour and $50 fee for full hour sessions. More information is provided in our Massage Policy Form.
Late Arrivals:
If you arrive late, your session may be shortened in order to accommodate others whose appointments follow yours. Depending upon how late you arrive, your therapist will then determine if there is enough time remaining to start a treatment. Regardless of the length of the treatment actually given, you will be responsible for the “full” session. Out of respect and consideration to your therapist and other customers, please plan accordingly and be on time.