If you’re dealing with muscle tension, nagging pain, or simply feeling stiff and stressed, you’re not alone. Whether it’s from long hours at work, an old injury that won’t let up, or the everyday wear and tear of life, discomfort takes a real toll. Even simple tasks feel like a challenge!
That’s where massage therapy comes in. More than a way to relax, massage therapy helps loosen tight muscles, improve blood circulation, and support your body’s natural healing process. When combined with chiropractic care, it’s even more effective!
At Marshall Chiropractic in Tulsa, we see firsthand how much of a difference massage therapy makes. Whether you’re struggling with back pain, tension headaches, or stress-related tightness, the right approach to massage therapy helps you move, feel, and live better.
In this blog, we explain massage therapy, how it works, and why it may be exactly what your body needs.
What is Massage Therapy & How Does It Work?
Massage therapy is more than a way to relax your muscles. It’s a hands-on approach to loosening tight muscles, easing pain, and helping your body heal naturally. A skilled massage therapist knows how to find trouble spots and work through them methodically so that you move and feel better.
If you ever notice how a stiff neck or sore back makes everything feel harder, that’s because your muscles are tight and tense. When this happens to your muscles, not only is this feeling uncomfortable, but it also restricts movement, limits blood flow, and puts stress on other parts of your body.
Massage therapy works by breaking that cycle. With the right amount of pressure on tight muscles and sore spots, massage helps your body:
- Improve circulation – More blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients, which help your muscles heal and recover.
- Release tension in connective tissue. The thin layer of tissue, also known as fascia, around your muscles, becomes tight and stiff, limiting movement. Massage helps loosen it up.
- Turn on the body’s “relax mode” – Massage activates the part of your nervous system that calms you down, lowers stress, and improves sleep.
- Interrupt pain signals – When your muscles are worked the right way, it gives you relief by stopping pain signals from reaching your brain.
Not all massages feel the same because different techniques target different issues. Some are all about deep pressure to work out stubborn knots, while others focus on gentle movements to relax your body. At Marshall Chiropractic, we take the time to understand what your body needs. Every session is focused on what helps you feel better, move easily, and get back to doing what you love.
Types of Massage Therapy
There are many different types of massage, each with its unique benefits. Some focus on deep muscle relief, while others are designed to improve circulation or help with stress. Here are a few of the most common:
- Swedish Massage – A gentle, full-body massage that helps with relaxation and circulation.
- Deep Tissue Massage – Uses firm pressure to work out deep knots and chronic muscle tension.
- Trigger Point Therapy – Focuses on tight muscle areas (knots) that cause pain in other parts of the body.
- Sports Massage – Helps athletes recover from workouts and prevent injuries.
- Prenatal Massage – Designed for pregnant women to relieve back and joint pain.
At Marshall Chiropractic in Tulsa, we witness how massage therapy helps people move better, hurt less, and feel more in control of their health. If you’ve been dealing with pain or stiffness, why not see what massage therapy does for you?
Who Benefits from Massage Therapy?
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, stress, stiffness, or injuries, massage therapy is a game-changer for your overall health. Here are some of the biggest benefits of massage therapy and who it helps:
- Relieves muscle tension & pain – If you’re constantly dealing with sore, tight muscles or nagging pain in your back, neck, or shoulders, massage therapy helps release knots and ease discomfort.
- Reduces stress & promotes relaxation – If life has you feeling tense, massage therapy helps activate your body’s "relax mode," lowering cortisol levels and easing mental and physical stress.
- Improves circulation & speeds up recovery – If you’re healing from an injury or soreness, better blood flow means more oxygen and nutrients reach your muscles, helping them recover faster.
- Boosts flexibility & mobility – If you feel stiff, struggle with mobility, or have tightness that limits movement, massage therapy helps loosen muscles and improve your range of motion.
- Supports better sleep – Trouble sleeping? When your body is relaxed and free of tension, it’s easier to get deeper, more restful sleep.
- Helps with headaches & tension-related pain – If you suffer from tension headaches, migraines, or chronic neck pain, massage therapy helps relieve the tight muscles that contribute to discomfort.
Massage Therapy at Marshall Chiropractic in Tulsa
At Marshall Chiropractic, we know that no two bodies are the same. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, a nagging injury, or just feeling stiff and sore, we take a custom approach to help you feel and move better.
As the official chiropractor for the Tulsa Oilers hockey and football teams, we’ve seen firsthand how much of a difference massage therapy makes, not only for pain relief but also for injury prevention, faster recovery, and better mobility. If massage therapy helps professional athletes perform at their best, imagine what it does for you!
What to Expect at Your Massage Therapy Session
When you come in for a session, we don’t just give a standard massage and send you on your way. We take the time to understand what’s going on with your body, so we tailor every session to your specific needs. Here’s what to expect:
- A targeted approach – Whether it’s deep tissue work for stubborn knots or a gentler massage for overall relaxation, we adjust the pressure and technique to fit your needs.
- A team effort – If needed, we combine massage therapy with chiropractic adjustments to help you get the best results.
- Long-term relief, not just a quick fix – Whether it’s a one-time session or part of your ongoing care plan, we focus on making sure you feel better in the long run.
Whether you are an athlete, a busy professional, a weekend warrior, or anyone dealing with pain or tension, Marshall Chiropractic is dedicated to making you feel your best. If you’re ready to loosen up, move better, and take control of your health, massage therapy may be exactly what your body needs.
Ready to Feel Better? Let’s Get Started. Don’t let pain, stiffness, or stress slow you down. Whether you need relief from an injury or want to move better, our team at Marshall Chiropractic in Tulsa is here to help. If you’re ready to experience the benefits of massage therapy for yourself, schedule an appointment with us today!