There are numerous types of massage to add to your massage therapy services as a doctor of chiropractic
“What an amazing opportunity it is, for both your office and your patients, to have a massage room with massage therapy services offered in your chiropractic practice,” writes Kathy “KMC” Weidner, who leads the team at KMC University.
“Make entry into your office easier by marketing massage. It’s often an easier entry point than walking into a chiropractic office because they know massage, they understand massage …Why would we not be promoting massage to expose potential patients to chiropractic in the process. I’ve seen it work for many, many years — I’ve seen it work with me. I know my chiropractor doesn’t offer massage, that’s why I’m a member elsewhere, and I’m happy to pay cash for that.”
Percussion massage coupled with stretching
Adding percussion massage is also an option.
“Percussion massage decreases densification of the fascia and improves gliding effects, which improves motor behavior, which the brain likes because the brain exists to help us move, which helps relieve pain,” writes Jeffrey Tucker, DC. “Densification of tissues that I find in the majority of pain in chronic low-back patients, shoulder pain, calf muscle tightness, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, hip pain, and non-healing sports injuries do better with percussion massage coupled with cyclical stretching more than continuous stretching for fascial pain relief.
“You can enhance your practice with percussion massage therapy services to stimulate deep-muscle tissue and concentrate on general or local muscle spasms. Deep, rapid, short-duration percussion and vibration are the key.”
Massage therapy services and adding acupuncture
In many cases, a DC can add acupuncture to their massage therapy services and their practice without the services of a licensed acupuncturist. In the majority of states, DCs can become certified in acupuncture under their chiropractic license.
Acupuncture certification allows the DC to perform and bill for acupuncture (CPT codes 97810, 97811, 97813, and 97814). This certification allows the DC to perform acupuncture personally and add to their practice without hiring an LAc or being an LAc.
The District of Columbia and 30 states allow DCs to add acupuncture to their practice. (Note: State laws, rules and regulations can change quickly — consult with your state licensing agency.)
To see more massage and acupuncture products and options go to chiroeco.com/products/product-category/massage-and-acupuncture.
