When people experience soreness in the neck, shoulders, back, or hips, they often turn to massage therapy for relief. While massage can help release muscle tension, many find that the discomfort isn’t fully resolved after an hour-long session. There’s often a lingering sensation that something deeper in the body still needs to be addressed.
This lingering discomfort is often due to joint restrictions caused by tight muscles. Muscles attach to bones and joints, and when they become excessively tight, they can pull joints out of their optimal positions. That’s why, even after a massage, it can feel like something is still “stuck” in the body.
Chiropractic care goes beyond spinal adjustments—it also addresses muscle tension. Many chiropractors incorporate soft tissue techniques into their treatments to improve outcomes and promote longer-lasting relief. In this blog, we’ll explore the relationship between soft tissue and chiropractic care, and why both are essential components of a holistic approach to musculoskeletal health.
The Interplay Between Muscles, Joints, and Nerves
Muscles, joints, and nerves are closely connected and influence each other. Muscles attach to bones, and nerves exit the spine to innervate those muscles. Repetitive movements in work or daily life can lead to tight muscles, which in turn pull on the joints and affect alignment over time.
Muscles work in pairs: when one contracts (the agonist), the opposing muscle (the antagonist) relaxes. If an agonist becomes too tight and overactive, its antagonist becomes weak and lengthened. This imbalance is one reason why massage alone may only provide partial relief—it releases tension but doesn’t address the weakness or instability in the opposing muscles. Strengthening those weaker muscles is key to restoring proper alignment and function.
A Common Example: Low Back Pain from Prolonged Sitting
One common scenario is low back pain from sitting too long. When seated for extended periods, the hip flexors remain in a shortened position, while the hip extensors (glutes) become underactive. This imbalance causes the pelvis to tilt forward or backward, lengthening the low back muscles and creating discomfort.
In this case, releasing the tight hip flexors is important—but equally important is reactivating and strengthening the glutes to restore proper pelvic alignment. This combined approach can lead to more lasting relief.
Techniques Chiropractors Use for Soft Tissue Release
Chiropractors often use hands-on soft tissue techniques, applying pressure with their fingers, knuckles, palms, forearms, or elbows to target tense muscles. In addition to manual release, other commonly used methods include:
- Dry Needling – Targets trigger points to release tension and improve circulation
- Cupping – Helps with blood flow and muscle relaxation
- Scraping (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) – Breaks down scar tissue and improves mobility
These techniques aim to relax tight muscles and support full recovery, especially when used alongside spinal adjustments.
Please note: Not all chiropractors at Total Health Chiropractic offer these specific techniques. If you’re interested in a particular method, please contact your local clinic to find out more.
When to Use Soft Tissue Techniques: Before or After the Adjustment?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some practitioners prefer to perform soft tissue work before the adjustment to help reduce muscle tension and make the adjustment smoother. Others believe it’s more effective to release the muscles after correcting the spinal restriction, to support the new alignment.
Neither approach is wrong. The key is that the patient experiences relief and improved function—that’s what defines a successful treatment.
Not Always Hands-On: Educating Patients Matters Too
In some cases, the muscle may be both tight and weak due to prolonged inactivity. Rather than jumping straight into soft tissue techniques, chiropractors may take an educational approach—helping patients activate and retrain those muscles through targeted exercises. Reawakening these underused muscles can reduce pain and improve posture just as effectively.
Chiropractic care isn’t just about adjusting the spine. Muscle health plays a crucial role in achieving long-term relief. By integrating soft tissue techniques and exercise-based rehab, chiropractors aim to offer more comprehensive and lasting results. Whether it’s before or after an adjustment, treating the muscles is often the missing link that helps patients truly feel better.
Total Health