If you've ever been to a chiropractor, you may have noticed that they offer a variety of modality therapies in addition to traditional adjustments. But what are these therapies, and how do they work? Here's a look at modality therapy and how it can help relieve your pain.

What Is Modality Therapy? 

Modality therapy is a type of physical therapy that uses various techniques to relieve pain. Some common modalities used in chiropractic care include massage, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and heat/cold therapy. While modality therapies can be used alone, they complement traditional chiropractic adjustments well. The combination provides non-surgical relief from pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms.

How Do Modalities Work?

In chiropractic care, modalities are simply other methods of treatment that are used along with traditional medical approaches. Each modality works in slightly different ways, but they all have one goal: to relieve your pain and inflammation.

• Massage therapy. Massage is often used to loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow to the affected area, which can help reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Ultrasound therapy. Sound waves penetrate deep into the tissues during ultrasound therapy and generate heat. The heat increases blood flow which, in turn, reduces inflammation, relaxes muscles, and reduces.
• Electrical stimulation. This modality uses gentle electrical currents to stimulate the brain's natural opioid receptors to reduce pain and inflammation. While applying electrical currents to the body may seem unusual, it is neither painful nor dangerous. Electrical stimulation is effective and often speeds healing.
• Heat/cold therapy. Chiropractors often use heat/cold therapy to reduce inflammation and muscle spasms their patients are experiencing. In fact, professional sports teams often use this modality therapy to help their athletes recover from injuries and get back on the field faster.
• Exercise. Exercise modalities may also be part of your treatment plan, as they help you build strength and improve your range of motion. Exercise modalities could include stretching, balance exercises, and low-impact cardiovascular workouts.

Which Modality Therapy Is Right for You?

Your chiropractor will work with you to determine which modality or combination of modalities will be most effective for your specific condition based on your medical history, symptoms, overall health, comfort level, and current chiropractic treatment plan.

If you're living with chronic pain, modality therapy may be able to help. Your chiropractor will work with you if you're looking for an alternative to complement or augment your traditional chiropractic care treatment plan.

Find modality therapy treatments near you to learn more.