Massage Therapy in Kansas City: Therapeutic Care That Complements Chiropractic
Written by Dr. Tyler Smith, DC — Founder of Form Chiropractic, Kansas City. 280+ five-star Google reviews.
At Form Chiropractic, we don't think of massage as separate from chiropractic care. They're complementary — and most of our patients who've experienced both say the combination produced better results than either one alone.
Our licensed massage therapist, Jonathan Davey, works with Dr. Tyler to help Kansas City patients move better, hurt less, and recover faster.
Key Takeaways
- Massage therapy addresses the muscle layer of musculoskeletal issues; chiropractic addresses the joint layer — the combination is more effective than either alone
- Therapeutic massage at Form Chiropractic is medical-grade: targeted, specific, evidence-informed
- Jonathan Davey is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) with training in deep tissue, sports massage, and therapeutic modalities
- Sessions are typically 60 or 90 minutes and can be scheduled alongside or separately from chiropractic visits
Why We Have a Massage Therapist on Staff
After years of treating patients with chiropractic adjustments alone, we noticed a pattern: some patients responded beautifully, while others held tension in their muscles that kept pulling their spine back out of alignment.
The adjustment would reset the joint. The surrounding muscles — tight, shortened, full of trigger points — would slowly tug the joint back into dysfunction. Repeat.
The fix was obvious: we needed someone on the team who could release the muscle layer so adjustments would hold.
That's what Jonathan does. His work releases tension in the soft tissues surrounding the joints we're trying to move. The result is adjustments that hold longer, pain that resolves faster, and outcomes that last.
Types of Massage Offered
Therapeutic / Deep Tissue Massage
For patients with chronic muscle tension, postural dysfunction, or injury-related tightness. Focused work on specific problem areas — usually neck, shoulders, lower back, hips. Firm pressure, targeted techniques. Not a spa-style relaxation massage; this is treatment.
Most popular for our back-pain, neck-pain, and injury-recovery patients.
Sports Massage
For athletes before, during, or after training cycles. Helps improve tissue quality, reduce injury risk, and accelerate recovery. Can be performed before a competition (to warm up tissues), after (to speed recovery), or during training blocks for maintenance.
Myofascial Release
Slower, more sustained work on the fascial layer — the connective tissue that wraps muscles and joints. Helpful for chronic tightness that doesn't respond to standard deep tissue work.
Trigger Point Therapy
Focused pressure on specific hyperirritable spots in muscles (trigger points) that can refer pain elsewhere. Classic example: a trigger point in the upper trapezius referring pain up into the skull as a headache. Releasing the trigger point releases the headache.
Prenatal Massage
Pregnancy-safe massage techniques using appropriate positioning and pressure. Helpful for pregnancy-related back pain, leg cramps, and general discomfort. Usually performed in side-lying position with pillows.
Swedish / Relaxation Massage
Lighter, flowing techniques for patients who want general stress reduction rather than specific problem-solving. Less common at our clinic (patients usually come with a specific complaint), but available.
How Massage Integrates With Chiropractic Care
There's no single 'right' order. We tailor to what your body needs:
Massage first, then adjustment. This is our most common sequence. Massage releases the muscle tension that's been locking joints in place, then the adjustment moves the joint much more easily (and often more comfortably).
Adjustment first, then massage. For patients with acute joint dysfunction, sometimes getting the joint moving is the priority, followed by soft-tissue work to smooth out the surrounding muscles.
Separate days. Some patients prefer a chiropractic visit on one day and a massage visit on another — less intense overall, and gives the body time to integrate each treatment.
Concurrent but focused. Jonathan and Dr. Tyler often coordinate on complex cases — Dr. Tyler addresses specific joint dysfunction while Jonathan addresses specific muscle patterns in the same week.
Common Conditions Massage Helps With
Neck and upper back tension
The classic office-worker / tech-neck complaint. Chronic tightness in the upper trapezius, levator scapulae, and suboccipital muscles. Responds beautifully to targeted massage combined with postural correction.
Low back pain
When the paraspinal muscles are chronically tight (often compensating for weak core stability), massage releases the tension that perpetuates the pain. Combined with adjustment and core work, produces durable results.
Sciatica
Some sciatica is caused or aggravated by piriformis syndrome — a deep hip muscle pressing on the sciatic nerve. Targeted piriformis release often reduces sciatic pain dramatically.
Headaches
Many tension headaches and cervicogenic headaches trace back to trigger points in the upper trapezius and suboccipital muscles. Treating those trigger points often eliminates the headache.
Sports injuries
For acute injuries, targeted soft-tissue work accelerates healing. For chronic overuse issues (runner's knee, tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis), massage releases the tension feeding the problem.
Post-car-accident soft tissue injuries
Whiplash produces significant soft-tissue damage. Gentle massage techniques aid recovery — we pair it with Dr. Smith's chiropractic care for a comprehensive post-accident recovery plan.
Pregnancy-related discomfort
Back pain, hip pain, leg cramps — all very common in pregnancy. Prenatal massage (with appropriate positioning) provides drug-free relief throughout pregnancy.
General stress and muscle tension
Chronic stress produces chronic muscle tension. For patients who don't have a specific injury but carry their stress in their neck and shoulders, regular massage provides both physical and mental benefits.
Session Lengths and Pricing
We offer:
- 60-minute sessions — standard length, good for general work or one specific area
- 90-minute sessions — for more comprehensive work, multiple problem areas, or patients who prefer longer sessions
Pricing is competitive with downtown KC massage clinics. Self-pay rates are transparent — we'll tell you before you book.
What to Expect at Your First Massage Visit
- Brief intake — specific complaints, medical history, pressure preferences
- Robin confirms goals — do you want a full-body session with focus areas, or specific problem-solving?
- Treatment — 60 or 90 minutes, with Jonathan checking in on pressure throughout
- Post-session — hydrate, gentle stretches, sometimes a follow-up recommendation
You're fully in control of the session. Too much pressure? Tell Jonathan. Uncomfortable with a specific area? Tell Robin. The session adjusts to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear for a massage?
Patients typically undress to their comfort level — usually underwear only. You'll be covered with a sheet throughout the session, with only the area being worked on exposed.
What's the difference between deep tissue and trigger point therapy?
Deep tissue is broader — slow, firm strokes through muscle layers. Trigger point therapy is more focused — specific pressure on individual hyperirritable spots. Most sessions use both as appropriate.
Will I be sore after?
Possibly. Deep work can produce a day of soreness that feels like post-workout. This is normal. Drink water, move gently, and it resolves within 24-48 hours.
How often should I get a massage?
For active problems: weekly during the first few weeks, tapering to bi-weekly or monthly as symptoms improve. For maintenance: monthly visits work well for most patients.
Can I book a massage without a chiropractic visit?
Yes. Jonathan sees patients for massage alone. That said, we often recommend at least a chiropractic evaluation if you're dealing with a specific injury or chronic issue.
Schedule a Massage Session
Whether you want to pair massage with chiropractic care or come in just for massage, Jonathan has availability.
Form Chiropractic | 600 Broadway Boulevard, Suite 175 | Downtown Kansas City, MO 64105
Serving Downtown, River Market, Crossroads, Midtown, Power and Light, and the greater Kansas City metro. Book with Jonathan or call to ask about combining massage with chiropractic care.