Deep Tissue Massage
What is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage targets chronic muscle tension that lies far below the body’s surface. Deep muscle techniques involve slow strokes, direct pressure, or friction movements across the muscle grain.
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What to Expect from Deep Tissue Massage?
If you’re wondering what happens in a deep tissue massage, here are the key stages:
Discussion: Like any treatment, you should discuss what you hope to achieve with your therapist before the massage begins and involves signing an ‘Informed Consent’ form, a legal requirement.
Muscle preparation: Your therapist will likely start warming up your muscles by applying oil and light pressure to the areas they’ll be working on.
Stripping: This technique uses thumbs, knuckles, forearms, or elbows. During this phase, you’ll feel a gliding pressure along the fibers of your muscles.
Friction: Here, pressure is applied across the grain of your muscles to realign tissue fibers and release any adhesions (areas of rigid tissue) that cause discomfort.
Expect to be asked to breathe deeply when the person treating you is working on incredibly tight or deep areas of your muscles. It’s common to feel discomfort at the time of massage itself. You can also expect to experience some stiffness and soreness in the day or so following your deep tissue massage.
Does Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?
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Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage?
- STRESS RELIEF: Deep tissue massage is a great stress reliever. Whether you are experiencing stress at home or work, getting a massage is a great way to unplug and relax for an extended time. A massage can help lower cortisol levels and increase oxytocin levels, a hormone that relaxes the body and produces soothing effects. It can also help with physical symptoms of stress, such as tight muscles and shoulders and tension headaches. A deep tissue massage can address these issues and help your body relax.
- REDUCES PAIN: There are several conditions that deep tissue massage therapy can treat. Chronic pain in the lower back, plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, and stiff necks can all be treated with massage therapy. Muscle tension usually occurs with chronic pain and can be lessened with deep tissue massage, which can loosen the tight tissue clusters causing pain. Research has reported that deep tissue massage is more effective for relieving chronic pain than medication or other medical treatments and is usually more cost-effective.
- LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE: Deep tissue massage reduces stress and tension, which impacts blood pressure. Massage has positive impacts on systolic, diastolic, and arterial blood pressure. The massage can also increase serotonin production, promoting good feelings and happiness.
- BREAKS UP SCAR TISSUE & MAKES MOVEMENT EASIER: In areas where people have scar tissue, they often report chronic pain and stiffness. Regular deep tissue massages can help break up this scar tissue by improving lymphatic circulation and drainage to improve flexibility and range of motion in the area of the scar tissue. Many recovering from surgery are encouraged to get deep tissue massages to minimize scar tissue.
- BREAKS UP SCAR TISSUE & MAKES MOVEMENT EASIER: In areas where people have scar tissue, they often report chronic pain and stiffness. Regular deep tissue massages can help break up this scar tissue by improving lymphatic circulation and drainage to improve flexibility and range of motion in the area of the scar tissue. Many recovering from surgery are encouraged to get deep tissue massages to minimize scar tissue.
- REDUCES ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS: Deep tissue massage therapy can treat many symptoms of arthritis, like pain, stiffness, limited range of motion in joints, and sleep issues. Moderate pressure can reduce arthritis pain and ease tension, making it easier for those with arthritis to move around. It can also help with sleep issues by alleviating pain that may keep arthritis patients awake.
- REHABILITATES INJURED MUSCLES: If you have injured muscles, a deep-tissue massage can help stretch tight or twisted muscles and facilitate the movement of toxins from your muscles. Deep tissue massage therapy is used frequently to treat sports-related injuries. Many athletes are incorporating deep tissue massage into their recovery protocols, as they can help delay the onset of muscle soreness, help with muscle fatigue, and prevent injuries.
- HELPS WITH LABOR AND DELIVERY: Deep tissue massage can help women control their pain during labor. Even before labor, prenatal massages are an excellent way for women to relax and ease tight muscles due to pregnancy. The increases in cortisol also help women minimize depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain.
How deep tissue massage works?
Chronic muscle tension or injury usually involves adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation. Deep tissue massage physically breaks down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement.
Massage therapists will use their fingers, thumbs, or occasionally even elbows to apply the needed pressure.
Who Should Get a Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage is best suited for people with high physical activities, such as running, or those with an injury or chronic pain.
Swedish massage is gentler and may be a better option if you have a low pain threshold or are looking for relief from tense muscles.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is deep tissue massage good or bad?
Deep tissue massage can effectively treat various conditions, including sports injuries and back pain.
2. What are the three types of massage?
There are three main massage techniques that you’ll find used by all of the pros, and they all serve different functions. You’ll most often see the Swedish massage, the Deep Tissue massage, and the Sports massage offered at a professional massage studio near you.
3. What is the best massage technique?
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- Kneading. Kneading comes to mind the most when thinking about top massage techniques.
- Stroking. Stroking is another common and well-known massage technique.
- Face and Neck Rubbing.
- Tapping.
- Vibrating
4. How many sessions of deep tissue massage?
You may seek deep tissue massages for pain daily, a few times a week, or a few times a month.
5. What is the side effect of massage therapy?
Muscle Aches or Fatigue
