Deep Tissue Massage

This massage focuses on realigning the muscles and connective tissues right on its deeper layers. It is used to treat painful areas and chronically tensed muscles by loosening contracted muscles, such as low back tightness, sore shoulders, and stiff necks. 

It is characterized by slow but deep strokes to directly apply pressure to affected muscles. Some strokes are similar to classic massage therapy, but in considerably slower movements to concentrate on areas that are in pain and tension. Some highly affected muscles may feel painful, but it is significantly helpful to loosen up the muscles and release tension all throughout the body.

How Does It Work

Injuries or chronic muscle tension is characterized by adhesions. These are rigid and painful tissues in the muscles, ligaments and tendons. These adhesions block blood circulation and results into pain, inflammation, and limited movement. 

Deep tissue massage targets these adhesions by physically breaking them down, relieving pain and promoting normal movement in the process. Massage therapists imply deep pressure directly to the affected areas to treat the adhesions. 

The deep strokes may hurt at certain points throughout the massage, and many people experience discomfort and pain. This is why it is very important to tell therapist when the massage becomes uncomfortably painful.

In some cases, you may feel pain and stiffness even after the massage, but it usually subsides after a day or two. Also, it is advisable to apply ice to the massaged area after the treatment.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Even doctors recommend this type of massage to their patients because of its considerable benefits. 

Improves Blood Pressure

This type of massage alleviates stress and tension, which obviously have direct beneficial effect on blood pressure. A study in University of Maryland Medical Center shows that, deep-tissue massage can also help the body produce better levels of serotonin, a hormone that promotes good mood and happiness. 

Breaks Up Scar Tissue

Scars usually cause ongoing stiffness and pain, and deep tissue massage can address this problem when done over time. Deep tissue massage help break scar tissues and even erase them in from the body in the long run. It is through its improvement of lymphatic circulation which promotes drainage to improve the muscle’s flexibility and range of motion. This is the reason why many doctors recommend this massage as part of their patient’s recover program after surgery. 

Reduces Chronic Pain

The University Of Maryland Medical Center also reports that this form of massage is an affordable and effective option for relieving chronic body pain compared to the traditional medical remedies. Also, because deep tissue massage improves blood flow, it alleviates the inflammation which causes pain. This massage can also be used in treating muscle tensions as it works by loosening the right clusters of tissues. 

Restores Injured Muscles

Injured muscles can really benefit in deep tissue massage as it enables the movement of toxins out from the muscles and help stretch those tight and twisted muscle mass in affected areas and give way for faster and better healing. Also, because it relaxes the muscles, it greatly reduces pain cause by the injury. This is why therapist use this massage to rehabilitate athletes’ injuries.

One of the best deep tissue massage I have had has been from Monica at Total Essence Massage on the Gold Coast.