What is a Deep Tissue Massage?
This type of massage focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles. It is used for chronic aches, pain, and contracted areas such as a stiff neck and upper back, low back pain, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders.
Some of the strokes are the same as those used in classic massage therapy, but the movement is slower, and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain in order to reach the sub-layer of muscles and the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles).
How does it work?
With chronic muscle tension or injury, there may be adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Adhesions can disrupt circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation.
Deep tissue massage will work by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. To do this, your therapist may use deep fingers, thumbs, elbows, and knuckles with some massage lotion, often adding pressure to particular areas of your body.
Does Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?
At certain points during the massage, most people find there is usually some discomfort and pain.
It is important to tell the massage therapist when things hurt and if any soreness you experience is outside your comfort range.
But you can also find the "good pain," that feeling where pain relief is experienced at the same time; that is the exact moment where adhesions and constraints in the muscles and joints are released.
After the storm comes the calm!
There is usually some pain after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a day or two. The massage therapist may recommend applying cold and heat to the area after the massage or taking Epsom salt baths.
Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
Reduces chronic pain
Improved recovery from injury
Improves mobility (helps with posture imbalances)
Reduces muscle soreness, tightness, and spasms from physical activity
Triggers the release of oxytocin and serotonin (boosts mood and relaxation)
Reduces cortisol and heart rate (lowers stress)
Muscle Recovery
Post-Workout Massage
Effective Pain Relief
Deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as chronic muscle pain, injury rehabilitation, and the following conditions:
Chronic pain
Lower back pain
Knots and Trigger Points
Limited mobility
Recovery from injuries (e.g., whiplash, falls, sports injury)
Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
Muscle tension in the hamstrings, glutes, IT band, legs, quadriceps, rhomboids, and upper back
Osteoarthritis pain
Sciatica
Piriformis syndrome
Tennis elbow
Fibromyalgia
Muscle tension or spasm
After a workout or bodybuilding
Contraindications
Whiplash If inflamed
Intervertebral disc problems
Embolism or Thrombus
Bipolar Disorder
Autoimmune diseases
Connective tissue diseases such as osteomyelitis, lupus, and scleroderma.
Epileptics
High blood pressure
Cerebral Palsy
Cancer
Intra Uterine Device (may become displaced, possibly leading to complications.)
Menstruation (if strong)
Recent Cosmetic surgery
Pregnancy
Abscess teeth
Aneurysm
Bone fractures or acute soft tissue injuries: wait for full healing (6 weeks - 3 months)
Clients on Cortisone: (wait 2-3 months)
Hemophiliacs
Hodgkin's disease (cancer of the lymph system)
Inflammatory conditions (includes such things as tendonitis and bursitis; contraindicated during acute stages; can be worked peripherally to site possible when inflammation has subsided)
Infectious conditions (with some exceptions, like HIV: get medical supervision)
Leukemia
Osteoporosis (usually found in post-menopausal women)
Phlebitis: same risk as for 'embolism or thrombus'
Recent scar tissue (including regular or plastic surgeries): no work on this area until the scarring process is complete (usually at least six weeks).