Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage focuses on realigning deep layers of muscles and connective tissue. Deep tissue is commonly used for areas of the body that have been contracted for long periods of time or suffer from chronic tension. Common areas are the neck, low back, and shoulders, but clients can experience this type of pain in other areas of the body based on past injuries or traumas.
Chronic muscle tension and injury cause adhesions (rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These adhesions obstruct circulation, causing inflammation and decreased range of motion which leads to chronic pain symptoms. Deep tissue massage breaks down adhesions through use of direct pressure or friction, relieving pain and re-establishing full range of motion.
Often, therapists will use the same techniques in other types of massage, but the difference in deep tissue is the technique is slower, allowing the therapist to concentrate on the area of pain, isolate it, and work at a deeper pressure.
Deep tissue massage can be uncomfortable and even painful at times. It is important to communicate with the massage therapist when a level of pain outside your tolerance is reached, or you are unable to breathe deeply in order to relieve such pain. Muscle soreness or pain after a deep tissue massage is common, and usually feels like soreness after a strenuous workout. Ask your therapist if any ice therapy is necessary after a deep tissue session, and, as with any massage session, plenty of water intake is imperative.
Common conditions deep tissue massage is used for: chronic pain, limited mobility or loss in range of motion, fibromyalgia, muscle spasm, osteoarthritis pain, postural defects, recovery from injury (these can include sports injuries, falls, auto accidents), repetitive strain injury (tennis elbow, carpal tunnel).
