Deep tissue massage is great at breaking down scar tissue and getting your blood circulating. A therapist applies specific techniques and the right amount of pressure to address your need. Most clients like in this type of massage, and that makes sense because it is a great way to manage pain. Deep tissue massage, as well as the other therapeutic massage methods, can give you a lot of relief from chronic pain. Many of our clients come in for back and neck pain from two side effects of working on computers all day.
Benefits of deep tissue massage
- Deep tissue massage is a good option if you have a lot of muscle tension, chronic pain or sever reduced mobility.
- Helps in making movement easier after an injury. It breaks down the scar tissue that develops after an injury.
- This massage flushes toxins from the body and make it healthy. It is a great way to destress and detox. It pushes out lactic acid that is present deep in the muscle fibers.
- The massage lowers the heart rate and helps in treating anxiety.
- Great to ensure muscle rehabilitation.
- It is helpful in treating chronic pain, especially lower back pain.
What to expect
Deep tissue massage techniques are used to break up scar tissue and physically break down muscle “knots” or adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) that can disrupt circulation and cause pain, limited range of motion, and inflammation. At the beginning of a deep tissue massage, lighter pressure is generally applied to warm up and prepare the muscles. Specific techniques are then applied. Common techniques include:
- Stripping: Deep, gliding pressure is applied along the length of the muscle fibers using the elbow, forearm, knuckles, and thumbs.
- Friction: Pressure is applied across the grain of a muscle to release adhesions and realign tissue fibers.
Massage therapists may use fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows, and forearms during a deep tissue massage. You may be asked to breathe deeply as the massage therapist works on tense areas. After the massage, you may feel some stiffness or soreness, but it should subside within a day or so. Drinking water after the massage may help to flush the metabolic waste from the tissues.
