You’ve probably been in deep thought from time to time.
Maybe you’ve listened to Deep Purple if you’re a fan of modern rock.
You may even be charting a course for the deep blue sea this upcoming spring break.
But what is deep tissue massage? For those who have never visited an acupuncture clinic, this amazing treatment may still be shrouded – deeply – in mystery. But did you know it can help your body get out of deep trouble and allow you to feel your best?
Similar to Swedish massage – a therapeutic bodywork combining oils and lotions with rolling, kneading, and percussion strokes to help the body improve circulation and reduce stress – deep tissue massages penetrates the deeper layers of muscle tissue, tendons, and fascia to release chronic tension.
How Does Deep Tissue Massage Work?
This massage utilizes firm pressure and slow, deep guided strokes to reach below superficial muscles and relieve severe tension. It is frequently paired with other methods to treat serious injuries, stiffness, and pain and can be used to break up scar tissue and/or physically break down muscle “knots” or adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) that disrupt circulation and cause inflammation and a limited range of motion.
What are the Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage therapy relieves the symptoms of acute, chronic, and postural pain conditions, and typically focuses on a specific problem, such as injury rehabilitation. It is highly effective for releasing chronic stress areas due to misalignment, repetitive motions, and past lingering injuries.
This massage is regularly used for the following conditions:
- Limited mobility
- Muscle cramps
- Posture problems
- Osteoarthritis pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Scoliosis
- Upper back or neck pain
In addition to loosening muscles, this massage can also help to:
- Promote healing by stimulating the body’s natural repair mechanisms.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Reduce scar tissue formation.
- Decrease muscle spasms.
When compared to other methods like Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage has also been shown to be more effective in improving the quality of life for individuals suffering from arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, high blood pressure – and so much more. In addition, this type of massage can help to improve blood circulation and range of motion for athletes recovering from training-related injuries.
Because of the rigorous manipulation of tissue, it is normal to feel some soreness the day after deep tissue massage therapy. Drinking plenty of water helps to flush out toxins that were released from your muscles during the massage. As always, talk to your family doctor or acupuncturist before pursuing new treatments. Due to the firm pressure used in deep tissue massage, this method may not be a good fit for people who have blood clotting and/or bleeding disorders, are undergoing cancer treatments, or are pregnant. For all of these reasons, and more, you should trust only the best when making a deep tissue massage appointment. Resilient Health Acupuncture offers a full line of massage services, including Swedish and deep tissue.
So, what is deep tissue massage? Schedule your appointment to find out more – and get relief – today.