Why Should You Treat Yourself to a Deep Tissue Massage?
Do you spend long hours, stressful hours at your desk? Do you engage in intensive sporting activity?
You’re probably reading this slouched over a device, realizing that your back and neck aren’t, in fact, in great shape.
What is a deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massage therapy involves the usage of firm, slow strokes that reach deeper layers of muscle and fascia. It’s used for chronic aches and pain and contracted areas such as a stiff neck and upper back, low back pain, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders.
It differs from other forms of massage therapy as it targets specific areas of discomfort to break up scar tissue. It then physically breaks down muscle knots or adhesions.Here slower, stronger strokes are used on areas of pain. Scar tissue is loosened, knots are undone and sub-layers of muscle are moved back into place. Some clients report deep tissue therapy as being more effective than physical therapy, exercise, medication, chiropractic treatment and acupuncture. So next time, instead of a regular back massage, opt for a deep tissue back massage for enhanced results.
What happens in a deep tissue massage?
In a typical deep tissue massage, the massage therapist initially applies light pressure to warm up the muscles. Then more pressure is applied to specific areas using techniques like stripping (deep, gliding pressure along the length of the muscle fibers using the elbows, forearms, knuckles, and thumbs) and friction (applying pressure across the grain of the muscle which helps eliminate adhesions and realign tissue). The therapist tailors the treatment to suit each client’s individual problems and needs.
Why do you need one?
Whether you spend a majority of your life typing or swinging a racquet, this massage therapy is for you.
Deep tissue massagesaddress a wide range of problems, such as limited mobility, back pain (upper and lower), neck pain, repetitive strain injury (e.g. carpal tunnel syndrome), tennis elbow, osteoarthritis pain, etc. which require a more intense and deep massage therapy.It is also beneficial in injury rehabilitation and relieving other forms of chronic pain.
Many clients with fibromyalgia painalso report instant improvement in the range of motion after availing this massage service. Research has also found that a deep tissue massage on calf muscles coupled with specific stretches can reduce pain related to plantar fasciitis (an inflammation of a thick band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes).
The benefits of a deep tissue body massage aren’t limited to just muscle pain relief. This treatmentcan also help lower blood pressure and improve heart rate which is very advantageous for the cardiovascular system as it helps lower the risk of heart disease.It also helps regulate stress hormone levels by enabling the release of oxytocin and serotonin (positive, feel-good neurochemicals). In our busy urban lives,relax massage forms like deep tissue massage therapy help ease built up stresswhich shouldn’t be left unresolved.Your hard-earned time off would be well spent in a deep tissue massage session which will surely leave you rejuvenated.
