Is Deep Tissue Massage Right For You?
Deep tissue massage is the most common massage therapy widely used to treat pains and chronic aches. The technique targets areas of tightness or tension and applies pressure to connective tissues surrounding the muscles.
What Is Deep-Tissue Massage Therapy?
Deep tissue massage uses slow strokes and firm pressure to massage deep fascia and muscle layers. It breaks down muscle adhesions and scar tissue to enhance proper blood circulation and minimize inflammation and pain. A massage therapist will start by applying lighter pressure on the muscles and then work into deep pressure. A common technique involves stripping that is accompanied by deep pressure along the muscle fibers that applies pressure across the muscle grain to align the tissue fibers and break up adhesions.
Deep Tissue Massage Techniques
Active Release Method (ART)
ART technique combines examination and treatment. A massage therapist checks a client’s medical history before starting the process. They use their hands to evaluate how the muscles, tendons, and ligaments are and check the composition of the muscles. The massage therapist evaluates the nerves during the examination and then works on the abnormal tissue while coordinating the pressure.
Muscle Energy Technique
The deep tissue massage technique stretches the muscles and is usually used by Ashiatsu massage Denver therapists dealing with patients with specific injuries and sportspeople during physical therapy. This method allows the relaxation and strengthening of cramped muscles. Following an injury, a patient may seek this massage from a mobile spa or at home to decrease restricted edema and help muscles recapture their capacity.
What Are The Benefits?
A deep tissue massage has mental and physical benefits for the patient. It has numerous benefits, including:
Stress Relief
Whether an individual is experiencing stress at work or home, a deep tissue massage is an excellent way to relax. A massage helps increase oxytocin levels, an essential hormone that produces soothing effects and relaxes the body. It helps relieve physical stress such as tension headaches, shoulders, and tight muscles. A deep tissue massage addresses such issues to help the body relax.
Reduces Pain
Various conditions which can be treated by deep tissue massage include pain in the lower back and stiff neck. It lessens muscle tensions that usually accompany chronic pain. Research indicates that this approach is more effective for relieving chronic pain than other medical treatments and is more cost-effective.
Lowers Blood Pressure And Heart Rate
Deep tissue massage minimizes tension and stress, which positively impacts blood pressure. Massage increases serotonin levels, which promotes happiness and good feelings.
Reduces Arthritis Symptoms
Deep tissue massage therapy treats various symptoms of arthritis, including stiffness, pain, sleep issues, and limited motion in joints. Moderate pressure helps ease tension and minimize arthritis pain, which makes mobility for persons with arthritis easy.
Rehabilitates Injured Muscles
Individuals with injured muscles can get help by undertaking deep tissue massage therapy. It helps stretch twisted muscles and allows easy movement of toxins from the muscles. The approach is frequently used to treat sports-related injuries. Many athletes incorporate massage techniques into the recovery protocol to delay the onset of muscle fatigue and prevent injuries.
Helps With Labor And Delivery
Deep tissue massage helps women have control over the labor pain. Prenatal massages enable women to ease tight muscles and relax during pregnancy. The increases in cortisol levels allow women to minimize anxiety, depression, and back pain. Research indicates that women who receive regular massages during and before labor experience less pain.
Deep tissue massage is recommended for individuals engaging in intense physical activities, pregnant women, or those with injuries and chronic pain. Individuals with underlying medical conditions can speak to the family doctor before trying a deep tissue massage.
