Deep Tissue Massage

So when you hear Deep Tissue Massage you might picture your therapist walking on your back, grinding their elbow into your poor muscles, you holding in cries of pain and tears!

This is not what Deep Tissue Massage is about.

There is a difference between a deep tissue massage and a deep pressure treatment.

Deep Tissue Massage focuses on the deeper layers of tissue.  It uses slow and deep pressure on the contracted areas.  It is not uncommon to have some discomfort during the treatment (if it is too much to tolerate let your therapist know), or for a day or so after receiving treatment.  This technique is best used for chronic tension and re-occurring injuries.

The therapist may use techniques involving elbows and fingers in order to access the deeper muscles of the body.  These techniques may be used going with or against the muscle fibers. It can also use techniques referred to as Myofasical release (more in another blog)

Deep pressure massage would consist of a steady use of an increased pressure using basic techniques throughout the treatment.  It does not focus on a particular compliant.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage taken from: http://altmedicine.about.com/od/massage/a/massage.htm

Unlike classic massage therapy, which is used for relaxation, deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as:

• Chronic pain
• Limited mobility
• Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls, sports injury)
• Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
• Postural problems
• Ostearthritis pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Muscle tension or spasm

A common misunderstanding of the therm deep tissue massage is that the whole treatment will use deep consistent pressure.  It would be to taxing on the therapist and the client on both a physical and emotional level.