Deep Tissue Massage
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is a deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massage is one of the most popular massage modalities. Since it is an effective treatment for chronic pain or injury, many massage therapists use deep-tissue massage to target severe muscle tension in areas well below the body’s layers of skin and tissue. This technique requires slow, firm movements with direct pressure across the patient’s musculature. As a result, deep tissue massage involves using oils, lotions, and creams compatible with this high-friction massage technique.
The typical cause of chronic muscle pain or injury is when scar tissue forms into adhesions around your muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Consequently, the adhesions can block circulation, stimulate pain receptors, restrict movement, and cause inflammation. Massage therapists use deep tissue massage to break up these adhesions to ease pain and restore a complete range of motion.
Does deep tissue massage hurt?
Unlike Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage requires therapists to use their fingers, thumbs, or elbows to apply significant pressure on severely tight and contracted areas of your body. As a result, this massage technique may cause slight pain or discomfort, especially when relieving pain from whiplash, sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, and osteoarthritis. The pain level depends on the pressure needed to break away the adhesions. Some people refer to pain or discomfort caused by deep tissue massage as “good pain” because it is part of the healing process. To avoid unnecessary pain, always use an experienced and licensed massage therapist.
What does it mean when a reflexology point hurts?
Reflexology originates from the Chinese medicine concept of “chi,” or the life force energy circulating through your body. So, suppose you feel pain or soreness in the targeted area of the feet during a reflexology massage. In this case, it indicates that imbalances and blocked chi energies exist in the corresponding body part. As a result, the reflexologist may concentrate more intensely on that area of your foot to free the meridian energy flows. Your foot pain or soreness should decrease from the release of endorphins. Alternatively, you can use a Trigger Point Pro Self Massager for this purpose.
What are the benefits of deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massage has many physical and mental benefits to your health and well-being. Besides being a potent, nonmedical pain reliever, deep tissue massage is an effective stress reliever because it lowers cortisol levels and increases a hormone called oxytocin. It can also positively impact systolic and diastolic blood pressure, arthritis symptoms, muscle rehabilitation, prenatal issues, and childbirth. In addition, a regular deep-tissue massage improves flexibility and movement by breaking up scar tissue near joints and major muscle groups. And you can enhance the relaxing effects of deep tissue massage by adding aromatherapy to your service along with a product like Massage FX® Massage Lotion.
What supplies do I need to give a deep tissue massage?
A deep tissue massage supply list is mostly the same as other massage types. You will need a massage table, sheets, towels, stools, table warmers, robes, waiting room furniture, and office supplies. In addition, you might consider a good sound system or an Earthlite® Back Massage Roller. However, the primary difference between a deep tissue massage supply list and other massage types is the formula mix for massage lotion, massage oil, and massage cream. Deep tissue massage is a high-friction massage technique. For this reason, you need a non-greasy lubricant with a minimum glide, like BIOTONE® Deep-Tissue™ Massage Lotion, that gives you total control without limiting workability. Whether you prefer to work with oil, cream, or lotion, we recommend using a lubricant formulated for deep tissue and neuromuscular techniques.
Are deep tissue massages and sports massages the same?
Massage therapists use the same stroke pattern and massage oil type for deep tissue and sports massages. However, they use these two techniques for different purposes. For example, therapists use deep tissue massage to provide therapy over the entire body. Alternatively, they use sports massage when focusing on a specific body area vulnerable to strain or injury from a particular sports activity or repetitive movement.
Sports massage is especially effective for targeting muscle groups prone to stress and tightness from repetitive movements. For this reason, it is highly beneficial for a world-class sprinter or tennis player. It is also more effective for treating soft tissue and muscle injuries over time. On the other hand, deep-tissue massage is the better treatment option for general pain and muscle tension.
What is the difference between Swedish massage and deep tissue massages?
Swedish massage and deep tissue massage have different functions, stroke styles, applied pressure, and focus. To induce relaxation, Swedish massage strokes are fluid with light to medium pressure. And deep tissue massage relieves pain and tightness in broad and targeted strokes with firm pressure. This distinction is why Swedish massage is a low-friction technique, and deep tissue massage requires high friction. As such, they typically work better with massage lotion, oil, or cream that offer the appropriate glide requirements for each technique.