Our bodies go through a lot. Living an active lifestyle is important, but it takes a toll over time and can leave our muscles and fascia with pain and soreness. That’s when we might reach for external support, perhaps in the form of a massage. One form of massage that we’ve all heard of, but can sound a little intimidating, is deep tissue massage.
But what is a deep tissue massage really? While many massages are focused mostly on pampering and relaxation, such as Lomi Lomi or Swedish technique, deep tissue massage is more about actively restoring the tight or knotted parts of your body. This article will explore how the targeted approach of deep tissue massage works, while also elaborating on the benefits of this therapy.
How deep tissue massage works
Deep tissue back massage is a technique focused on slow, deliberate strokes that use a lot of pressure coming from the hands, fingers, forearms and elbows. It’s not just about sensually rubbing some oil on the client’s back. It is performed this way to impart benefits to the deeper layers of muscle.
The primary focus is to break up knots or adhesions in the muscles. When muscles get knotted with rigid muscle tissue, it can be very painful and block circulation, leading to serious inflammation. This can result in difficulty moving and long-term soreness. Breaking them down with deep tissue treatment should help to restore movement and reduce chronic pain.
Primary benefits of deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massage benefits are primarily focused on the reduction of pain to help people to move around more naturally.
- These massages can help with the management of chronic, recurring pains in the lower back, neck and shoulders, especially
- Postural problems are common in the deskbound era, and deep tissue massage can help to manage them
- Loosening the muscles through these massages can increase the body’s mobility
- Deep tissue treatment is great for helping scar tissue recover from older injuries
Keeping these benefits in mind is important when considering if a deep tissue massage is gonna be right for you.
Understanding the difference between ‘good hurt’ and real pain
It’s worth noting that deep tissue massage can feel a little bit painful, but there’s no need to have real pain as an expectation. Yes, the pressure can be a little intense, but you should never experience serious discomfort or injury-esque pain. You do have to submit to the experience, but it also has to come from a trained professional who isn’t going to do any further damage.
The necessary aftercare for deep tissue massage
The experience of deep tissue massage is the therapist resetting your muscles and your fascia. That means it’s not unlikely that you might feel a little sore for the next 24 to 48 hours, much like you would after a big workout. That’s why it’s important to take it relatively easy while recovering from the massage, as well as drinking lots of water as a means of flushing out any metabolic waste from your muscles.
Proper aftercare will set you up to experience the maximum benefits of your deep tissue treatment.
Why you should book a deep tissue massage
As you can see, deep tissue massage can have significant benefits, but it’s not necessarily for everyone. You should only really book this treatment for yourself if you’re suffering from chronic pains, a sports-related injury (not recent) or some mobility niggles. On the other hand, it’s not wise to book one if you live with blood clotting disorders, have had a serious recent injury or surgery, certain skin conditions or circulatory issues.
With this guidance, you should understand perfectly how to approach the world of deep tissue massage.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
