Deep Tissue Massage
Your Valley Massage OasisDeep Tissue Massage
DEEP TISSUE is the manipulation of the deeper layers of muscle, tendons and fascia to help relieve chronic pain in the body. The massage therapist uses lotion or warm oils and slow, more direct pressure to relax the superficial (top) layer of muscle in order to reach deeper layers of the muscle tissue.
Deep Tissue Massage Pain
Most people believe deep tissue massage must hurt to be effective. During a deep tissue massage, discomfort is normal and will be felt if there are inconsistencies within the tissues. This discomfort can be described as a “good hurt”; the kind that is painful, yet feels good at the same time. On the other hand, the pain can be so intense and uncomfortable that the body cannot tolerate it.
Muscles have a natural reflex to resist pain. When a muscle thinks it is about to be injured, this reflex is triggered. When too much pressure is applied during a massage, the muscle or group of muscles will naturally resist force by tightening further. This is the opposite effect of what a massage is all about, which is to relax and release areas of tension. If the experience of Deep Tissue therapy is too painful, there are certain massage techniques that can be used to create a deeper state of relaxation for the client without intolerable pain.
Depending on the situation, massage therapists may need to modify the massage to stay within the client’s comfort level and pain tolerance at all times. If a person is unable to handle a high amount of deep pressure, it may take multiple treatments to achieve the same results than someone with a very high threshold for pain.
Benefits of Deep Tissue
Some people simply enjoy the sensation of deeper pressure to their muscles while others prefer a more gentle touch. Most people get a deep tissue massage to help relieve chronic aches and pains. For some people, deep tissue massage helps to alleviate symptoms like headaches and migraines due to a stiff neck and achy muscles in upper back, shoulders and arms. Others experience releasing of tension in the hips, minimizing lower back pain and the loosening tight muscles in their legs. Deep Tissue work can also help to correct physical structure and alleviate chronic problems created by postural imbalances. Other important benefits include: breaking up scar tissue, improving blood pressure, helping to detoxify the body, and rehabilitate injured muscles. Slow deep pressure is extremely therapeutic and can help in reducing physical and emotional stress. It is not uncommon for a client to experience a very deep state of relaxation during a deep tissue massage.
At massage ESCAPES, we do not recommend you choose a deep tissue massage for your very first massage experience. In some instances, it may not be recommended at all. As always, it is important that you discuss your symptoms and your medical history with your therapist in the event that Deep Tissue Therapy would be contraindicated to your health and should not be done.
Remember, everyone has a different level of comfort and tolerance for pain and while deep tissue can be therapeutic, you should not tolerate more pain than you can reasonably bear.