What is deep tissue massage and what does it involve?
There are so many kinds of different massages nowadays that it can be hard to keep track of them all. Let alone being informed about the difference between them and their various benefits.
One style of massage that treats muscle soreness, as compared to other forms of massage that target superficial body regions, is deep tissue. This type of massage employs firm pressure and slow strokes to massage deep layers of muscle and fascia.
Deep tissue massage also breaks up scar tissue and breaks down muscle adhesions. These are the ‘knots’ that we feel in our muscles made out of bands of rigid and painful muscle tissue.
At the beginning of a deep tissue massage, most therapists will start with a lighter pressure to warm up your muscles and then continue on to use deeper pressure. A common technique used in this type of massage therapy is ‘stripping’, which is when deep pressure glides along the length of your muscle fibres. This friction applies pressure across the grain of your muscle, breaking up adhesions and aligning tissue fibres.
The benefits of deep tissue massage include:
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Stress relief
Receiving a massage is a great way to reduce stress as it can help lower cortisol levels and increase oxytocin. Oxytocin is the hormone that relaxes the body and produces soothing effects. Your physical symptoms of stress, tight muscles and shoulders, and tension headaches are also lessened through the use of deep tissue massage.
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Reduces pain
Deep tissue massage can treat chronic pain in the lower back, plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, and a stiff neck. Chronic pain is usually accompanied by muscle tension which can be reduced by deep tissue massage. It loosens the tight tissue clusters that cause pain. Receiving a deep tissue massage can even be more effective when it comes to relieving chronic pain than medication and other medical treatments.
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Lowers your blood pressure and heart rate
This form of massage also reduces stress and tension, as well as having positive impacts on systolic, diastolic, and arterial blood pressure.
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Breaks up scar tissue, making movement easier
Receiving regular deep tissue massages can break up scar tissue by improving lymphatic circulation and drainage which improves flexibility and range of motion in the area. Are you recovering from surgery? Deep tissue massages to help decrease scar tissue.
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Reduces arthritis symptoms
Many symptoms of arthritis include pain, stiffness, limited range of motion in joints, and sleep issues. These can all be treated by deep tissue massage therapy. Applying moderate pressure can reduce arthritis pain and ease tension. The result can be improved mobility and motion.
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Rehabilitates injured muscles
Deep tissue massage is helpful especially when you have injured muscles as it can help stretch tight or twisted muscles, as well as facilitate the movement of toxins from your muscles. Many athletes with sports-related injuries have started to incorporate deep tissue massage into their recovery process as it can delay the onset of muscle soreness, helps with muscle fatigue, and prevents injuries.
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Helps with labour and delivery
Women have reported that deep tissue massages have helped them control their pain levels during labour. Prenatal massages encourage pregnant women to relax and ease their tight muscles. These massages also provide a decrease in cortisol that helps to minimise depression, anxiety, and leg and back pain.
Research also suggests that women who received regular massages found that their labour was less painful and shorter. Whereas women who had not received any form of massage during pregnancy experienced a more painful and longer labour.
Get these benefits with Tara Massage!
All you have to do to enact such brilliant benefits in your life is book in at Tara Massage. We pride ourselves on offering the best massage Perth based services! We’re unlike other massage establishmentsbecause we allow our clients to mix and match their massage styles. For instance, if you would like a combination of Thai and deep tissue massage, we are more than happy to accommodate you.
Look no further for a gift for your loved ones! We supply massage vouchers as the perfect present for a friend or family member that deserves some time to relax and unwind. Be assured that your nearest and dearest will be taken care of and heard. Tara Massage’s therapists conduct a consultation with each client prior to their massage. We discuss every client’s pain points to either focus on or avoid.
The Tara Massage loyalty program is also a bonus that provides clients with 20% off after five visits. You then receive a free 30 minutes after your tenth session.
Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding deep tissue or any other style of massage. We can’t wait to see you at your next appointment!
