Last Updated on February 15, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
If you are suffering from musculoskeletal issues, chronic pain, limited mobility, sports injuries or strains in your body, go for a Deep Tissue Massage.
The specialised kneading techniques involved in this massage will give you lasting relief. Deep Tissue Massage comprises slow and deep strokes with sustained pressure on the inner layers of muscles and connective tissues.
The constant pressure works by breaking up the formation of scar tissue caused after an injury. It also lowers tension in muscle and tissue and enhances blood flow to promote quick healing and reduced inflammation.
Let’s now move on to the benefits of this holistic and soothing massage.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
When we talk about the benefits of this ancient rubbing technique, they are many. Moreover, its benefits are physical as well as psychological. Compared to other leading massage techniques that result in relaxation only, Deep Tissue Massage provides mental relaxation and works to reduce muscle pain and stiffness.
A study conducted in 2014 involving 59 patients shows that this massage, when done by an expert, has proven efficacy for people suffering from chronic lower back pain. The experts claimed that the effects of this rubbing technique are comparable to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.
Apart from these, experts and people have also found it helpful in issues like:
- High BP
- Sports-related injuries
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Tennis Elbow
- Sciatica
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Fibromyalgia
- carpal tunnel syndrome
How it goes?
Before commencing, your St George massage therapist would like to ask about the problematic areas in your body. The good thing about Deep Tissue Massage is that it is as effective on the entire body as on just one area.
After the initial consultation, they will ask you to lie on your back or stomach on a massage table or a sheet. Undress or not completely depends on you. However, the area to be treated will be kept exposed.
The therapist will begin with lighter touches to warm your muscles. Once done, they’ll focus on the problematic areas; which require relief. While working on the troublesome areas, the pressure used by them will vary from light to intense, mostly strong and focused.
They will be applying deep kneading and stroking movements using different body parts like elbows, forearms, fingertips, hands, palms, and knuckles to loosen the adhesions.
Side effects of Deep Tissue Massage
After a Deep Tissue Massage session, you may have to bear some soreness or slight pain for a few days, which will subside, and there’s nothing to worry about. Your massage therapist may suggest you use a heating pad or an ice-cold pack to lower the soreness.
Most massage techniques are usually safe and don’t come with side effects. However, the firm pressure involved in this massage type may not be for everyone so, it is better to consult a therapist and tell them everything about an underlying pain, injury or skin sensitivity.
Here are the conditions that you should tell your therapist about:
- If you’re suffering from blood clotting disorder or have a history of clots
- You are taking blood thinners
- If you’re suffering from a bleeding disorder
- Suffering from cancer or going through chemotherapy or radiation for treating cancer
Who should not go for Deep Tissue Massage?
If you’re suffering from serious ailments like osteoporosis or a type of cancer that’s affecting your bones, we suggest you not go for it. Why? Because the firm pressure involved in this treatment may result in a fracture or any other serious problem.
If you have an open wound or have suffered from any skin infection, Deep Tissue Massage should be avoided as it can worsen the existing one or result in a new infection.
Another condition in which Deep Tissue Massage must be abnegated at all costs is pregnancy. During pregnancy, Swedish Massage, which involves gentle strokes and rubbing, is the right option. Still, you need to consult an experienced therapist before going ahead.
Deep Tissue Vs Swedish Massage
When compared to Swedish Massage, Deep Tissue Massage is quite different. Although some of the strokes used in both therapies are the same, both therapies serve different purposes. The main difference between the two is the amount of pressure applied.
Let’s tell you some key differences between Deep Tissue Massage and Swedish Massage.
| Purpose | The main purpose of Deep Tissue Massage is to treat muscle tension, sports-related injuries and chronic pain. | Swedish Massage brings about relaxation and lowers muscle tension in the body due to everyday activities. |
| Amount of pressure | Deep Tissue Massage involves varying pressure, mostly intense. | The gentler of the two, Swedish Massage, involves less tension. |
| Use of body parts | The therapist may use elbows, forearms, knuckles and hands for kneading and manipulating tissues by using increased pressure. | It mostly involves the pressure applied via fingertips, hands and palms. |
| Area of focus | Deep Tissue Massage is aimed at the inner layers of the muscles. | Swedish massage is known to be effective for superficial layers of muscles. |
| What does it treat? | With the help of Deep Tissue Massage, the therapist treats muscles, tendons, sports injuries, major muscle groups and joints. | Swedish Massage is found useful for body parts that are strained, like the neck, shoulders and back. |
Simply saying, Deep Tissue Massage is for those who are involved in strenuous activities like lifting or running. Moreover, people suffering from chronic pain or an injury also find relief in it. It is good to talk to your doctor before going for a Deep Tissue Massage. On the other hand, Swedish Massage is the solution if you’re looking to get rid of muscle tension and your pain threshold is low.
The best therapist in London
If you’re searching for a highly experienced massage therapist who is knowledgeable of all intricacies involved in the process, contact Expert. Using this ancient kneading technique, Expert’s massage therapists will help you say goodbye to back & neck pain, improve your body posture, enjoy enhanced mobility and quick recovery from an injury.
Our therapists use specialised and exquisite touches based on their knowledge to give you quick and max benefits using this amazing technique.
Apart from this, if you are interested to know more about Does deep tissue massage hurt then visit our Lifestyle category.
