Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage uses sustained pressure and slow strokes to target deeper layers of muscle and fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). It breaks up adhesions or ‘knots’ that form in the muscular tissue, reducing pain and improving flexibility.
It’s normal to feel some discomfort during this treatment, but your therapist will adjust the pressure to ensure comfort. It is recommended for chronic muscle tension, neck and back pain, and poor posture. Visit https://www.flowstate918.com/ to learn more.
1. Relief from Pain
Deep Tissue Massage helps alleviate pain by releasing the tension in the deeper layers of muscle tissue and fascia, the connective tissue that surrounds muscles, bones and joints. It can also break up and remove adhesions, which are bands of scar tissue that create restrictions in the muscles and joints. It works by targeting the areas of chronic pain and stiffness, like a stiff neck or lower back. It can help with headaches, as well as reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety, by reducing cortisol levels in the body.
The manipulation of the soft tissues and muscles often causes muscle soreness after a deep tissue massage, this is similar to DOMS (delayed onset of muscle soreness). This soreness should be mild and subside within a few days. It’s a good idea to drink plenty of water after a massage, as this will aid in the recovery process by flushing out any toxins.
It’s not uncommon to feel a little nauseous after a deep tissue massage, as it can be due to the release of toxins in the body. It’s important to drink plenty of water, relax and take it easy for a few days after the treatment.
A lot of people experience aches and pains in their neck, shoulders and head on a regular basis. This can be caused by a lot of things, including work related stress, family life and even poor posture. Deep Tissue Massage can help relieve this tension and improve range of motion, promoting overall relaxation and a healthy mind and body.
It can help with fatigue by increasing the levels of serotonin, which helps the brain sleep better and reduces feelings of stress. It can also combat insomnia, as it increases the body’s production of the hormone that assists with REM sleep.
2. Improved Circulation
Deep Tissue Massage is known for its ability to relax and release tension in the deeper layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia. It can also help improve circulation, which reduces pain and stiffness, increases flexibility, and promotes healing.
Aside from relieving aches and pains, improving circulation can also help reduce stress and enhance your overall health. The increased blood flow delivers oxygen and nutrients to your cells, and it helps remove waste products from the body. In addition, a 2014 study found that even one session of massage significantly reduced both the diastolic and systolic blood pressure readings in participants.
In addition, regular massages can increase lung capacity and reduce symptoms of respiratory diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. They can also alleviate gastrointestinal problems, such as constipation and abdominal pain. Moreover, massage can also relieve headaches and migraines, alleviate the effects of depression and anxiety, lower the heart rate, ease breathing during labor and delivery, and improve the results of physical therapy sessions for patients with musculoskeletal conditions, such as myofascial pain syndrome.
While deep tissue massage shares similar techniques to neuromuscular massage and Swedish massage, its main focus is on the deeper layers of muscles, tendons, and fascia. It is also a common treatment for sports injuries and can be used to break down scar tissue after surgery and injury.
Those looking to reap the benefits of deep tissue massage should make sure they choose a licensed massage therapist with experience in treating musculoskeletal injuries. They should also consider discussing their medical history with the massage therapist, as well as their preferred pressure and any areas of concern. A good massage therapist will listen to their clients and adapt the session to suit their needs.
3. Increased Flexibility
Deep Tissue Massage targets the deep connective tissue (fascia) that surrounds and envelops muscles. It can release tension in the fascia, which can lead to increased flexibility and decreased muscle tightness. This is especially true for an active person with an injury or chronic pain problem.
A great benefit of this therapeutic bodywork is that it stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which improves circulation and reduces blood pressure. It also helps heal injuries and promotes overall wellness by stimulating the production of natural endorphins.
For individuals with limited mobility or stiffness, regular sessions can reduce the inflammatory response and restore movement in the affected area. In addition, this type of therapeutic massage is a fantastic way to promote good posture and improve alignment to reduce stress on the spine and joints.
It can also help increase the elasticity of muscles by releasing the tension and reducing adhesions in the tissues. A good example is the treatment called myofascial release, which focuses on alleviating fascial restrictions while promoting strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
A great thing about deep tissue massage is that it can be tailored to meet each client’s specific needs. Having open communication and a clear understanding of the pain and tension that a client experiences allows therapists to provide a targeted approach with safe and effective results. Some clients may experience soreness for a few days after receiving this type of therapeutic bodywork, but it is a great option for improving health and well-being.
4. Increased Energy
The sustained, deep pressure used in a deep tissue massage helps to release muscle spasms, increase flexibility and range of motion and decrease pain, stiffness and swelling. It also increases the flow of blood and lymph, providing oxygen and nutrients to tissues and cells while removing toxins.
However, it is important for a therapist to understand each client’s unique health needs and tolerance for massage pressure before beginning the session. The therapist should use slow strokes and gradually build up the intensity of pressure to avoid overexerting themselves or their clients, and they should monitor the rate at which the client’s body responds. It is also a good idea to communicate with the client during a session to ensure that the pressure level remains comfortable.
It is common to feel sore in the days following a deep tissue massage, particularly from techniques such as deep muscle stripping and myofascial release that cause stiffness or bruising. This is normal and a result of the tight muscles being released, but it’s important to remind clients that this discomfort is a positive sign of progress and that they should be patient with their healing process.
Aside from the physical benefits of deep tissue massage, it’s been found to reduce stress and promote relaxation by stimulating the production of oxytocin and serotonin, which leads to an improvement in mood and a reduction in anxiety levels. This, in turn, improves sleep and energy levels. Moreover, it has been found to lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as heart rate. Consequently, regular deep tissue massages can help to reduce the risk of heart-related diseases. In addition, it has been found to reduce the symptoms of chronic headaches.
5. Improved Sleep
The reduced stress and pain that come with massage may help individuals with sleep disorders. In addition, the increased serotonin levels associated with massage therapy (a precursor to the sleep hormone melatonin) can help reset the body’s natural sleep and wake cycles. Additionally, the improved posture and decreased muscle tension that comes with massage can help individuals who suffer from nagging back pain to get a better night’s rest.
Insomnia, a common sleep disorder, can be caused by numerous factors, including anxiety, depression and pain. According to research, massage has been found to relieve symptoms of insomnia, making it easier for people to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. The relaxing effects of massage also make it more likely that people will wake up feeling refreshed and alert instead of groggy and tired, improving their overall quality of life.
Massage has also been shown to increase the number of hours that individuals are able to sleep, particularly in those suffering from fibromyalgia and lower back pain. Therapeutic massage stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, countering the effects of the sympathetic nervous system that can interfere with sleep. In addition, massage can alleviate symptoms of restless leg syndrome that can cause an uncontrollable urge to move the legs while sleeping.
The improved mood and relaxation that come with a massage can help alleviate emotional issues that can interfere with sleep, such as anxiety or depression. Moreover, the release of endorphins, a chemical in the brain that acts as a natural sedative, can also lead to improved sleep. In addition, regular massages are associated with reduced blood pressure, which can also lead to better sleep.