Deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of muscle and fascia through firm pressure and slow strokes. Many people may find the term intimidating, especially if you are not familiar with massage techniques. Your therapist will explain that it’s different from the typical massage, especially when it comes to pressure. But at the one of the day, it is the perfect massage treatment to treat strains and sports injuries.
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy to treat musculoskeletal issues. One of its magic is to realign a deeper layer of muscles and connective tissues. When you feel chronic aches and pains like stiff neck and sore shoulders, this is the massage treatment for you. That is its main difference from other types of massage that solely focus on relaxation.
One of the most instant benefits of deep tissue massage is relief from back and neck pain. During the warming up of muscles, you’ll feel rejuvenated after the slow application of pressure from the neck down to your waist.
This massage can help solve our postural problems, especially those who are sitting in front of their computer all day. Your tissues at the shoulder front and hips tighten because of this position, affecting your posture.
After working out without proper warm-up, scar tissue and knots usually form because of muscle overuse. During deep tissue massage, your therapist will apply more pressure to break down these muscle issues and improve stiffness.
This type of massage can help release muscle stiffness, adhesions, and scarring, improve flexibility as well as fix trigger points. All of which are important to avoid injuries, especially for athletes.
From warming up to the actual execution of deep tissue massage, more negative energies will be released. At our most relaxed state, we can start recovering from our anxiety and will have a more positive outlook to move on with life.
The answer always depends on where you are getting your massage from. The goal of every therapist is to make the client comfortable. But sometimes, because of the amount of pressure involved to treat the injuries and stiff muscles, it can hurt a bit.
Excellent deep tissue massage therapists, like here at Zen Day Spa will find a way to make it bearable. They do this by accessing the tissue slowly and approach the deeper layers. The sole jell theory can explain this, as it aims to almost liquify your tissues. In contrast to massaging your tissue quickly, chances of bodies to feel the pain and resist are possible. Lastly, it is a must for your therapist to check in with you about the kind of pressure your body can take.
Conducting this type of massage has different steps. Since this is considered a separate category compared to other therapeutic massages, it is essential to keep in mind the following:
Coming to your favourite day Spa in Sydney, you should be ready to discuss with your therapist about your specific requests and concerns. Both parties must have an agreement about the process before the massage begins. At times, the patient must sign an “Informed Consent” because it is considered a legal requirement.
After making sure the patient is relaxed, the therapist will use a small amount of oil and slowly apply pressure down the back towards the waist. The first few strokes will help warm up the muscles.
When the muscles start to relax, it’s time to apply this technique of pressing out or going along with the fingers using thumbs, knuckles, forearms, or elbows. A part of the therapy that will prepare your muscles for the final step which is friction.
The last where you can feel the pressure applied to realign your muscles and fascia. It is known to connect all connective tissues including muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and blood. This will help ease chronic pain and prevent further injuries.
To start, it is advisable during your massage session to communicate with your therapist once the sensation is uncomfortable. As this type of massage may cause discomfort since the plan to release the trigger points deep in your body’s connective tissues.
Though this is perfectly normal due to the intensity, it is better to warn your patients as a therapist about this possibility. The bruising will lighten in the next few hours or days until it finally goes away.
When too much pressure is applied, the tendency of having sore and stiff muscles. But again, this is just normal and should reduce over the next 1-2 days. No need to panic! The best way to heal quickly is to drink lots of water because it can help lubricate our sore muscles.
Important Note: Please avoid Deep Tissue massage if you experience blood clots and prone to fractures. It is advisable to consult your doctor first before booking at your nearest day spa.
These two types of massage therapies are always placed side by side because they use very similar strokes. But what makes one different from the other. One of the most obvious differences is pressure. Swedish Massage is more on the gentler side, while Deep Tissue Massage applies increased pressure.
Another notable difference between the two is their targets – deep tissue massage focuses on the inner layers of the muscles while Swedish Massage is more on the superficial layers of the muscles such as shoulders, neck and the back.
If you want to treat chronic pain muscles, sports-related injuries, stiffness in your joints and tendon injuries, deep tissue massage is perfect for you! While if you prefer to de-stress or rejuvenate, relax your tensioned muscles, then choose a Swedish Massage.
Deep tissue massage and Swedish massage are two different types of massage therapy. Both use some of the same strokes, but they have different uses and vary greatly when it comes to the amount of pressure used.
When we talk about deep tissue massage, the pressure always comes to mind. It’s deeper compared to the other type of massages as it aims to ease muscle tension and relieve pain. When you have overworked muscles and the kind of person who participates in high-pressure physical activities, this is for you. To keep your recovery on track, here are things you must do after a deep tissue massage.
Drinking water has tons of benefits, and it does include a quicker healing process for every deep tissue massage client. After the said treatment, you’ll feel a sense of relief because you’ll no longer feel the pain of tight muscles and knots. To avoid injuries, drinking lots of water can limit inflammation. It can also speed up the flush of toxins left in the body after the treatment. Our blood also needs to bring oxygen and nutrients to our muscles, tissues, and organs. When this happens, our bodies can recover fast, and you’ll be back functioning normally as soon as possible.
Who doesn’t want to relax? We are not supermen nor superwomen. At some point in our lives, we also deserve some rest, especially after a deep tissue massage. Learn to listen to your body. Don’t take part in any intense physical activity. With muscles being lengthened and worked, you will be at risk of injury.
It is advisable to schedule your appointment on a Saturday. You can also schedule one where you can relax the entire next day. Lie on the couch, read a book, watch your favourite TV shows or series. Or do anything that can help you prolong the calm feeling. Relaxing can aid a faster healing process. Your body will be at its best in a long time, and when you do this, ready to conquer all your responsibilities.
Learn to listen to your body. Don’t take part in any intense physical activity. With muscles being lengthened and worked, you will be at risk of injury.
If you are into a nice warm bath, you can incorporate this habit after having a deep tissue massage. As we all know, our body needs water to stay hydrated internally and externally. To avoid any soreness brought by the treatment, you can add Epsom salts and essential oils to your warm water. People use Epsom salts to prevent swelling and speed the healing process. You can find this all over the supermarket. You won’t regret doing this as it can open your blood vessels, helping to increase your circulation.
Another thing you can do after a deep tissue massage is to apply to ask when swelling still exists. Our bodies respond differently. There are situations where some people have trouble with inflammation. By using a cold pack wrapped in cloth, you can apply it to the inflamed area. Please make sure to have an interval of 10 minutes of applying and removing it. You should avoid leaving the pack there for a long time because it will open the blood vessels to encourage blood flow.
Some people may feel hungry after a massage. You can have a snack, but make sure it’s not a heavy meal or anything junk. Aside from it not the nutrients our body needs, it can make you uncomfortable. Hours after a massage, who does not want to continue relaxing at home? Hence, it is advisable to have a snack if you feel hungry and lightheaded. After all, our body needs a fuel boost, but not so much that it can make you feel uneasy.
Soreness is inevitable after a deep tissue massage. To avoid worsening the situation one must know to avoid the following activities and behaviour.
Limit your physical movements if you want the healing process to be quicker. You are in a delicate state with all the kneading to remove your knots. If you are one of those people who loves to exercise, why not allot the day after the massage as your rest day. Then kill it with your routine the next day. In short, please avoid strenuous exercising, running, dancing, and sudden movements.
During your massage, toxins or acids come to the surface. Only warm water can help plush these toxins away. When you drink alcohol or coffee, it reverses the effects of deep tissue massage. According to healthline.com, you can also have other options such as coconut water, fresh fruit or vegetable juice, or herbal teas.
Deep Tissue Massage in Sydney is slowly becoming a popular treatment. More and more day spas are now offering this type of massage. We explained every detail needed for you to understand this treatment. Do you think this is the right massage therapy for you? Contact us, and we will have a team that will explain this further. Our therapist will make sure that this is the perfect treatment for you before you avail of it.
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