About deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. This type of massage focuses on the muscles located below the surface of the top muscles. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity (such as athletes), and patients who have sustained physical injury. It is not uncommon for receivers of deep tissue massage to have their pain replaced with a new muscle ache for a day or two.
The origins of deep tissue massage
People in the Far East, as well as ancient Greeks and Egyptians, were the first to discover the benefits of deep tissue massage. Today’s Swedish massage is closest in technique to that used by these ancient civilizations. In the mid-1800s, Canadian physicians first developed the technique. In 1949, the Canadian doctor Therese Phimmer developed guidelines for the technique, which she set forth in her book, “Muscles – Your Invisible Bonds.” From that time forward, deep tissue massage slowly started finding its place in sports medicine and physical therapy as a way to control chronic pain and treat soft tissue injuries.
Benefits of deep tissue massage
Usually, deep tissue massage is recommended for specific problems. As a result, treatment sessions usually focus on affected parts of the body. Some of the benefits to be gained from this form of treatment would be:
Increased blood flow
Therapists apply firm pressure to the muscles using fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows and forearms. This has the effect of increasing blood flow and thereby increasing oxygen supply to the tissues of the body. Increased blood flow also encourages the removal of toxins, such as lactic acid, from strained muscles and subsequently speeds up the healing process. This is beneficial to athletes following a heavy training session, for example.
Elimination of scar tissue
Deep massage therapy also has the added benefit of helping to break up scar tissue and thereby restoring normal movement to muscles. This is helpful to athletes recovering from a sports injury or to individuals who have suffered an accident of some kind.
Improved posture
Many people have poor posture, often as a result of sitting hunched at a desk for long periods. Deep tissue massage can help to improve posture by allowing the body to realign itself. This is because the treatment encourages the relaxation and lengthening of affected muscles and tendons.
Pain relief
During deep massage therapy, exerted pressure can stimulate blood circulation to painful areas and thereby help to relieve pain. Chronic pain suffers, and individuals diagnosed with osteoporosis, fibromyalgia and carpal tunnel syndrome appear to gain some pain relief from this treatment.
Relief of muscular tension due to physical or emotional causes
Those individuals who have chronically stiff necks, backs and shoulder can benefit from deep tissue massage. The techniques used in this treatment, such as slow strokes and the application of deep pressure across the grain of the muscle, encourage the release of chronic muscle tension or spasms. The body is thereby encouraged to return to its’ natural state of alignment.
What a deep tissue massage in Athy consists of
A deep tissue massage consists of slow strokes with heavy pressure. During a deep tissue massage, contracted muscle groups are released as deep finger pressure is applied to the contour of the muscle as well as the surrounding fascia and tendons. The treatment should last an hour, and is always a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
What you need to do
For a deep tissue massage, men are asked to wear briefs or similar so as not to cause embarrassment.
Drinking water before and after your treatment is beneficial.
