Do I Need A Deep TissuE Massage?
What Exactly Does “Deep Tissue Massage” Mean?
Deep tissue massage is an informal term for “intense massage”. The term has no specific medical meaning, so what it means will vary from one massage therapist to the next, as well as from patient to patient. In practice, deep tissue massage mostly just means “strong massage,” and uses very firm pressure.
Who is Deep Tissue Massage Best For?
Generally speaking, deep tissue massage is best suited for people who engage in highly physical activities, such as running, or those who have an injury or chronic pain. Deep tissue massage is a massage technique that’s mainly used to target deeper structures of muscles and fascia. It involves applying sustained pressure using slow, deep strokes to target the inner layers of the muscles and connective tissues. This helps to break up scar tissue that forms following an injury, and reduces tension in muscle and tissue.
Pressure and Pain Tolerance
The level of pressure that someone can tolerate in a massage varies widely. Pressure that would be quite comfortable for one person can cause severe pain and emotional distress in another, and even injury. These differences can occur between different areas of the body, as well. Pressures that worked well on the back could be extremely painful and intense on another body part. Pressure tolerance can also change with time: pressures that seemed fine on Tuesday can be brutal on Friday. A full-body deep tissue massage can actually be distressing to some clients, causing rather than alleviating pain in the muscles by inflaming the tissues. It can also be difficult physically for therapists, who have to maintain a long career for years to come. Remember, not everything that hurts is therapeutic!
Trust Your Massage Therapist
Because the term “deep tissue” is somewhat unclear, and pressure tolerance differs from person to person, a much more effective way to have a great massage experience is to communicate clearly with a licensed massage therapist that you trust. If you have an experienced massage therapist, they will ask you a variety of questions to understand exactly what your problem areas are and which techniques will give you the most relief.
Your massage therapist will know the perfect amount of pressure to help your body start healing and releasing tension on its own. Therapists learn different techniques to effectively decrease your pain, relieve tension, help you relax, and reduce stress without compromising your body or their own. The true test of a good massage is whether you feel better than when you came in for your visit or started your treatments. Ask yourself over time, are your massage treatments helping your pain?
Relief May Take Time
It's also important to remember that achieving lasting relief takes time. Your body didn't get to this point within a matter of days, so it may take multiple regular sessions at first and then a monthly maintenance appointment to maintain your results.
Prepare For Your First Massage Appointment
Review and complete the forms for your first massage appointment here.