Deep tissue techniques are designed for a more focused massage by targeting specific muscles groups and injured soft tissues.
The therapist will access deeper layers of the soft tissue for maximum muscle relief. As the name clearly reflects, Deep Tissue massage is called that, because it is used to focus on those deep tissue chronic patterns of tension or pain that you experience in your day-to-day life throughout your body.
This form of massage can utilize a variety of techniques from slow strokes in the affected area, to deeper finger, palm, elbow and/or forearm pressure, in order to reach below the surface, down into the grain of muscles, tendons and fascia (that protective layer which surrounds the muscles, joints and bones).
Based on the type of pain and the therapist’s observance of your needs, the therapist will choose to go either with or against the grain, in order to break up stiff muscles or tendons.
Is deep tissue massage effective? We think so! Let’s take a look at yet another important study, this one from the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Remember how we said that Swedish Massage affected blood flow, which in turn affected health and body/muscle functions? Well, this study on deep tissue massage revealed that people’s blood pressure actually fell after a single 45 to 60-minute massage.
In addition, another study published by the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry in 2010 – a meta-analysis – found that “…massage modalities like deep tissue, reduce stress, hormone levels, and heart rate while boosting mood and relaxation, through the triggering and release of oxytocin and serotonin.”.
The basis of deep tissue is to release chronic patterns of tension and pain in the body. The techniques include slow strokes using a deep finger, palm, elbow or forearm pressure on contracted areas. This technique runs across the grain of muscles and tendon.
Other therapies may be combined with this method such as stretching of injured areas, Rehab /Strengthening
protocols as well as cold laser to help maximize pain relief from injuries and accelerate healing.