Deep Tissue Massage
What is a Deep Tissue Massage?
The name says it all. This type of massage involves slower, more forceful techniques to target the deep layers of muscle and connective tissue. Deep tissue massage is a therapy intended to treat chronic muscle tension and release the tension that lies deep inside. By applying the right amount of pressure in the right locations, the therapist can treat all the different layers of muscle, tendons, tissues and work out any kinks, knots or stressed areas. Although this technique uses more pressure than others, it does not need to be painful to be effective. Let your therapist know of any pain or discomfort you might experience. At the same time be prepared for some deep therapeutic and relaxing pressures.
What Are the Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage?
Why does deep tissue massage work so well? Because it includes enough pressure to loosen up muscles and tissues that have been overworked, strained and bunched together from your activities. As long as these tissues remain tight they will trigger discomfort, spasms and even injury. Massage is a great way to help with such common problems as plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow, cramping calves and other strains or injuries. It can also help break up scar tissue and promote healing and reduce chances of relapses in muscles after surgeries or injuries. The slow, deliberate and deep pressures used by the therapist will promote increased blood flow and decrease stress in the affected muscles and tissues. Blood pressure will decrease and your stress and anxiety just seems to melt away. Overall there are many areas that can be improved and helped with a good massage by a licensed and professionally trained therapist. They include:
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Soft tissue injuries
- Sports injuries
- Joint pain
- Headaches
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Frozen shoulder
- Fibromyalgia
- Digestive issues
- Myofascial pain
Will It Be Painful?
It is definitely going to feel a bit more intense than a Swedish massage. The session will involve some “deep tissue” techniques just as the name implies. However, you should always communicate with your therapist. If the pressure gets too hard, speak up. Your therapist’s goal is to bring relief to those deep tissues. As you work on relaxing and keeping your therapist informed, you can avoid tensing up or guarding the involved muscles and the result will astound you.
What Do I Do After?
Once your session is complete it will be important for you to drink plenty of water to provide enough liquids to help your body flush out the lactic acid that has built up in your tissues. Drink several more glasses of water than normal after your massage. It will also reduce the likelihood of residual aches or soreness the following day. Yes, you may actually feel a bit sore the next day after a deep tissue massage experience—particularly if you have been tight for a long while or especially stressed prior to your session. Any such soreness will go away within a day or so.
What Results Will I See?
Be realistic. Just one good deep tissue massage therapy will feel wonderful and relaxing. However, in just one session will you be rid of all the tension or tightness or problems you have developed over the prior months or years? Remember that problems accumulated over months and years of stress, strain, poor habits, etc. will likely not magically vanish overnight. Just asking the therapist to push harder thinking that the results will fix everything in just an hour session is not realistic. Yes, one session will work wonders and you will leave feeling like a new person. But if you have chronic issues or problems it will more than likely take a combination of many factors to alleviate them including massage, exercise, and stress reducing techniques. Call us at 801-288-1118 to schedule your appointment and come see us at J Massage to start your healing journey. You can find our prices here.