Deep Tissue Massage Therapy
Deep tissue massage therapy isn’t just a Swedish massage with deeper strokes or harder pressure. Deep tissue massages use firm pressure and slow stroked to massage deep layers of muscle and fascia, which is the connective tissue that surrounds your muscles.
Deep tissue massages are used to break up scar tissue and break down muscle adhesions (the “knots” that we feel in our muscles are muscle adhesions, which are bands of rigid and painful muscle tissue). These knots can inhibit our circulation and cause pain and inflammation.
Deep tissue massages have benefits for both your physical and mental health. Any massage will have numerous benefits for the receiver, making them an an easy way to relax and treat your medical issues.
STRESS RELIEF
Deep tissue massage is a great stress reliever. Whether you are experiencing stress at home or at work, getting a massage is a great way to unplug and relax for an extended period of time.
A massage can help lower cortisol levels and increase levels of oxytocin, which is a hormone that relaxes the body and produces soothing effects.
It can also help with physical symptoms of stress, such as tight muscles and shoulders and tension headaches. A deep tissue massage can address these issues and help your body relax.
REDUCES PAIN
There are a number of conditions that deep tissue massage therapy can treat. Chronic pain in the lower back, plantar fasciitis, fibromyalgia, and stiff necks can all be treated with massage therapy.
Muscle tension that usually occurs with chronic pain can also be lessened with deep tissue massage, as it can loosen the tight tissue clusters causing pain.
Research has reported that deep tissue massage is more effective for relieving chronic pain than medication or other medical treatments, and is usually more cost-effective as well.
LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE AND HEART RATE
Deep tissue massage reduces stress and tension, which impacts blood pressure. Massage has positive impacts on systolic, diastolic, and arterial blood pressure. The massage can also increase production of serotonin, which promotes good feelings and happiness.
BREAKS UP SCAR TISSUE & MAKES MOVEMENT EASIER
In areas where people have scar tissue, they often report chronic pain and stiffness.
Getting regular deep tissue massages can help break up this scar tissue by improving lymphatic circulation and drainage to improve flexibility and range of motion in the area of the scar tissue.
Many people who are recovering from surgery are often encouraged to get deep tissue massages to minimize scar tissue.
REDUCES ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS
Deep tissue massage therapy can be used to treat many different symptoms of arthritis, like pain, stiffness, limited range of motion in joints, and sleep issues.
Moderate pressure can reduce arthritis pain and ease tension, making it easier for those with arthritis to move around. It can also help with sleep issues by alleviating pain that may keep arthritis patients awake at night.
REHABILITATES INJURED MUSCLES
If you have injured muscles, a deep tissue massage can help stretch tight or twisted muscles and can also facilitate the movement of toxins from your muscles.
Deep tissue massage therapy is used frequently to treat sports-related injuries. Many athletes are incorporating deep tissue massage into their recovery protocols, as they can help delay the onset of muscle soreness, help with muscle fatigue, and prevent injuries.
Sports Massage Therapy
A sport massage therapist helps to condition the muscles of athletes of all skill levels. These trained health and wellness professionals identify the frequency and types of physical activities of their clients. They use this information to apply the proper massage techniques to various muscle groups. Athletes employ a sports medicine massage therapist to:
condition their muscles prior to sporting events.
help their bodies to recover after strenuous training and athletic performances
Sports medicine massage therapy is helpful for athletes of all abilities.
Swedish Massage Therapy
There are five basic strokes and /or styles in Swedish massage:
- Effleurage (sliding and gliding)
- Petrisage (kneading)
- Tapotement (rhythmic tapping)
- Friction (with fibers or cross-fibers)
- Vibration/Shaking
These five stroke methods are used to relieve anywhere from mild to intense, and the severity of each stroke reflects the amount of tightness held within the muscle to help alleviate:
- Joint stiffness
- Pain reduction
- Osteoarthritis
- Low back pain
- Stress management/reduction
Craniosacral Massage Therapy
Craniosacral therapy is a good options for those suffering from injury recovery / or trauma. A gentle and non-invasive form of massage therapy, a light contact with trigger point areas all along the body through normally focusing on the head , torso, knees, and feet.
Benefits are:
- Alleviate chronic pain
- Decrease headache and / or migraine severity
- Decrease chronic fatigue
- Decrease post-traumatic stress disorder
- Decrease repercussions of trauma (any kind)
- Post -surgical recovery
Myofascial Therapy
Myofascial release describes the breaking down tight fascia. It is more beneficial, however, to receive a trigger point massage therapy to relieve fascia strain:
- Sustained force on an area or gentle and light stretching, depending on the severity of the strain
- Used fingers, knuckles, elbows
- Direct myofascial release therapy, slowly through each fascial layer until the strain is apprehended.
- For indirect myofascial release therapy, both passive and active muscle tensing to gently rid the fascia of any strain.
Trigger Point Massage Therapy
Trigger point therapy is preferred by those with very intense and site-specific pain which is often mistaken for pressure point therapy.
Trigger point therapy focuses on instant relief of intense joint or muscle pain by applying direct pressure with thumb, elbow, or other extremity.
Hot Stone Massage Therapy
Hot Stone Massage Benefits:
- Relaxes muscles, can correct damaged muscles
- Improves circulation without increasing heart load
- Increases range of motion
- Helps obtain a feeling of connectedness
- Relieves pain from muscle tension, fractures, sprains, sciatica, and stiff joints
Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy is for short term pain relief and for increased movement and blood flow. Generally, cupping therapy is caried out by:
- For tight and /or sore area of the body.
- Pressure is applied to the area by suctioning a cup onto the skin.
- Pressure builds in the area as blood ruins to the surface.
- The cup remains on the body for a few minutes, depending on both the size of the cup and the amount of paint the muscle has been causing.
- Sometimes, the practitioner will encourage the patient through a series of movements to further increase blood flow to the affected area.
Post & Prenatal Massage Therapy
Prenatal massage helps pregnant women relieve stress and discomfort in pregnancy. Many pregnant women experience discomfort in the back, neck, and legs. Prenatal massage helps relieve headaches and swelling from increased blood flow. Prenatal massage is especially beneficial later in the pregnancy, as the baby grows and causes strains and discomfort for their mother.
Postpartum massage helps pregnant women relieve stress, stretch marks and improve moods after birth. Having a baby can cause stress and paired with hormones, some new moms may experience intense mood swings. The usual “Baby Blues” can start a few days after delivery and can last a few weeks. In more severe cases, it is considered postpartum depression. With the assistance of medical treatment and therapies (including massage), new moms may be able to ease their depression.
Hormone Regulation – Hormone levels, along with relaxation and stress may be improved when massage therapy is part of a woman’s prenatal and postpartum care.
Reduction of Swelling – Massage therapy stimulates soft tissues and reduces the collection of fluids in swollen joints.
Improvement of Nerve Pain – Massage therapy relieves inflammation of nerves and helps to release tension on the muscles.
Aid the Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems – Prenatal massage improves blood flow to both the mother and the baby.
Improve Mood and Lower Stress Level – Prenatal massage can help reduce headaches and strains on the body.
Medical Massage Therapy
A medical massage are good option for those suffering from medical pains. It is normally met with heaps of controversy, as it typically adopts many different style such as deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, osteopathic techniques, and cranial -sacral technique. Utilized for decongestive therapy, which helps with breast cancer; pain alleviation; and palliative care, or dealing with the issue by focusing on surrounding pain and not the issue itself to:
- Reduced anxiety
- Reduced blood pressure
- Reduced heat rate
- Delayed onset of pain