Deep Tissue Massage focuses on realigning connective tissue and the deeper layers of muscles. It is particularly helpful for chronically tense and contracted parts of the body including sore shoulders, stiff necks and lower back tightness.
While Deep Tissue Massage utilizes many of the same strokes that are used as more traditional massage therapy, such as Swedish Massage, the pressure is deeper, the movement is slower and the process concentrates on areas of pain and tension. In cases of chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (which are bands of rigid, painful tissue) found in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These adhesions tend to block circulation causing pain, inflammation and limited movement.
Deep Tissue Massage is effective because it physically breaks down these adhesions which relieves pain and restores normal movement. To accomplish this result, the massage therapist will quite often use friction or direct deep pressure applied across the grain of the muscles.
Traditional massage therapy is typically used for relaxation, but the purpose behind Deep Tissue Massage generally involves focus on a specific problem, such as:
- Chronic pain
- Limited mobility
- Recovery from injuries (whiplash, falls, sports injury)
- Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
- Postural problems
- Osteoarthritis pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Muscle tension or spasm