Therapies: Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons and fascia.

Deep tissue techniques are generally designed for more focused massage work. Working a specific joint, muscle or muscle group, the practitioner can access deeper layers of the soft tissue. When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. The purpose of deep tissue massage is to "unstick" the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic

Generally therapists start working on the muscle superficially easing into the depth of the muscle slowly as this often allows more movement. This approach is used because each person experiences pressure differently. If the pressure is applied too deeply or too quickly, the muscle may tighten to protect that area.

A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, this generally will last no more than a day or two and after this initial soreness the whole area will feel better, more mobile and comfortable than before.

< Back to Therapies Index