Deep Tissue Massage - when is it what you need?

As the popularity of massage treatment continues to grow in Canada, in addition to having heard about Swedish Massage, which stands as the most popular, you may also have heard of Deep Tissue Massage.

This massage therapy focuses on realigning the deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue, and is particularly beneficial in response to tight and tense muscles resulting from sprains, strains and sports injuries, or over-worked areas of the body such as stiff necks, lower back tightness, sore shoulders or legs.

Before your massage begins, it is important to discuss the focus of your treatment with your massage therapist. Your Deep Tissue Massage can involve your entire body, or focus on just one problem area.

And during the course of this massage treatment it is also important to let your massage therapist know if the pressure which is being applied is too intense, or too light.

As the Healthline Newsletter explains, the techniques involved in a Deep Tissue Massage see the application of a sustained amount of pressure through the use of slow, deep strokes - targeting the inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues. This massage technique assists with breaking up the scar tissue that forms following an injury, and also reduces the tension in the muscles and surrounding tissue.

While some of these same strokes are used in Swedish Massage Therapy, in Deep Tissue Massage the movement is somewhat slower, and the pressure which is applied is deeper, and always focuses on the areas of tension.

It is thought that this treatment may further promote faster healing because it increases blood flow to the affected area, while at the same time reducing inflammation.

People who have found themselves to have benefited from Deep Tissue Massage, according to the Healthline Newsletter include individuals with:

• sports injuries
• fibromyalgia
• plantar fasciitis
• high blood pressure
• sciatica
• tennis elbow

Want to find out just a bit more about Deep Tissue Massage? The perfect time for a consult massage therapy treatment is on Tuesday or Wednesday mornings.