Muscle stiffness, neck and back pain and headaches are caused by a number of factors including stress, bad sitting positions, working on a computer for long periods of time, sitting in the same position while traveling by car and excessive fitness training. Apart from stretching, a deep tissue massage can bring relief regardless of whether the affected part is the neck, the back, shoulders, calves or thighs.
What is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. Its primary aim is 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 fibers of the muscles, tendons and fascia.
Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles, not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. It is not uncommon to feel slight pain during or immediately following the massage. For some people the pain occurs the day after.
A deep tissue massage is different from a relaxing massage because the paramount aim is to reduce stiffness and pain in muscles that are already irritable and sensitive. The good news is that if the massage is done correctly, you should begin to feel better than ever within a day or two.
Why Deep Tissue Massage?
This type of massage is very beneficial to health and well-being. When muscles are stressed, oxygen and nutrients are blocked, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, releases toxins from muscles and gets blood and oxygen circulating properly. Many toxins are released during a deep tissue massage therefore it is very important to drink plenty of water afterwards to help eliminate these toxins from the body.
What is the Purpose Behind the Practice?
The purpose of deep tissue massage is to “unstick” the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while at the same time relaxing and soothing the muscle. The practice is two fold- it is both corrective and therapeutic.
What You Must Do
A massage is not a cure-all for every muscle problem. As a client you must do your part as well. You should learn to do specific strengthening of the back muscles, in order to avoid a premature fatigue of the upholding musculature. A shift in posture is also important to help relieve pressure in the spine.