What is a Deep Tissue Massage

This blog provides useful information to help you better understand deep tissue massages. I'll explore some common misconceptions about deep-tissue massage, delve into the key differences between deep-tissue and Swedish massage, and offer some tips on how often you should get one. So, sit back, relax, and let me guide you through the world of deep-tissue massage.

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What is a Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep tissue therapeutic massage is very helpful for active teens and adults. It will reduce pain, soreness, and stiffness in overused muscles and bring relaxation to the patient for mental clarity and overall well-being. Deep tissue massage therapy brings healing to many sports injuries and soft tissue dysfunctions because of repetitive overuse.

Deep tissue massage also is helpful and can treat conditions caused by posture misalignments such as forward head posture, forward shoulder posture, low back pain caused by sitting for hours, kyphosis, lordosis, lateral hip posture, medial hip posture, knocked knees, and so many more. All these postural misalignments can be treated with deep tissue massage therapy and proper muscle strength training, functional movement exercises, and home care from your therapist.

The difference between Swedish and Deep Tissue Therapy

Let’s discuss the difference between deep tissue and Swedish massage; Deep tissue should be applied at a targeted point in the muscle belly holding the adhesion and trigger point; a therapist will apply modalities in this specific area to release the pathogens inflaming and impinging the nerve causing the pain; Swedish massage is a smooth gliding modality that is fluid and relaxing throughout the entire body.

Swedish massage and deep tissue massage work in harmony together. One should not want deep tissue full-body therapy because it will inflame the tissues, and a patient will not feel good during the session or after.

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What are the side effects of Deep Tissue Massage Therapy?

One should anticipate feeling sore the next few days after having a deep tissue massage therapy session.

To reduce the soreness, one should drink plenty of water to allow the body to secrete the pathogens released into the blood system from the muscle because of the deep tissue massage. This secretion process is three days. During this time, the patient should avoid inflammatory foods, and drink plenty of water, rest, and not partake in extreme activity. After three days, we should expect the patient to feel better.

Taking a warm Epson salt bath is helpful to reduce soreness the next day because this helps enable the secretion process. Using heat to allow new blood to enter the muscle tissues reduces next-day soreness, and applying a cool gel pack to reduce inflammation and nerve pain. I recommend using heat first, then following with your cool gel packs.

How often should one come in for a Deep Tissue Massage

When a therapist is working with most soft tissue dysfunction, I recommend a follow-up session within two weeks because muscle tissues have memory and will go back to the dysfunctional state by default.

If the patient is not seeing sustainable progress after four treatments, I recommend getting an MRI to see what muscle tissues are damaged and what that damage is. Depending on the soft tissue problem, that would vary; when one has a frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis,

I would recommend a massage on the area of damage every 5-7 days until a full range of motion is achieved, and the congestion in the tissues is no longer present. I recommend the same approach for sciatica. A patient suffering from sciatica would benefit most from deep tissue massage therapy every week until the nerve has no longer impinged. Keep in mind your therapist should give you home care such as stretches, how to apply heat, and cryotherapy.

Is Deep Tissue Massage good to treat Fibromyalgia?

The short answer is “maybe.” Let’s dig in. Once a patient is diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in the beginning stages of treatment, I would not recommend deep tissue massage as the main treating modality during the session because of the overactive nerves, which are underlined by high cortisol levels, overactive adrenals, and chronic pain causing mental instability as well.

The best time to apply deep tissue for this condition is once the therapist can see how the patient’s muscles and nervous system are responding to massage therapy. I would recommend that the first few sessions combine cranial lymphatic drainage, Swedish massage, and manual lymphatic drainage in the main lymphatic dumping sites. After the therapist stabilizes the patient and has established trust then, deep tissue can be very helpful in reducing the frequency and impact of flare-ups.

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What soft tissue dysfunction conditions can Deep tissue be helpful for?

  • Sciatica
  • Frozen shoulder ( after Physical therapy)
  • Tendinitis of any tendon
  • Muscle strains (after the swelling has gone down
  • Muscle pulls grade 1-2 (Grade 3 need to heal and after Physical therapy is over)
  • Scoliosis
  • Lack of mobility in any muscle group causing pain and stiffness.
  • Tissues impacted by ligaments and tendon damage such as knee, hip, ankle, shoulder, neck, wrist, and elbow.
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About The Author

Denise Leslie is a powerhouse mother, entrepreneur, and advocate for pain-free living. With a passion for healing and promoting health and wellness, As a dedicated therapist, Denise is committed to empowering others on their journey to optimal well-being. She understands the importance of community support and never stops serving those around her.