Why is deep tissue massage therapy so effective to prevent and relieve back pain? discover all its long term benefits and why it shall become a part of your workout.
Whether you are very active and sporty, recovering from an injury or illness, or you sit at a desk all day and wonder how to get rid of that upper & lower back and neck pain, deep tissue massage likely has some benefits to offer you.
Our signature deep tissue massage London is in fact by far the most popular Massage therapy treatment across all our clinics.
Massage therapy has been used to treat pain and other health problems since the Ancient Egyptian and Chinese civilizations.
Research suggests that Deep tissue massage, especially when combined with other alternative therapies, such as Acupuncture and Cupping therapy, can effectively treat conditions such as stress, anxiety and chronic lower back pain.
WHAT IS A DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE?
Deep Tissue Massage is a type of massage therapy in which we manipulate both the superficial and deep layers of muscle and the surrounding tissues tissue, such as the fascia and the tissue supporting the joints. By breaking adhesion at such a deeper lever, we aim to relax and release old patterns that restrict movement.
A deep tissue massage targets deep layers of muscle and the surrounding tissues. To access the deep layers of the muscular system, the best massage therapists usually start by warming up the body with a medium pressure and then continue to massage slowly with a firm or very firm pressure.
IS DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE PAINFUL?
Even though sometimes you may feel a little pain when the massage therapist applies a stronger pressure on certain points, which may be particularly tight, a deep tissue massage should not hurt to a degree that you feel repeatedly uncomfortable or in severe pain.
At A to Zen therapies, we always encourage our clients to keep an open dialogue throughout any treatment and inform us if they feel pain at any moment so we can quickly adjust the pressure and you feel comfortable again.
Pressure is very important in Deep tissue massage as it’s one of the tool we use to access and break adhesions that are deep under the skin, relieving pain and freeing up the muscles to move properly.
Our fantastic deep tissue massage therapists will help you to relax during this treatment by guiding your breathing as deep breathing can increase a lot the effects of such therapy and help the practitioner to access and free even deeper layers of muscle tension.
It is quite common to experience some muscle soreness after a deep tissue massage, especially if you only receive massage therapy occasionally, but any post-treatment pain should be disappear within a day or so. Bruising is uncommon, unless you are very sensitive to touch. The reason why you may experience after treatment soreness is that deep tissue massage strongly encourages toxins and lactic acid to leave the body and this process can cause some degree of pain. Our massage therapists will remind you to drink plenty of water as this is one of the simplest and most effective way to speed recovery and assist the delivery of nutrients to recovering muscles.
WHAT ARE THE TOP DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE BENEFITS?
Along Protein, stretching and hydration, that are all proven ways of effectively cooling down after vigorous exercise, Deep tissue massage is the other best thing you can do to speed the healing and repairing of your muscles.
Besides the significant impact it has on muscle recovery, deep tissue massage can help you relax and make stress and anxiety a distant memory.
Let's have a look at the main Deep tissue massage benefits more in details.
1. DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE FOR CHRONIC LOWER BACK PAIN
Few studies, such as this 2014 research and this other one, found that deep tissue massage’s effect can be likened to the effects of non steroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers, such as ibuprofen, for those suffering from chronic lower back pain. While drugs only help alleviate the symptoms, Deep tissue massage restore proper muscle function and mobility, therefore its beneficial effect is long lasting.
Deep tissue massage seems to be the most effective to treat muscular pain when compared to other form of massage therapy, because its action at a deeper tissue level.
2. DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
This study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed how deep tissue massage can help to reduce high blood pressure as it has a positive impact on both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.
3. DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE FOR STRESS AND ANXIETY
Massage therapies and other alternative medicine treatments such acupuncture can all help with psychological stress as a well-known effect of massage is the stimulation and release of the so called “happy hormones” like serotonin and oxytocin.
While stimulating the production of oxytocin, which is a hormone that relaxes the body and produces soothing effects, deep tissue massage also help to combat and lower cortisol, which is the stress hormone.
4. DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE FOR SCAR TISSUE AND ADHESIONS
Adhesions can result from the build up of lactic acid in muscles during anaerobic respiration, not only during exercise, but in our everyday life activities. When we are stressed, sleep poorly, or don’t stretch enough we tend to breath only in a shallow way and this lack of oxygen creates lactic acid, thus causing adhesions. This process leads to pain, inflammation and restricted movement.
Deep tissue massages is super effective in breaking scar tissue and adhesions, more known as the “knots”. During a treatment we can focus on the affected area and by increasing the pressure gradually we can access and break deep adhesions, restoring the circulation to those muscle fibres and helping them to heal.
Another research suggests deep tissue massage can speed up injury recovery as it breaks up the newly forming scar tissue, that usually lead to stiffness.
Besides deep tissue massages improves lymphatic circulation and drainage, thus increasing flexibility and range of motion in the area of the scar tissue. That’s why it is particularly reccommended for those recovering from surgery as deep tissue massage can definitely help to minimise scar tissue.
5. IMPROVES ATHLETIC RECOVERY AND PERFORMANCE
Deep tissue massage is used frequently to treat sports-related injuries, as it instantly improves lactate clearance and delay the onset of muscle fatigue and soreness. Nowadays most athletes incorporate deep tissue massage as a regular part of their workout. Studies show how it is effective to prevent injury and allow faster muscle recovery, thanks to the oxygenation of the deep tissue layers, and cause it stimulates the movement of toxins from your muscles.
Furthermore, as we mentioned above, massage therapy has calming and relaxing effects, so these psychological benefits can help athletes to improve focus and confidence.
HOW OFTEN SHALL I GET A DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE?
While we recommend a different course of treatments depending on the individual situation, frequency and length of treatment can vary greatly.
In general we would suggest twice a week if you recover from an injury, every week or other week if you want some support to find release from stress and anxiety, or once per month for general wellbeing.
LIMITATIONS
People may experience discomfort during a deep tissue massage, particularly if a therapist targets problem areas. They can let their massage therapist know if a massage becomes too painful.
Although deep tissue massage is generally safe, we would recommend another form of massage therapy or an acupuncture treatment in case you have:
increased risk of injury, such as bone fractures
a blood clotting disorder
nerve injury
older age
any recent surgery or chemotherapy
wounds or skin conditions
hernia
You are unique & your treatment should be too
Book today your first appointment, boost your sport performance and release aches and pain with our super effective deep tissue massage London!
We hope you now have clearer the top deep tissue massage benefits and why it should become a part of your recovery routine if you exercise. So why wait? Book today our signature deep tissue massage London!