4 Benefits of a Deep Tissue Massage
By John Li, Registered Massage Therapist (RMT)
Massage therapy is the manipulation of soft tissues of the body including, muscles, connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and joints. Massage Therapy is a clinically-oriented healthcare option that helps alleviate the discomfort associated with every day and occupational stresses, muscular over-use and many chronic pain conditions. Receiving routine massages will maintain the body’s well-being.
Getting a deep tissue massage, where the therapist works on deeper layers of muscles, fascia, and myofascial layer can be advantageous.
- Deep tissue massage offers stress relief
Everyone experiences stress from everyday life demands. Deep tissue massage can ease the stress in a healthy manner, by relieving physical stress from the body. When the body is relaxed, it improves mental health as well.
- Deep tissue massage eases pain
Deep tissue massage uses techniques that focuses on key target areas and may be able to lessen pain. Deep tissue massage can be used for conditions such as fibromyalgia, tennis elbow, chronic pain – like low-back pain, and can provide pain relief.
- Deep tissue massage makes movement easier
Scar tissue forms around injuries and damaged muscles, ligaments, or tendons. Deep tissue massage can help make movement easier and promotes greater range of motion.
- Deep tissue massage can lower heart rate and blood pressure
Deep tissue massage can use gentle yet sustained pressure to release pooled blood and improve blood circulation. Massage can also calm the body, therefore lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
I’ve been pretty stressed out lately and so I really like the idea of getting a massage. However, I deal with stress a lot, because I am a single mom and work full time and so I might have to make this a regular thing. How often do you think that I should get a massage so that I am stress-free?
I had no idea that a deep tissue massage could lower your heart rate and your blood pressure. It seems like if people knew about this, they’d probably be getting more massages and buying less medication. Maybe that’s just my opinion though. Thanks for the information!
This sounds like it is an especially great idea for athletes. I bet my daughter might be able to benefit from something like this, because she is a dedicated soccer player. Is there anything that she should do in preparation for this type of therapy to ensure that it is effective? Thank you for all of the helpful and applicable information!
Lately, I’ve been finding that I get a lot more headaches, and I think it has to do with the fact that I’ve had a lot more responsibilities at work. I have a feeling that these are stress headaches, so I need to find a way to get myself some relief. However, if a massage can do that, then I’ll definitely choose that over pain medication. After all, who doesn’t love getting a massage?
I appreciate your tip on how a deep tissue massage makes movement easier. I would imagine that if you are having trouble with range of motion a massage would help alleviate that. My husband has been having some trouble with his shoulders tightening recently so maybe he should consider a deep tissue massage to help with that.