If you go to a massage therapy clinic, you’ll discover many types of massages. Most people start out with the Swedish massage, but often switch to another type later on. One option is the deep tissue massage, which has many benefits. It’s important to know when this kind of massage will provide the best results.
What is Deep Tissue Massage?
Just like its name implies, deep tissue massage gets down to the deeper layers of muscle. It uses firmer pressure with slow strokes. The therapist may use their elbows and forearms as well as the thumbs and knuckles to provide more pressure.
Two techniques are common with a deep tissue massage. Friction goes across a muscle while stripping is pressure along the muscle with deep, gliding strokes.
When to Use Deep Tissue Massage
This type of massage is often used after injury to help with rehab. It is also useful with chronic pain and with specific conditions or situations, such as low back pain or problems with posture. Deep tissue massage can help tennis elbow, sciatica, muscle tension and limited mobility.
Therapists use deep tissue massage to break up scar tissue after an injury. This can help you regain more flexibility and mobility in the affected area, which can speed up the healing process.
It’s important to know that not everyone is a good candidate for deep tissue massage. Because of the firmer pressure, it may feel uncomfortable or even slightly painful. However, you should communicate with your therapist because they can adjust their technique to help your muscles relax more and reduce the discomfort you feel during the session.
Deep tissue massage has many benefits, and it’s worth discussing with your therapist if you feel it could help with a condition or health concern you have.