Deep Tissue Massage: What is it?

One type of massage treatment called deep tissue massage (DTM) is used to treat a variety of conditions, such as low back discomfort, high blood pressure, and limited range of motion. Numerous techniques can be employed in this type of massage treatment to target certain problem areas and enhance general wellbeing.

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The many methods employed by licensed massage therapists, the ailments that deep tissue massage may effectively treat, and the physical advantages of the procedure will all be covered in this blog post.

Deep Tissue Massage: What Is It?

Targeting the deepest levels of muscles and connective tissues is the specialty of deep tissue massage. Deep tissue massage targets the deep tissues, such as the muscle, fascia, and connective tissue, in contrast to typical Swedish massage, which mostly concentrates on relaxation.

DTM is most frequently used to pain-prone regions like the waist, neck, and shoulder. The overall goals of this treatment method are to enhance blood circulation, relieve stress, break down adhesions, and restore the musculoskeletal system to its best functioning.

Techniques for Deep Tissue Massage

Several methods are used by deep tissue massage therapists to target certain tense and uncomfortable regions. Typical methods include:

strokes that are slow and intended to stretch the fibers of the muscle.

Targeting deep tissues while preserving treatment depth

For the certified massage therapist, using body weight to produce force delivered through the hands, knuckles, or elbows to employ gravity lessens muscular fatigue.

muscular stimulation or stretching to create a link between the brain, which controls movement, and the muscle.

Deeper muscle layers may be more sensitive than superficial layers, thus the application should be within the client’s comfort zone (minimally unpleasant or no discomfort at all).

Deep Tissue Massage Advantages

The numerous physical advantages of deep tissue massage have been the subject of several scientific investigations. Here are a few of the main benefits:

1. Lowering Blood Pressure

Deep tissue massage was found to significantly lower blood pressure in a comprehensive research including 263 people. This comprised both diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats, and systolic pressure, which is the pressure in the arteries during a heartbeat.

Heart rate (HR), which is expressed in beats per minute, and mean arterial pressure (MAP), which is the average blood pressure in a person during a single cardiac cycle, both dropped after DTM.

2. Enhancing ROM (range of motion)

Another research looked into a group of people who had neck discomfort. Active range of motion (AROM) increased for those who had ten sessions of Rolfing, a type of deep tissue massage.

They could, for example, turn their necks 13 degrees more in both the left and right orientations on average. In actuality, the patients’ range of motion expanded in every category, including extension, flexion in general, left and right rotation, and left and right flexion. All individuals had a substantial decrease in average pain levels.

3. Reducing Pain

Mothers who have cesarean sections may face several difficulties, chief among them being discomfort. Uncomfortable feelings and anxiousness may follow this pain. One research specifically looked at the potential utility of deep tissue massage to counteract this. Those who received deep tissue massage reported feeling more comfortable and scoring lower on a pain scale than those who did not.

Reduced Low Back Pain: Non-specific back pain is defined as back pain that has no identified etiology. The goal of the study was to determine whether deep tissue massage might reduce pain and raise the threshold for discomfort. In line with the findings of the caesarian section research, they did report a drop in the VAS scale and a rise in pain threshold.

Reduced Plantar Heel Pain: In the general community, 10% of people experience plantar heel pain syndrome. Researchers found that plantar heel pain may also be effectively treated with deep tissue massage. After applying deep tissue massage to the calves of individuals experiencing this type of pain, they came to the conclusion that it effectively lessens discomfort. Subjects who used hand massage and hard rolling on the calf plantar flexor muscles also showed an improvement in pain tolerance.

In conclusion

A therapeutic method to reduce stress, regain equilibrium, and improve general wellbeing is deep tissue massage. This method offers several advantages by focusing on the deeper layers of muscles and connective tissues, such as pain reduction, enhanced mobility, and enhanced sports performance.

The massage therapists at Bayou Spa are skilled and knowledgeable in a range of therapeutic approaches. To find out how to include DTM in your therapy routine to help reduce your pain and increase your mobility, please get in touch with us and schedule a free consultation with one of our licensed massage therapists.