WHAT IS IT AND HOW CAN IT HELP ME?
Massage is often seen as a self indulgent, luxury treatment. That however is not the case Whilst there is a plethora of massage styles and types in the world most people will be familiar with Swedish massage. However deep tissue massage is often packaged in a variety of names so it is often called sports, remedial or clinical massage.
Deep tissue massage is a therapy that works on not only the top layer of muscle but also the deeper more structural muscles so it works on a many levels. It’s a therapy that is designed to help the body cope with soft tissue issues. Whether they are a degenerative or a outside force causing breakages in fibres through wear and tear, complications or stress.
This massage technique can aid arthritic, fibromyalgia and bursitis, just a few conditions though to whiplash and over-use issues. muscle soreness even migraines and headaches.Deep tissue massage has developed use of a variety of techniques from direct pressure to indirect, encompassing dynamic movement to stillness and stretching.
TECHNIQUES INCLUDE:
Trigger pointing a technique designed to target trigger points mapped through the body that relates to pain
Fascia release: working with the fascia, this is the connective tissue that surrounds everything and works like a lubricant to allow items to slide and move as well as being a supportive role.
NMT or MET both similar they allow the therapist to release the muscles whilst using isometric movement
Stretching is often used to increase the muscles to reduce pain and increase healing.
Hot and cold therapy. Cold and heat can aid in healing and working as an effective analgesic
Regardless of technique, massage has so many benefits to the individual it’s hard to understand why it would be considered a luxury instead of a necessity.
SOME OF THE BENEFITS INCLUDE:
Lowers blood pressure
Aids muscle, tendon and ligament healing
Relieve stress
Relieve postoperative pain
Reduce anxiety
Manage low-back pain
Help fibromyalgia pain
Reduce muscle tension
Enhance exercise performance
Relieve tension headaches
Sleep better
Ease symptoms of depression
Improve cardiovascular health
Reduce pain of osteoarthritis
Improve balance in older adults
Decrease rheumatoid arthritis pain
Promote relaxation
Lower blood pressure
Decrease symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Help chronic neck pain
Lower joint replacement pain
Increase range of motion
Decrease migraine
Aid healing with scar tissue breakdown
I am passionate about this therapy. It is not only a science but an art form. The treatment is completely bespoke and authentic to the individual. The wonderful thing about any massage, as my tutor once said “is that it is like a snowflake completely individual and can not be recreated.” Massage is about the individual and helping release tension, recalibrate and recover. It’s not about self indulgence but purely about self care and maintenance. It is in my eyes as important as drinking water, having a balanced diet and regular exercise.