What Is Deep Tissue Massage

The Deep Tissue Massage I perform focuses on the connective tissues, fascia encasing the muscle bodies, as well as the deeper muscle layers- working to relax, lengthen, and release holding patterns in the most effective and energy-efficient way possible. Slower movements and more firm pressure is used, although often it is misunderstood to mean the massage should be outright painful, this is not the case. We are working deeply with, not on the muscles, emphasizing altering the structure and muscle restrictions. There will be discomfort, and at times we will reach a 7 or 8 on a pain scale of 1 to 10, however, we never want the pain to cause the muscle to tense or to feel unproductive. We are looking for a “hurts so good” or “I can breathe through it” level of discomfort in these sessions.

Because we are focusing on the deeper muscle layers that aren’t used to touch, I still spend time warming the tissue up using medium pressure. The idea behind working with the fascia encasing the muscle bodies is to create more space for the muscle to relax into. Fascia can contract in more complex ways than muscles, which means they can get bound in more complex ways. The fascia can also stick to surrounding fascia, similar to velcro & when this happens muscle function is impeded. The muscle function being affected could cause compensation or incorrect joint articulation which can lead to inflammation and pain. If we don’t work on releasing the fascial tension ad adhesions, the muscles won’t be able to fully relax- imagine the fascia as a sack around the muscle and all the looseness is pulled tight, no matter what you do to the muscle, it doesn’t have space to move into, but if you can get the looseness in the sack to expand, then the muscle can have space to relax into.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage:

✧ Emotional Release
✧ Stress & Anxiety Reduction
✧ Improve Circulation
✧ Activate Parasympathetic Nervous System – Creating Calm
✧ Accelerate Muscle Repair
✧ Reduction of Muscle Tension
✧ Pain Management
✧ Increased Range of Motion
✧ Improves Soft Tissue Function
✧ Decrease Low Back Pain
✧ Relieve Tension Headaches

Sources:

Riggs, Art. Deep Tissue MASSAGE. Berkeley, California. North Atlantic Books 2007
Lach, Ivan. Segmental Bodywork. Self Published 1998
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/massage/art-20045743
https://www.nuhs.edu/patients/health-information/articles/deep-tissue-massage/
https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/massage-therapy-for-health