Almost all of us carry the most tension in the neck and shoulder regions of the body, especially if you have a high-stress lifestyle or sit at a desk most of the time. This chronic tension can cause headaches and uncomfortable body aches. If this tension goes untreated, it can even escalate into ailments such as tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. One method of combating chronic tension is deep tissue massage.
Deep tissue massage consists of slow, penetrating strokes that focus on the deeper layers of the muscle and muscle groups affected by tension. When muscles are chronically tight, they remain in a state of contraction, which is what causes discomfort. The objective of deep tissue massage is to release that contraction by applying sustained, focused pressure on the affected muscle. In order for deep tissue massage to effect that “release”, the connective tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and fascia are deeply worked as well.
Other massage techniques typically follow the pattern of the muscle grain, but deep tissue massage goes against the grain. Firm friction strokes across the grain of the muscle signals the muscle to relax as the fascia is stretched and smoothed back out. This technique of deep tissue massage can create a bit of discomfort while being performed, but that discomfort should dissipate a day or so after the massage.
Firm, sustained pressure along the pressure points of the muscle is another method of creating release as well. Typically, the deep tissue massage practitioner will apply pressure using an elbow along the points of the muscle; usually, the patient will feel an immediate release once the practitioner has released pressure.
Deep tissue massage is very effective in releasing toxins from the muscles as well. When the muscles hold patterns of tension, lactic acid builds up inside the muscle from it being contracted. This release of lactic acid is what causes the discomfort after a deep tissue massage. Drinking plenty of water after your massage will help the body flush those toxins away.
Although deep tissue massage can be uncomfortable, it is highly therapeutic. The chronic patterns of tension can be corrected with regular deep tissue massage sessions, and is highly beneficial to help the body heal. In addition, this release of toxins and tension help keep the body performing at optimal levels so the body is less susceptible to illness and injury.
