By Tony Beecroft, Physiotherapist
Deep Tissue Massage: How It May Help You
Many people do not realise that there are several types of massage therapies including deep tissue massage, which use different techniques and provide varying effects.
What Is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage therapy is one of the most common types of massage in Melbourne, and involves applying firm and deep pressure with fingers, thumbs and elbows. The deep, slow strokes and friction help reach deeper layers of muscles and fascia aiding in the release chronic muscle tension. Fascia is the term used to refer to the connective tissues surrounding our muscles.
Massage therapists work perpendicularly to the length of a person’s fibres of superficial muscles with the purpose of reaching and massaging those muscles underneath. This type of massage is commonly used for chronic pains, aching muscles and on contracted areas such as the upper back, a stiff neck, leg muscle tightness, low back pain, and sore shoulders. It can often compliment other treatments such as shoulder physiotherapy in Melbourne.
The deep tissue massage therapy is the revolutionary fusion of other forms of bodywork including deep tissue sculpting, Hellerwork, Chua ka, Rolfing, cross-fibre friction massage, and many others. As with these bodyworks, this type of tissue massage in Melbourne is believed to improve the body’s blood flow and is most recommended as an application to relieve muscle problems for arthritic complaints, pain and rehabilitation.
While some of the strokes used in a deep tissue massage may feel the same as those used in a regular Swedish massage therapy, it doesn’t have the same effect as a deep pressure massage. The deep tissue therapy breaks up scar tissues and practically breaks down the adhesions or the so-called muscle “knots,” which are strands of painful and rigid tissues that causes disruption in the blood circulation as well as pain, inflammation, and a limited range of one’s motion.
At Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy, our therapists initially apply lighter pressure to generally warm up and prepare the muscles before putting in deeper strokes. The most common techniques involved in this special type of massage in Melbourne includes stripping (or gliding deep pressures along the length of the muscle fibres using one’s thumbs, knuckles, forearms, and elbows) or friction (that involves applying pressure across the grain of the muscle fibres to realign tissue fibres and release adhesions.
After doing some deep tissue work, the therapist will flush out the area that they have worked into. This will cause the circulation to open up to the affected muscle, however the metabolic wastes will be need to be flushed or it will sit in the interstitial fluid. The flushing part of massage helps return these metabolites to the circulation by means of the lymphatic system as well the cardiovascular system.
A deep tissue massage will normally focus on a specific problem, such as injury rehabilitation, muscle pain, as well as a number of other conditions including:
• Limited mobility
• Recovery from injuries
• Low back pain
• Postural problems
• Repetitive strain injury (carpal tunnel syndrome)
• Upper back or neck pain
• Sciatica pain
• Osteoarthritis pain
• Muscle tension (in the glutes, upper back, hamstrings, quadriceps, IT band, legs, rhomboids)
• Tennis elbow
• Fibromyalgia
• Piriformis syndrome
• And sports concerns (runners, athletes, etc.).
Of course, when it comes to your remedial massage in Melbourne needs, always look for someone you trust and one who can deliver the best results. At Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy, we have professional therapists with a reputable track record of providing excellent massage therapy services that comes with an expert combination of massage, muscle manipulation, as well as body and mind relaxation.
Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy is certified and licensed to provide expert therapy solutions for anyone who wants to resolve health, rehabilitation, and pain problems from the build-up of sore and tight muscles that commonly come from the neck, back, legs or shoulders. Our deep tissue massage is renowned for its effectiveness and efficiency in terms of helping you get rid of those “knotted” muscles, providing you with long-term muscle and body rejuvenation.
Massage related blog posts
1. Calf Strain Exercises and Massage
2. Sports Massage for Cyclists
3. Deep Tissue versus Relaxation Massage
4. Do I Need a Sports Massage?
5. Benefits of Remedial Massage
2. Strengthen Your Back: Physiotherapy for Back Pain
3. Easy Physiotherapy Treatment for Tennis Elbow