What is Deep Tissue Massage?
A deep tissue massage is a kind of massage therapy that involves an application of firm and constant pressure and deep, heavy, slow strokes to reach the deeper layers of our muscles and the connective tissues surrounding it. This applied pressure will help to break up the scar tissues that were formed after an injury and it also decreases the tensions within our muscles and tissues.
How Deep Tissue Massage Came About?
It is believed that the early Greeks and Egyptians were the first to use Deep Tissue Massage. These civilizations, together with the ancient Chinese were one of the first to find out about the healing potential of massage. Hundreds of years later, the concept of massage has been improved which eventually led to it having a modern history where each knowledge, progress, and advancement were recorded for better development.
The modern history of deep tissue massage, however, can be traced back into the late 1800s when it was introduced in the United States of America and Canada. During this time, Doctors applied this method to deal with different health conditions. Deep tissue massage has then been used for years until the strong formal guidelines and procedures had been finally established in the mid-1900s.
Back in 1949, a Canadian physician named Therese Phimmer released the book “Muscles: Your Invisible Bonds”, which established the principles and How-To Manuals of deep tissue massage, formalizing this particular technique. In this book, she shared how she utilized deep tissue massage on a daily basis since she wanted to cure the paralysis in her legs. This personal experience gave her book enough drive and has gained trust from various types of audience. Ever since that time, deep tissue massage has been practiced by an increasing number of sports medicine practitioners and muscular therapists to take care of soft tissue injuries and chronic pains.
How Does Deep Tissue Massage Differ from Swedish Massage?
Deep tissue massage and Swedish massage both use some of the same strokes, but they have different uses and vary greatly not only when it comes to the amount of pressure used (Swedish uses gentler pressure), but also when it comes to a few more things such as: First, its purpose. Deep tissue massage is mostly intended to treat chronic pain, muscle, and sports-related injuries while Swedish massage is utilized to promote relaxation and diminish muscle tension caused by everyday activities. The second difference is its focus area. Deep tissue massage focuses the inner layers of your muscles and joints while Swedish massage concentrates on the surface layers of muscle and focuses on the parts of our body that tend to hold the most tension, such as the neck, shoulders, and back.
What are Deep Tissue Massage Benefits?
Deep tissue massage provides both physical and psychological benefits. It is not the same as the other types of massage that mainly focuses on relaxation, rather, deep tissue massage concentrates more on the treatment of muscle pain and stiffness. People have also reported that deep tissue massage helps with sports-related injuries, managing high blood pressure, treating lower back pains, carpal tunnel syndrome, postural problems, and many more. Even though not all of these benefits have been proven scientifically, deep tissue massage is still recommended if you are interested in a massage that can help with muscle recovery after injuries.
Does Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?
Deep tissue massage uses very firm pressure that’s why at certain times during the massage, you may undergo some discomfort or even some pain as the massage therapist works on regions where there are adhesions or scar tissue. This is not unusual and soreness may even linger for a few days after having this kind of massage. A heating pad or cold pack may help in relieving this soreness. However, though it is not unusual, keep in mind that pain isn’t significantly good, and it’s not an indication that the massage has been effective. Remember, do not hesitate to tell your massage therapist if you feel pain so he or she can adjust the pressure or further prep the tissues if the superficial muscles are tense.
Where Can I Find a Good Deep Tissue Massage Therapist in the Philippines?
There are various spas that offer multiple types of massage in the country. One of them is Breeze Oriental Spa and Massage where you can experience one of the best deep tissue massages in BGC, Taguig, Metro Manila. Their therapists are extensively trained by experts from China, making sure all hands are passionate and highly qualified to work on what your body needs. A deep tissue massage is best performed by a skilled and trained therapist in order to avoid being hurt, especially if it is going to be your first time to try it.
Overall, even though massage therapy is considered safe in general, note that deep tissue massage uses a lot of pressure and you may need a doctor’s advice before going through one if you have certain health conditions. Otherwise, deep tissue massage is a perfect fit if you engage in extremely physical activities or if you suffer from an injury or chronic pains.
