What is Deep Tissue/Sports massage?
The term Deep Tissue or Sports Massage can sound painful and intimidating. This may be the case until you know what is involved. The original creator was a physiotherapist from Canada who was looking at ways to penetrate muscles in a deeper way.
Deep Tissue/Sports Massage is a treatment that targets the deeper layers of the muscle and surrounding connective tissues. This type of massage can be very helpful in many ranges of conditions and injuries.
It is important to note that a degree of discomfort can be experienced during the treatment. Deep Tissue/Sports Massage whole point is to work on the muscles and connecting tissues to break down adhesions and scar tissue.
After a Deep Tissue/Sports Massage you can expect some degree of soreness. It is suggested to drink plenty of water and the use of ice in particularly sore areas can be of help.
How is Deep Tissue/Sports Massage performed?
Because of the nature of this type of massage, the therapist will discuss in detail what is the steps including the possibility of discomfort. They will during the massage discuss pressure and your comfort level.
Firstly, muscle preparation is used with oils, balms and light pressure working on particular areas of tightness. Once the areas are warmed up then a technique commonly used called stripping is performed. This is the use of thumbs, knuckles, forearms and elbows gliding pressure along the muscles.
Another process called friction can also be used. This is pressure applied to the grain of the muscles with the aim of realigning tissue fibres. This in turn will release connective and ridged tissue that is causing discomfort.
What are the benefits of Deep Tissue/Sports Massage?
Deep Tissue/Sports Massage has similar benefits to Swedish Massage. However, effects of the additional pressure and deepness access of muscle tissue utilising different parts of the therapist hands and arms, has additional therapeutic advantages.
The benefits of this type of massage includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Can reduce pain of troublesome muscles and associated tissues.
- Can increase and optimize flexibility of muscles and open joints.
- Improve posture.
- Preventative to muscle injury.
- Improves range and motion of limbs and muscles.
- Improves circulation, which brings more oxygen to muscles and other tissues.
- Flushing out of Metabolic by-products.
- Increase of serotonin levels to improve sleep
- Relieve headaches as a result of stress and/or poor circulation.
- Can decrease stress levels and lower cortisol levels.