Discover the incredible benefits of Deep Tissue Massage, written by Marey El Hamouley himself.

Deep tissue massage techniques are used to break up scar tissue and physically break down muscle “knots” or adhesions (bands
of painful, rigid tissue) that can disrupt circulation and cause pain, limited range of motion, and inflammation. Massage therapists may use fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows, and forearms during a deep tissue massage. You may be asked to breathe deeply as the massage therapist works on tense areas.

5 Key Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage:

1. Relieves Chronic Muscle Tension: Deep tissue massage targets deep layers of muscles and connective tissues, effectively releasing knots and tension, providing long-lasting relief for chronic muscle tightness and stiffness.
2. Alleviates Pain and Soreness: This massage technique helps reduce inflammation and promotes blood flow, which can significantly alleviate pain and soreness caused by injuries or repetitive strain.
3. Improves Flexibility and Range of Motion: By working on deeper muscle layers, deep tissue massage can enhance flexibility and increase your range of motion, allowing you to move more freely and with greater ease.
4. Aids in Injury Rehabilitation: It’s beneficial in the recovery process after injuries, as it aids in breaking down scar tissue and adhesions, enabling the body to heal more effectively.
5. Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Deep tissue massage triggers the release of serotonin and oxytocin, which are natural mood enhancers, leading to reduced stress levels and a greater sense of relaxation and well-being.

At the beginning of a deep tissue massage, lighter pressure is generally applied to warm up and prepare the muscles. Specific techniques are then applied.

Common techniques include:

• Stripping: Deep, gliding pressure along the length of the muscle fibers using the elbow, forearm, knuckles, and thumbs.
• Friction: Pressure applied across the grain of a muscle to release adhesions and realign tissue fibers.

 
Deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as chronic muscle pain, injury rehabilitation, and the following conditions:

• Low back pain
• Limited mobility
• Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls)
• Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome3
• Postural problems
• Muscle tension in the hamstrings, glutes, IT band, legs, quadriceps, rhomboids, upper back
• Osteoarthritis pain
• Sciatica
• Piriformis syndrome
• Tennis elbow
• Fibromyalgia
• Upper back or neck pain

Not all of these benefits have been scientifically proven. But if you are interested in a massage to prevent sports injury, address sport-specific concerns, or to help with muscle recovery after sports, consider getting a sports massage.

After the massage, you may feel some stiffness or soreness, but it should subside within a day or so.

Drinking water after the massage may help to flush the metabolic waste from the tissues.

Does Deep Tissue Massage Release Toxins?

The purpose of a deep tissue massage is to release the muscle fibres that have become “stuck”, in order to remove toxins and to encourage blood to circulate again. Although a full-body deep tissue massage would be a great way to prevent a build-up of metabolic toxins and small issues before they become debilitating, it is probably not what you came for.

Be sure to contact your local massage therapist if you have concerns or if you feel pain after having a massage. The Sugar & Spice Spa in Fribourg, Switzerland specializes in Deep Tissue massage.

If you are interested in learning more about deep tissue massage, we suggest your next step would be learning how to become a massage therapist and enrolling in a Deep Tissue Massage Course to specialize in Deep Tissue Massage and obtain your massage course certification.

Explore the options of an on-campus Massage Course at The International Massage Academy of Switzerland – IMAS Sàrl or study Deep Tissue Massage online here. Discover the Difference between a Swedish Massage VS Deep Tissue Massage here and explore the benefits of Swedish Massage here.