Deep tissue is one of over a hundred different types of massage used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Previously considered a luxury, medical professionals are suggesting massage as an alternative form of medical treatment to help with conditions associated with the musculoskeletal, circulatory, lymphatic and nervous systems. Deep tissue massage focuses on the deep muscles and fascia, or connective tissue.
Pain
If you are experiencing pain from a sports injury or trauma or have been diagnosed with chronic muscle tension or excessive scar tissue build-up, you may benefit from deep tissue massage. This type of massage will help increase blood flow and oxygen to the muscles, which help reduce knots in connective tissues, reduce tension in the muscle and help realign your posture.
The American Massage Therapy Association released a survey in 2006, reporting 98 percent of Generation X and 48 percent of Generation Y respondents use massage to relieve pain. (Reference 1)
Stress
A deep tissue massage is beneficial when you are dealing with stress on a daily basis. Deep tissue massage aids in the release of cortisol, a stress hormone. The increase in cortisol releases serotonin and dopamine, which are neurotransmitters that help reduce anxiety, depression and stress, according to CNN.
In 2001, the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami performed research on the correlation between massage and back pain and found that subjects in the massage therapy control group not only showed a reduction in lower back pain, but reported that massage helped reduce depression and anxiety, as well as improving sleep patterns.
Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Blood pressure is measured using systolic and diastolic pressure in millimeters of mercury. Systolic blood pressure is the top number in a blood pressure reading and is the amount of pressure when the heart is beating. Diastolic is the bottom number and measures the pressure in blood vessels when the heart is at rest. Normal adult pressure is 120 over 80 and readings higher than 140 over 90 are considered elevated. Heart rate is generally measured in combination with blood pressure. On the average, 60 to 100 beats per minute is normal but can vary according to age, weight, medical history and current medications you are taking.
In 2001, researchers at the Louisiana State University in New Orleans studied the effects of reducing blood pressure and heart rate through the combination of massage and soothing music. The study---comprised of 263 volunteers---reported a 10.4 mmHg reduction in systolic pressure, 5.3 mmHg reduction in diastolic pressure, 7.0 mmHg reduction in arterial pressure and a 10.8 beats-per-minute reduction in heart rate.
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