Deep Tissue Massage & How It Works

Deep tissue is one of many different massage techniques available and may help with certain medical conditions dealing with the musculoskeletal, lymphatic, circulatory and nervous systems. A typical session lasts approximately 45 minutes and the therapist tailors the session specifically to your needs and conditions. According to the American Massage Therapy Association, approximately one out of six adults get a massage each year.

History

The use of massage in Traditional Chinese Medicine dates back thousands of years and continues to be popular in Chinese medicine, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. The oldest publication about massage dates back to 3000 BC, as noted by Robert Calvert in his book, “The History of Massage.” The Swedish massage technique was introduced to the United States in the 1850s, where it became very popular in medical practice. Currently, there are over one hundred different styles of massage used for therapeutic purposes.

Function

A deep tissue massage focuses on your deep muscles and fascia, or connective tissue. Deep tissue massage techniques use slower, more forceful strokes to target the deeper layers of the muscle to reach the fascia, which is below the surface muscles. The fascia is the fibrous tissue where knots or adhesions form that may trigger pain and inflammation from muscle damage or injuries. The technician uses the deep pressure techniques across the grain of your muscles to break down the adhesion, which may help relieve your pain and increase mobility.

Benefits

Massage may be beneficial for a variety of medical conditions. If you have back pain, cramping, muscle spasms or problems with joint flexibility, massage may help relax and decrease your tight muscles. In addition, massage may help enhance your immunity, increase endorphin production to help with migraines and pain, or lessen depression and anxiety, according to the Massage Therapy website. A survey in 2005 by “Consumer Reports” reported that deep-tissue massage was beneficial in two-thirds of 313 readers polled in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis. In addition, 35 percent of those readers mentioned that deep-tissue massage was comparable to using over-the-counter drugs and/or supplements for treatment.

Contraindications

Although massages are generally safe, you should consult with your physician prior to massage if you have a bleeding disorder or low platelet counts, are taking blood-thinning medications, or have been diagnosed with heart failure, kidney failure or cancer. In addition, massage is not advisable if you have an open wound, skin infection, blood clots or fracture, or recently had surgery, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Warning

Deep-tissue massage is not a substitute for medical treatment; consult with your health care provider to discuss any potential risks prior to setting up a massage session.