deep tissue massage
Benefits
Chronic pain
The massage type is for people who suffer from more or less constant, chronic pain from areas such as neck, shoulders, jaw, headaches or lower back. The pain might be coming from muscle infiltrations or intense tension-like sensations.
Injuries
If you've had an injury and the healing or scar tissue feels like it have created a stiffness or inappropriate compensation, the treatment can create more blood circulation in the affected area, which will give both pain relief and a freer feeling.
Mental stress
In this treatment, there will also be an element of mental relief, since we will be working with the breath whilst creating higher blood circulation in tense areas. Next to that, there might be a sensation of emotional overwhelm, since old traumas or pain might be stored in the body and is put into movement when under deep pressure.
What happens during a treatment?
Before your deep tissue massage, your massage therapist will want to know about your problem areas. A deep tissue massage most often involve just one area per treatment.
Once ready, you’ll be asked to lie on your back or stomach, under a sheet or a blanket. Your level of undress is based on your comfort and what's agreed upon. The area being worked on will not need to be fully exposed if uncomfortable.
The massage therapist will warm up your muscles using a lighter touch. Once you’re warmed up, they’ll start working on your problem areas. They’ll use deep kneading and stroking with varying amounts of intense pressure.
Side effects?
It’s not unusual to have some lingering soreness for a few days following a deep tissue massage. Using a heating pad or a cold pack wrapped in a towel may help to relieve soreness.
Due to emotional pain or old traumas hidden in the body, some people will also experience a emotional relief and might walk around in the world a little gentler for a few days after treatment. If this is the case, your massage therapist will talk to you about ways to approach this the gentlest way possible.
Things you need to know
This treatment can be intense both emotionally and physically, so having a low pain threshold or generally being scared of feeling deep feelings, this might not be the treatment for you.
Let's talk about it if you're in doubt!