What is a deep tissue massage?
It is a series of deep therapeutic movements that target muscle tension and pain and are intended to help loosen knotted connective tissue by applying slower, more intense pressure to the affected area. A massage therapist will apply firm, deeply penetrating pressure with her fingers, palms, or elbows, with the goal of targeting and relaxing both the deeper surface of the muscle and the fascia, also called connective tissue.
What is fascia?
It is a system of connective tissue that surrounds all the organs of the body; in other words, it is responsible for connecting organs and other structures.
While some muscles in your body are located close to the skin, others are hidden deep beneath other layers of muscle tissue and connective tissue. It is these hard-to-reach muscle fibers that deep tissue massage targets.
Benefits
★ Breaks up scar tissue, improving circulation and draining toxins.
★ Relieves pain by loosening tight tissue clusters.
★ Helps eliminate cortisol from the body, which decreases stress and pain.
★ improves lung function and helps lower blood pressure.
★ Promotes the elimination of knots that appear in the muscles and connective tissue.
★ stimulates the release of neurotransmitters that promote well-being.
★ Dissipation against stress and anxiety.
★ The range of motion of the muscles in training routines will be enhanced by the absence of accumulated tensions.
★ Helps in your recovery process after exercise and decreases the risk of injury.
★ reduces inflammation in specific areas, improving sleep quality.
★ Contributes to the treatment of some injuries, such as:
● Tennis elbow.
● Muscle contractures.
● Lumbalgia.
● Back pain.
● Cervical pain.
How is deep tissue massage performed?
The therapist will ask you to lie face down or face up, depending on the area to be treated.
She will begin with a sequence of warming up the muscles with light touches, then begin slow kneading and intensify the pressure to reach the desired depth.
The average duration of the deep tissue massage ranges from 60 to 90 minutes, depending on the level of accumulated tension.
Can it hurt?
Because a deep tissue massage works deep into muscle tissue that may already be sore, you may feel that soreness temporarily as the therapist applies pressure to those muscles. However, as the pain dissipates, you will begin to feel relief from the loosened muscle fibers, and you will begin to relax.
Performed with the perfect technique, it should not cause pain. Although the pressure that has to be exerted to undo the knots may be uncomfortable for some people,.
The truth is that there is a possibility that some discomfort may be carried over to the next day. However, it does not reach the level of soreness, and the reduction of problems in the treated muscles is almost immediate.
In case the massage generates pain during and after its application, the next step is to notify the practitioner of the type of discomfort felt in order to readjust or suspend the practice if necessary.
Contraindications and recommendations
As for contraindications, deep tissue massage should be avoided by people with blood clots or who are prone to their formation. Also, those suffering from osteoporosis need to consult a doctor beforehand to determine the feasibility of a massage with these characteristics.
Likewise, it is recommended to avoid the deep tissue method in areas with the following conditions:
Bruising.
Infections.
Skin rashes.
Tumors.
Abdominal hernia.
Recommendations
Before the massage, it is necessary to drink enough water so that the muscle tissue is well hydrated and responds in the best way.
Establish a massage session every 2 weeks so that the muscles are kept in optimal condition and the appearance of knots is avoided.
After deep tissue movements are applied, wait 12 hours before training again. This will prevent damaging injuries or relapses.
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