Deep Tissue Massage and Benefits

Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve severe tension in the muscle and the connective tissue or fascia. Connective tissue and fascia play a vital role in the support of the body, since they surround and attach to all structures. (Werner, 2009, p. 18) Connective tissue surrounds muscles, attaches muscle to bone such as tendons, attaches bone to bone such as ligaments, and wraps organs, nerves, tubes, and vessels. When our system is healthy connective tissue stretches when a person moves. When trauma, injury, repetitive motion, or more severe pathology occurs, connective tissue can become compromised. This compensation may result in thickening, fibrosity, adhesions, and other structural change to these tissues. (Werner, 2009, p. 18)

Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronically tense and contracted areas such as stiff necks, low back tightness, and sore shoulders. Some of the same strokes are used as classic massage therapy, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain. (Wong, 2006) When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation. Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. To do this, the massage therapist often uses direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles. (Wong, 2006)

Deep tissue massage can be used to treat many conditions. One example would be treatment for fibromyalgia. Massage therapy is actually one of the most beneficial treatments for fibromyalgia pain and fatigue. In fact, in a survey completed by fibromyalgia sufferers, massage therapy was rated the best fibromyalgia treatment option by an overwhelming margin. Massage therapy benefits include; increased blood circulation to the muscles, allowing for faster muscle repair, increased flexibility, increased range of motion, decreased stress and depression, reduced pain, reduced stiffness, and improved sleep patterns. (Massage Therapy, 2008)

Another condition that can be helped by deep tissue massage is Osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type, is mainly seen in older adults. In OA, joints are damaged as cartilage, the material that surrounds joints, wears down, causing inflammation. The disease can become disabling. Osteoarthritis often affects the knees, making it hard to walk. Other commonly affected areas include the hips, fingers and spine. The wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles can also be involved when there is a prior injury or weakness from repetitive strain. (Massage Therapy for Arthritis, 2008) Deep tissue massage is helpful to release fascias that cross affected joints. Deep-tissue massage therapy can decrease pain and improve movement in specific muscles and joints. It can also increase the flow of oxygen within the body, relieve tension and help loosen and remove toxins from within the body.

It is best to work the adductors, hip rotators, gluteal, and abdomen, including psoas muscles. This may help to relieve tension, take stress of the uterine ligament, and even minimize abdominal adhesions that may contribute to pain. (Werner, 2009, p. 617)

Deep tissue massage is not for everyone or for every condition. Be sure to read and understand the client’s medical history and be sure to adjust for client’s pain tolerance when performing a deep tissue massage.

Bibliography

Massage Therapy . (2008). Retrieved from Fibromyalgia Symptoms: http://www.fibromyalgia-symptoms.org/fibromyalgia_massage.html

Massage Therapy for Arthritis . (2008). Retrieved from AltMD: http://www.altmd.com/Articles/Massage-Therapy-for-Arthritis

Werner, R. (2009). A Massage Therapist's Guide to Pathology Fourth Edition . Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Williams.

Wong, C. (2006, April 11). Deep Tissue Massage . Retrieved from About: http://altmedicine.about.com/od/massage/a/massage.htm

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