Often people choose Deep Tissue massage to convey the message “I hurt! Please make it stop no matter how much it hurts!” If that’s not a cry for help, what is? But, what if the pain could stop with minimal pain or no pain at all? Would that not be better?
What is Deep Tissue massage?
Our therapists at New Life believe massage does not have to be painful to be effective. This massage eases into the deeper levels of tight, sore muscles, relaxing tissue and easing pain by using techniques designed to release the fascia surrounding soft tissue, bone, joints, blood/lymph vessels, and nerves.
Once the fascia is released, muscles can return to their normal resting lengths and positions. From here, muscles are more easily manipulated and often with less pain or no pain at all. Releasing the fascia is key to an effective Deep Tissue.
The technique used to release fascia is called Myofascial Release. Myofascial Release is all about pressure, angle and time. Depending on the condition of tissue and its nutritional makeup, fascia may flow easily and quickly or it may take longer to release. Other techniques are used in conjunction with Myofascial Release allowing for a deeper more complete muscle - tendon/ligament relaxation to occur.
Fascia: A structure of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, groups of muscles, bone, joints, blood vessels, lymph vessels, and nerves. Fascia binds some structures together, while permitting others to slide smoothly over each other. Fascia gives strength to joints and provides an anchor for vessels and nerves.
What is can I expect from a New Life Deep Tissue massage?
The first thing one will notice is that our Deep Tissue starts at 90 minutes. Occasionally 2 hours is needed. Releasing the fascia is key to an effective Deep Tissue. Therefore, more time is needed to reach those deeper layers of muscle. Since each client is different and different each time he/she comes in, your massage may be slightly different than someone else’s or even from the one you had previously.
Along with the basic Swedish Massage techniques of kneading and frictioning, your therapist may choose incorporate other techniques such as these to release tissue:
Passive or Active stretch
Neuromuscular therapy
Hot / Cold therapy
It is important to note, that by communicating your concerns to your therapist before during and/or after any massage, you become a participant and therefore a key player in healing yourself. And that… is just as it should be!