It’s no secret that massages can be the ultimate tool to help us take charge of our health and overall well being. We all love to treat ourselves to an indulgent massage and benefit from its relaxing properties as it reduces our muscle pain, soothes soreness and make us feel at ease. If you are suffering from chronic back pain (especially lower back pain), you’re feeling stressed or generally stiff, then opting for a deep tissue massage may be the perfect choice for you. This effective therapy applies high levels of pressure on the deepest layers of your muscles, providing huge benefits from relieving muscle pain to improved quality of sleep. For the best results it is recommended to enjoy a deep tissue massage once a week – the perfect way to take care of our bodies more often.
Here are the top ten reasons why it’s time you should go for a deep tissue massage.
Effective pain relief
Other therapies such as the Swedish massage use long strokes with light to mid pressure and is intended for a relaxing experience. However, a deep tissue massage is designed for releasing tension in muscles and connective tissues and is often regarded as one of the most effective massages for pain relief.
Too much sitting causes stiff muscles
Sitting in a chair all day can lead to tight hips, poor circulation and poor posture, this is mainly due to your muscles having to ‘snooze’ for long periods of time. A deep tissue massage can help you combat the effects of sitting by encouraging your muscles to start moving again.
Overcome stress
Deep tissue massages use varying amounts of intense pressure to help reduce your daily stress.
No only does the therapy relieve tight muscles associated with stress, but they’re also great for lowering cortisol levels and increasing oxytocin which help you feel an overall sense of calm.
A better night’s rest
This massage is ideal for promoting better sleep as it helps relax your muscles and reduces any ongoing pain you may be suffering from. After a deep tissue massage, you may significantly look more rested. This is often linked to the release of serotonin during the treatment. In fact, research shows that a one-hour treatment of this relaxing therapy is equivalent to 7-8 hours of sleep for the body – you’re bound to wake up feeling more alert and full of energy.
Promotes faster healing
Known to relax and soften sore muscles in order to relieve tension, deep tissue massages are great for anyone recovering from any exercise-induced injury. The break up of scar tissue and knots improves flexibility and promotes healings by increasing blood flow and reducing any inflammation.
Relieves muscle soreness and chronic pain
Deep tissue massages can positively effect your overall health. If you’re suffering from chronic back pain, plantar fasciitis, leg muscle tightness and other unpleasant injuries/illnesses, your pain could be alleviated through the regular use of this therapy. Chronic pain is a reality for a number of individuals and many believe that a deep tissue massage can present longer lasting results in reducing symptoms compared to most medication – it’s also much less costly.
Boosts circulation
The strokes used in a deep tissue massage focus pressure on the many layers of the muscle, which increases the blood flow and moves blood through blocked areas. This movement is highly effective for reducing inflammation and helps to heal damaged or tense muscles.
Lower blood pressure
As you release tension and reduce stress during a massage, your blood pressure will also tend to drop slightly. Lower blood pressure can reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health complications – a great benefit of a deep tissue massage.
Focus on ‘troubled spots’
With a deep tissue massage, your massage therapist can focus on specific ‘trouble spots’ that may be causing you pain. Informing your massage therapist of any problems such as back pain, arthritis, muscle soreness, or injuries beforehand will allow them to focus on the right areas to relieve your pain.
Improves mobility
Over time, the slow strokes in deep layers of your muscle tissue work out knots and scar tissue, which can increase your mobility and flexibility. Some doctors recommend deep tissue massages while recovering from surgery to help break up scar tissue and recover mobility.