Deep Tissue
Deep tissue massage is an umbrella term to incorporate different modalities to correct postural imbalances in the body that cause injury.It improves blood pressure, breaks up scar tissue, rehabilitates injured muscles and relieves stress. Many people think that if they aren’t “hurting” after a massage it wasn’t a “deep tissue” that is actually incorrect and a very dangerous belief.
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Deep tissue does NOT mean pressure. Deep tissue massage is very specific work in injured areas of the body in order to release tight muscles and attachments and increase blood flow to the area to begin the healing process.
When it comes to injuries it’s important that your therapist understands fascia. We are wrapped from head to toe in a substance that is made up of densely packed collagen fibers which lies just under the skin, we call superficial fascia. This wrapping is one continuous matrix in that when it gets “tight” in a region of the body the effects can be felt in a completely different area. Having knowledge of this extensive system aids in the therapeutic effect. Finding a therapist with knowledge of Myofascial Release can save you time and money.
The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that deep-tissue massage is more effective and affordable for relieving chronic pain than conventional medical remedies. Because
deep-tissue massage increases the flow of blood through the body, it helps reduce the inflammation that causes pain.
Another modality that falls under Deep Tissue is Trigger Point Therapy. Pain radiates in the body, which means basically that where your “pain” is isn’t necessarily where the problem or cause is. Trigger points are places on the muscles or attachments of muscles where when pressure is applied pain is felt elsewhere in the body. Having knowledge of this aids in your treatment because if a therapist is rubbing only a muscle that feels “pain” then the problem is not being addressed.
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There are some modalities that I believe fall under the umbrella of Deep Tissue that use little to no pressure and yet work as deep in the body as you can get. And that modality is Cranial Sacral Therapy.
Cranial Sacral therapy, (also known as craniosacral therapy) is a gentle, noninvasive form of bodywork that addresses the bones of the head, spinal column and sacrum. The goal is to release compression in those areas, regulating the flow of cerebrospinal fluid which alleviates stress and pain. It has been referred to as the “physician within”. Cranial sacral relaxes the body so deeply that the body’s natural healing properties begin to “correct” structural and physiological functions. I is probably one of the most profound modalities to work with. It takes a whole-person approach to healing and the inter-connections of mind, body and spirit are deeply acknowledged. It is an effective form of treatment for a wide range of illnesses such as migraine headaches, ear infections, ADHD, depression, anxiety, nose bleeds, digestion issues, helping to create the optimal conditions for health, encouraging vitality and facilitating a sense of well-being. It is suitable for people of all ages including babies, children and the elderly, and can be effective in acute or chronic cases.
Reflexology, is also a modality that works as deep as an elbow in the muscle. Reflexology has been around for literally thousands of years and has been researched and tested for decades.It promotes the idea that areas on the foot correspond to areas of the body, and that by manipulating these one can improve health through one's qi (life energy). I is a very helpful technique to use when we cannot treat an area that is inflamed or severely injured,because it allows me to treat that area indirectly through the feet.
