A type of massage therapy, deep tissue massage uses firm pressure and slow strokes to reach deeper layers of muscle and fascia      (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). It's used for chronic aches and pain and contracted areas such as a stiff neck and upper back, low back pain, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders.

 

How Does It Work?

While some of the strokes may feel the same as those used in Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage isn't the same as having a regular massage with deep pressure.

It's used to break up scar tissue and physically break down muscle "knots" or adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) that can disrupt circulation and cause pain, limited range of motion, and inflammation.

At the beginning of the massage, lighter pressure is generally applied to warm up and prep the muscles. Specific techniques are then applied. The most common techniques include:

Stripping: Deep, gliding pressure along the length of the muscle fibers using the elbow, forearm, knuckles, and thumbs

Friction: Pressure applied across the grain of a muscle to release adhesions and realign tissue fibers

 

​Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

 

Deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as chronic muscle pain, injury rehabilitation, and the following conditions:

·         Low back pain

·         Limited mobility

·         Recovery from injuries (e.g. whiplash, falls)

·         Repetitive strain injury, such as carpal tunnel syndrome

·         Postural problems

·         Muscle tension in the hamstrings, glutes, IT band, legs, quadriceps, rhomboids, upper back

·         Osteoarthritis pain

·         Sciatica 

·         Sports concerns (runners, athletes)

·         Piriformis syndrome

·         Tennis elbow

·         Fibromyalgia

·         Upper back or neck pain

According to Consumer Reports magazine, 34,000 people ranked deep tissue massage more effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain than physical therapy, exercise, prescription medications, chiropractic, acupuncture, diet, glucosamine, and over-the-counter drugs.

Deep tissue massage also received a top ranking for fibromyalgia pain. People often notice an improved range of motion immediately after a deep tissue massage.