6 Major Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage | Massage Queenstown

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What is Deep Tissue massage?

One of the biggest misconceptions about a deep tissue massage is that it is just a firmer pressure. Although deep tissue massage does use a firmer pressure than a relaxation massage, the biggest difference is really in the technique. A deep tissue massage is slow and specific. Your massage therapist will stop and hold tight spots, knots and trigger points in order to help them release. Additionally, your therapist will focus on helping break up fascia, increasing blood flow to unhealthy muscles, and increase your range of motion. 

What is the difference between Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage and Remedial Massage?

Deep Tissue Massage: A deep tissue massage is a more general form of massage with a firmer pressure that focuses on muscles throughout the whole body including the deeper layers of soft tissue. When you receive a deep tissue massage, it should be a ‘hurt-so-good’ feeling rather than painful. 

Sports Massage: Sports massage is a specific form of massage that aims to help with sport performance and prevent injuries due to sport. It is often done fully clothed and includes stretching and movement in order to increase range of motion and flexibility. Although you can have a full body sports massage, it predominantly focuses on specific areas that are necessary for the athlete to perform to their full potential and avoid injury.

Remedial Massage: Generally a remedial massage is used to treat a specific area or an injury on the body that is causing pain, and isn’t always deep tissue. It incorporates muscles, ligaments, tendons and fascia as well as various techniques such as stretching and active release in order to achieve the desired results.

What are the benefits of a Deep Tissue Massage?

1. Release waste and toxins: When a muscle is tight or has developed a trigger point, it means that the cells of the muscle are holding in toxins and waste and aren’t able to function to their full potential. As a deep tissue massage loosens up the muscles, it allows for the toxins and waste to leave the muscles and brings oxygen and nutrients to the tissue, which then allows your body to recover faster. 
2. Perform better: When the muscles get loosened up, it allows you to have increased flexibility and range of motion, which then in turn helps you perform better. 
3. Injury prevention: If your muscles are able to perform to their full potential, you are less likely to overcompensate with other parts of the body. Additionally, your joints are able to function properly, which in turn helps you avoid injury. 
4. Decreased pain: By releasing the tight spots and trigger points, deep tissue massage will decrease your daily pain. This, paired with the increased blood flow allows you to recover from injuries and pain faster. 
5. Decreases stress: Massage allows your body to decrease production of cortisol, which is the hormone your body releases when it is stressed. Simultaneously it increases your body’s production of feel good hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. 
6. Improves sleep: The lowered production of cortisol and increased state of relaxation allows your body to sleep better. 

So what’s the best Deep Tissue Massage routine?

For general maintenance, we recommend getting a 60 minute deep tissue massage once a month. If you are training for something, we recommend getting a 90 minute deep tissue massage every 2 weeks until your competition. 

The reason? The more regularly you get massaged, the more accustomed your body gets to releasing. What this means is that the more regularly you get massaged, your muscles will release faster, which in turn will allow your massage therapist to work into the deeper muscles sooner. And because your muscles will be getting loosened more often, you won’t be as tight for each following appointment, which will improve your muscle’s long-term health.

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