Richmond Deep Tissue Massage Therapy
What is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage is a specialised therapy that reaches beyond the superficial layers of muscle and directly treats the more profound skeletal muscles and fascia.
“Deep tissue work creates physiological changes in the tissue that then create systemic changes,” “By allowing layers to move independently and slide or glide over each other, we can improve the bigger-picture, posture, lengthen the spine, and improve the quality of the soft tissue.”
This technique often involves the therapist using a firmer pressure to reach the key areas and get them to release, which is why this particular massage is often recommended for people who are comfortable with a more intense touch.
Will Deep Tissue Massage Benefit me?
Deep Tissue Massage Therapy provides all the benefits of Sports massage therapy discussed earlier but goes that bit further.
When an athlete’s training schedule is prolonged or unusually intensive this can lead to an “overload” or “tightness” in the more profound muscles of the body. A chronic injury or a propensity for muscle overload which is overlooked or “trained around” will also lead to the same problem. In these cases Deep Tissue work is usually the best remedy.
It is important to remember if you do not consider yourself to be an “athlete” you can still benefit from this type of massage therapy. Your day to day work may involve movement or require a certain posture that can create these symptoms.
Sports Massage Therapy vs Deep Tissue Massage
After fifteen years providing Sports and Deep tissue massage therapy, for me, both disciplines often overlap during a treatment session. As a therapist the pressure I use during treatment is very specific to what I am presented with. There are common techniques within both disciplines and it could be said that the degree of pressure used is the difference.
For these reasons the following article talks about Sports and Deep Tissue Massage Therapy simultaneously. Most therapists will use a mixture of the disciplines they are trained in during a single treatment if it is beneficial to the client and the outcome of the session. Certainly in my experience I have found this to be a very effective method
How experienced is your Deep Tissue & Sports Massage Therapist?
Martin Whitney is a Deep tissue massage and sport massage profesional with 15 years of experience. He skilfully activates muscles and helps patients recover from injuries, pains and postural imbalances. He’s also a qualified personal trainer which allows him to treat and guide his patients with expert advice. He’s been trained in neural muscular activation techniques and his comprehensive massage therapy integrates all his experience and technical know-how to deliver the best deep tissue and sports massage therapy he’s capable of delivering.
“Mastering the application of sports and deep tissue massage takes years of education and experience, not to mention a love of sport. No one modality, technique or approach works every time. It is the love of what you do, and the people you work with, that enable you to perfect your sports and deep tissue massage techniques.”
Deep Tissue Massage & Sports Massage in 2020
“Sports and deep tissue massage is the specific application of massage techniques used to achieve a specific goal.”
That being said the techniques used and the benefits gained with sports and deep tissue massage therapy apply equally to non athletes. Modern day life exposes us all to prolonged incorrect posture, hours sat at a desk, repetitive movements in manual work or long crowded travelling times etc. And this will result in tight muscles, fatigue and if not addressed, in pain and discomfort and possibly minor injuries.
Deep Tissue and Sports Massage is a safe and effective form of treatment, when applied by an experienced professional, to address pain caused by day-to-day life’ stresses to help you stay in top shape, pain free and working at optimum levels.
Three key things to consider when applying Sports & Deep Tissue Massage
Timing
Technique
Intent
Understanding sports and deep tissue massage is never as simple as learning one technique or type of modality … or just “working deep.” A massage therapist who understands the three key principles of sports and deep tissue massage should be able to apply the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time.
2 Physiological benefits of Deep Tissue & Sports Massage
1.Relaxation
2. Pain Reduction
Pain is a sign of overworked and/or injured muscles or connective tissue and is not healthy. Sports & deep tissue massage therapy increases blood and lymph flow, which flushes out waste products, releases tension and stimulates the release of natural endorphins. This all contributes to speeding up the rehabilitation, recovery process and reducing pain.
8 Physical benefits of Deep Tissue & Sport Massage
1. Stretching, Flexibility and Tissue Elasticity
Professional and dedicated amateur athletes can often over-train and this leads to muscle rigidity. Deep tissue & Sports massage therapy can help relax overly tense muscles and provide additional flexibility. Used before a competition it can greatly improve performance.
2. Breaks down scar tissue
Scar tissue is the result of previous injuries or trauma that results in broken fibres and can affect muscle, tendons, and ligaments. As scar tissue is hard and inflexible it can impair movement and cause pain. Massage Therapy breaks down scar tissue to leave the least amount necessary and encourages repair.
3. Opens micro-circulation
4. Pumping
5. Shortens Recovery Time
Exercise and competition is stressful on the body. This will lead to injury if proper precautions are not taken. Sports & deep tissue massage therapy is ideal to help the body deal with this stress and avoid injury. A professional sports massage increases blood and lymph flow, assisting in the body’s natural healing process, speeding up waste removal and general health improvement. Swelling and inflammation associated with physical activity are also reduced.