Types of Massage

Deep Tissue Massage
Deep Tissue Massage differs from Swedish massage therapy in that Deep Tissue Massage therapy involves a deeper touch, isolating specific muscles in order to lengthen and separate muscle groups from surrounding tissue that keep the muscle from operating efficiently. Deep tissue massage therapy helps the body to move more freely, thereby reducing the chance of injury.

Scar tissue from injuries and restriction in the tissue caused by poor posture or repeated movement patterns can be successfully broken up by a deep tissue massage. This helps the body to maintain its natural equilibrium and balance in day-to-day activities.

Many techniques are used in deep tissue therapy such as trigger point, myofacial release, muscle energy technique, proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF), isokinetic exercise, manual traction, soft tissue release and many others.

• Trigger Point: Localized cramps that develop within a muscle, causing a loss in range of motion, soreness, and radiated pain to other parts of the body. These radiated pains can be the source of headaches and back pain, which are the most common complaints. This is the most common reason for people to want a deep tissue massage.

These cramps, or knots, in effect shorten the muscle the way tying a knot in a rope will shorten the rope. The muscles can't reach or stretch as far as they normally could, so when affected muscle is used, it can be painful or even cause the muscle tissue to tear. Direct pressure to these cramps by receiving a deep tissue massage, helps to release the contraction, bringing normal blood flow to the area.

• Muscle Energy Techniques (MET): Soft tissue manipulative methods in which the client, on request, actively uses his muscles from a controlled position, in a specific direction, with mild effort against a precise counterforce.

• Therapeutic Exercise: Isokinetic exercise is on example of a therapeutic exercise for range of motion. Therapeutic exercises are used to restore muscle tone, reduce muscle spasms and adhesions, restore ligament and muscle elasticity and strengthen ligaments and muscles, increase blood flow to deep tissues, and improve range of motion.

• Neuromuscular Reeducation: Reducation of movement, balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture and or proprioception. Used to release and clear tension, restrictions and holding patterns in soft and deep tissues, reorganize musculoskeletal balancing and support balance posture. An active contraction is performed against resistance. This contraction causes a reflex relaxation of the muscle that the individual is trying to stretch. A passive assist facilitates the subsequent stretching of the muscle.

• Soft Tissue Release: This therapy combines compression, direct pressure to target muscle & extension. Scar tissue is broken up, the muscle is lengthened, muscle memory is restored and relief from pain starts immediately.

• Myofascial Release: Incorporates gentle but firm holding and stretching of the areas of the body that are painful, tight or stiff. Myofascia covers all muscles, organs and internal structures of the body and can become constricted with stress, injury, disease processes or surgical procedures. The release of the myofascia results in increased comfort, mobility and flexibility

Deep Tissue Massage key benefits include:

• Improved movement and body functioning
• Fewer, less intense, or elimination of headaches and chronic pain
• Improved metabolism and general health

Deep tissue therapy may help with specific problems including but not limited to:

• Back, neck, leg, arm or shoulder pain
• Sports injuries
• Problems with posture
• Headaches
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or other repetitive strain injuries
• Computer-related strain/injury
• Other work-related injuries
• Car accident injuries such as whiplash or other traumas
• Rehabilitation
• Restriction of motion