Unleash Your Best Self: 5 Powerful Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
Updated: May 22
About | Benefits | Is it Painful | How Often | Limitations
Aching muscles got you down? Deep tissue massage goes beyond relaxation, digging deep to relieve chronic upper and lower back pain, improve flexibility, and boost athletic performance. Get ready to unleash your inner champion—dive into the long-term benefits of Sports and deep tissue massage!
Whether you are very active and sporty, recovering from an injury or illness, or you sit at a desk all day and wonder how to get rid of that upper & lower back pain, Sports & Deep tissue massage likely have some benefits to offer you.
Our signature Deep tissue massage London is in fact by far the most popular Massage therapy treatment across all our clinics.
Deep Tissue Massage is a type of massage therapy in which we manipulate both the superficial and deep layers of muscle and the surrounding tissues tissue, such as the fascia and the tissue supporting the joints. By breaking adhesion at such a deeper lever, we aim to relax and release old patterns that restrict movement.
A deep tissue massage targets deep layers of muscle and the surrounding tissues. Massage therapists usually start by warming up the body with a medium pressure. Then to access deeper layer of the muscular system, continue to massage slowly with a firm or very firm pressure.
Research suggests that Deep tissue massage can effectively treat conditions such as stress, anxiety and chronic lower back pain. The effect is enhanced when it is combined with other alternative therapies, such as Acupuncture and Cupping therapy.
What Are The London Term Benefits Of Deep Tissue Massage?
Protein, stretching and hydration, that are all proven ways of effectively cooling down after vigorous exercise. Deep tissue massage is the other best thing you can do to speed the healing and repairing of your muscles.
Besides the significant impact it has on muscle recovery, deep tissue massage can help you relax and make stress and anxiety a distant memory.
Let's have a look at the main Deep tissue massage benefits more in details.
1. Chronic Lower Back Pain
Research, like a 2014 study, suggests deep tissue massage can be as effective as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen in managing chronic lower back pain. Unlike NSAIDs, which primarily mask pain, deep tissue massage can address the underlying cause by restoring proper muscle function and mobility. This translates to longer-lasting pain relief and improved overall well-being.
Deep tissue massage seems to be best massage for back pain. So it may be the most effective to treat muscular pain when compared to other form of massage therapy, because its action at a deeper tissue level.
2. High Blood Pressure
This study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed how deep tissue massage can help to reduce high blood pressure. Because it has a positive impact on both systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.
3. Stress And Anxiety
Massage therapies and other alternative medicine treatments such acupuncture can all help with psychological stress. A well-known effect of massage is the stimulation and release of the so called “happy hormones” like serotonin and oxytocin.
Beyond its physical benefits, deep tissue massage acts as a double-edged sword against stress. It stimulates the production of oxytocin, which is a hormone that relaxes the body and produces soothing effects. It also help to combat and lower cortisol, which is the stress hormone. This powerful combination makes it an excellent choice as a stress relief massage.
4. Scar Tissue And Adhesions
Adhesions can result from the build up of lactic acid in muscles. This can happen both during exercise, but in our everyday life activities. When we are stressed, sleep poorly, or don’t stretch enough we tend to breath only in a shallow way. This lack of oxygen creates lactic acid, thus causing adhesions. This process leads to pain, inflammation and restricted movement.
Another Sports & Deep tissue massage benefit is their effectiveness in breaking scar tissue and adhesions. These are usually known as the “muscle knots”. During a treatment we can focus on a specific affected area. By increasing the pressure gradually we can access and break deep adhesions. We can restore the circulation to those muscle fibres and help them to heal.
Another research suggests deep tissue massage can speed up injury recovery. Because it breaks up the newly forming scar tissue, that usually lead to stiffness.
Besides, deep tissue massages improve lymphatic circulation and drainage. It increases flexibility and range of motion in the area of the scar tissue. That’s why it is particularly recommended for those recovering from surgery. Because deep tissue massage can definitely help to minimise scar tissue.
5. Improves Athletic Recovery And Performance
Nowadays most athletes incorporate Sports massage as a regular part of their workout because of its incredible benefits. In fact, it is used frequently to treat sports-related injuries. Because it instantly improves lactate clearance and delay the onset of muscle fatigue and soreness.
Studies show how it is effective to prevent injury and allow faster muscle recovery. Because it oxygenates the deep tissue layers and stimulates the movement of toxins from your muscles.
Deep tissue massage can be a valuable tool for runners, especially when incorporated strategically into their marathon training plan.
Furthermore, as we mentioned above, massage therapy has calming and relaxing effects. So these psychological benefits can help athletes to improve focus and confidence.
Is Deep Tissue Massage Painful?
Sometimes you may feel a little pain when the massage therapist applies a stronger pressure on certain points, which may be particularly tight. But a deep tissue massage should not hurt to a degree that you feel repeatedly uncomfortable or in severe pain.
At A to Zen therapies, we always encourage our clients to keep an open dialogue throughout any treatment. So we can quickly adjust the pressure and you feel comfortable again.
Pressure is very important in Deep tissue massage. Because it’s one of the tool we use to access and break adhesions that are deep under the skin, relieving pain and freeing up the muscles to move properly.
Our deep tissue massage therapists will help you to relax during this treatment. They will guide your breathing as deep breathing can increase a lot the effects of such therapy. Deep breathing can also help the practitioner to access and free even deeper layers of muscle tension.
It is quite common to experience some muscle soreness after a deep tissue massage, especially if you only receive massage therapy occasionally. But any post-treatment pain should be disappear within a day or so. Bruising is uncommon, unless you are very sensitive to touch.
The reason why you may experience after treatment soreness is that deep tissue massage strongly encourages toxins and lactic acid to leave the body. This process can cause some degree of pain. Drinking plenty of water is one of the simplest and most effective way to make to speed recovery. Because it assists the delivery of nutrients to recovering muscles.
How Often Shall I Get A Deep Tissue Massage?
While we recommend a different course of treatments depending on the individual situation, frequency and length of treatment can vary greatly.
In general we would suggest:
twice a week if you recover from an injury
every week or other week if you want some support to find release from stress and anxiety
once per month for general wellbeing
Limitations
People may experience discomfort during a deep tissue massage, particularly if a therapist targets problem areas. They can let their massage therapist know if a massage becomes too painful.
Deep tissue massage is generally safe. But we would recommend another form of massage therapy or an acupuncture treatment in case you have:
increased risk of injury, such as bone fractures
a blood clotting disorder
nerve injury
older age
any recent surgery or chemotherapy
wounds or skin conditions
hernia
We hope you now understand the Long term Sports and Deep tissue massage benefits and why it should become a part of your recovery routine if you exercise. So why wait? Book today our signature deep tissue massage in London!