But is it deep tissue massage?

By: PWT

I saw an advertisement for a spa recently advertising deep tissue massage.  Unfortunately their description showed they didn't even know what deep tissue massage was.  Many therapists think it is just a deep massage with lots of pain.  Anyone can do a deep massage but few have the skills to perform a deep tissue massage.

In actual fact all the spa offered was swedish massage.  "Our aromatherapy massage is swedish massage with essential oils.  Our sports massage is swedish massage with stretching.  Our deep tissue massage is swedish massage with trigger point massage, etc".  You might have noticed a theme - they only do swedish massage and that's fine if you don't pretend it's something else.

The aim of deep tissue massage is to remove chronic restrictions.  To break up the adhesions that restrict movement of the muscles both superficial and deep.  A classic area is the lower back.  Whether it be from injury or chronic stiffness from sedentary habits there is a restriction of movement.  The area is assessed by testing the patient's movement and pain.  Superficial techniques are used to warm up the region first.  Slow, penetrating techniques are then applied to muscle groups.  The therapist should feel the restrictions during the technique and concentrate more time on them.  In many cases the region may be massaged in several planes - contracted, elongated and while moving the region.

Deep tissue massage is really a generic term covering many styles and techniques of massage with a common theme - to remove chronic restrictions.  Try a qualified therapist in deep tissue massage and feel a lot looser.