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Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
A Patient perspective
For the past 15 years, I have had the pleasure of experiencing massages from quite a few massage therapists. The technique that works for me is the Deep Tissue Massage. The benefits of the deep tissue massage are:
- Pressure point hot spots
- Stess and mental relief
- Increased blood flow
About me
After spending many yearssitting in front of the computer from 9 to 5 , I needed a form of massage stress relief. I had spent a number of years trying different massage therapists and different methods of massage, but found that deep tissue massage was the most effective for me. I first tried a light massage, but I constantly fell asleep (a very common occurrence in a massage therapy). I would feel relaxed after a light massage, but I never felt fully satisfied. I also wanted to enjoy the treatment without having the time go by from falling asleep. It came down to asking my therapist to apply more pressure, which changed my life.
Pressure points
Have you ever applied pressure to certain points of your body that felt sore? It’s a sore area, yet when you apply pressure to it, it feels good. That is a trigger or pressure point that most people find relief from. How can a bad spot on pressure point feel so good? My experience says that applying pressure stimulates a sensation to the brain that tells you that you are stimulating your sore spot. Once you apply constant pressure, you feel the soreness subside slowly in seconds - basically relieving tension.
You haven't fully experienced a pressure point massage until you have lain down on a massage table. There are so many pressure points on my back that I had no idea of. A lot of people who have yet to experience a pressure point massage will never have felt areas which commonly cause back problems, which are the mid and lower back. My first experience with pressure points on the mid point and lower back was amazing. I was addicted. Applying pressure to those points stimulated the line of the back to the back of my head. It was wacky, but pleasureful. I asked my massage therapist to add a lot more pressure (deep tissue massage) and the results were heavenly. Once I had experienced it, I was addicted.
Stress and Mental Relief
How can deep tissue massage provide stress relief? You may decide only in certain areas of the body require deep tissue massage. On deep tissue massage, my senses are purely stimulated. I am not falling asleep on the table. I hate to say this, but the deep tissue massage is a "good kind of pain". The pain stimulates my mind, but once applied, relieves the pressure of the sore area. Not only is my massage therapist getting a work out from applying pressure, but I am also sweating from the deep pressure that she is applying. My mind is focused on the pressure point. Because you are focused on the pressure point, you experience mental relief. After I receive deep tissue massage in the back area, I am perspiring. The tightness of the back loosens up and I feel comfortable that I had a good stress and mental relief from my treatment.
Blood Flow
As we get older, circulation of blood flow improves the nourishment of blood cells. The deep tissue massage in my mind pushes the blood to another area in the body and when released, replaces the new blood back into the spot. It is a interesting concept that I think helps replace my tissue with new blood. It makes sense in my mind that when I am tight in a certain area(say my shoulders), a little massage will loosen the tissue and circulate new blood flow to the area. I feel more relaxed because the tightness will be alleviated
Conclusion
Although some people cannot handle a deep tissue massage, it is worth experimenting on areas of tightness with your registered massage therapist. Experiment only on certain areas of the body. It might give the patient a better understanding of their body as the pressure will depend of the threshold of the pain. Always communicate with the massage therapist during this process. It’s a two way street to understanding the right pressure one can apply without giving the patient huge discomfort. Communication, either good or bad, gives the massage therapist great feedback for future treatments. As a patient for 15 years, deep tissue massage has changed my way to positive wellness of my body.