What Is Deep Tissue Maintenance Massage?

Deep Tissue is a technique used within many massage styles including Sports Massage.  It is a technique that focuses on releasing restrictions within the deeper layers of muscle tissue, aiming to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, giving a much firmer style of massage therapy.  The purpose is to "unstick" the fibres of a muscle while releasing deeply held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle.  It is both corrective and therapeutic.  When used in rehabilitation as opposed to maintenance, it will not used on new or acute injuries.

Deep Tissue Massage or Myofascial Release has developed over the years to deal with the specific conditions and general tension/stiffness that the human body experiences. It utilises such techniques as NMT (neuromuscular technique) along with the Trigger Point Therapy and on occasion some stretching.

How does it work?

When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep tissue massage (DTM) helps loosen muscle tissues/adhesions, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly.  Fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows, and forearms are all used with long slow strokes.  DTM helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue and usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, you should feel better than ever within a few days.  Due to many toxins being released, it's important to drink plenty of water after a deep tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body.

Who is it good for?

Everyone and anyone, from athletes to office workers.  It is beneficial to your health, improving your flexibility and mobility and relieving stress and strain on the body where chronic tightness/stiffness has set in.  There are of course some people/injuries that massage may not be suitable for, the following list is not exhaustive but is a good guideline:
Suffering with; Infectious Diseases/Skin Diseases, Cancer, Current Diarrhoea/Vomiting, Haemophilia, First Trimester of Pregnancy, Recently Given Birth, Thrombosis.
GP’s approval may be required for: Epilepsy, heart conditions, un-medicated blood pressure issues, Osteoporosis, Bells Palsy, Rheumatism/Arthritis.