A type of massage therapy, deep tissue massage involves the application of hard pressure and slow strokes to reach deeper layers of muscle and fascia (connective tissue surrounding the muscle). It is used for chronic aches and pains and contracted areas such as stiffness of the neck and upper back, back pain, leg muscle tightness and sore shoulders.

 Potential benefits

Deep tissue massage usually focuses on a specific problem, such as chronic muscle pain, rehabilitation of injuries, and the following conditions:

    Backache
    Limited mobility
    Injury Recovery (eg Whiplash, Fall)
    Recurrent damage to a strain such as carpal tunnel syndrome
    Postural problems
    Muscle tension in calves, buttocks, IT band, legs, quadriceps, rhomboids, upper back
    Pain in osteoarthritis
    sciatica
    Syndrome on Piriformis
    Tennis elbow
    fibromyalgia
    Upper back or neck pain

Not all of these benefits are scientifically proven, but according to Consumer Reports magazine, 34,000 people ranked deep tissue massage more effectively to relieve osteoarthritis pain than physiotherapy, exercise, prescription drugs, chiropractic, acupuncture, diet, and glucose medicine recipe.

Deep tissue massage also received the highest rank for fibromyalgia pain. People often notice an improved range of motion immediately after a deep tissue massage.

If you are interested in massage to prevent sports injuries, address sports-specific problems, or help with muscle recovery after sports, consider getting a sports massage.

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What to expect

While some of the strokes may feel the same as those used in Swedish massage therapy, deep tissue massage is not a stronger version of Swedish massage.

Deep tissue massage techniques are used to break down scars and physically destroy muscle 'nodes' or adhesions (bands of painful, hard tissue) that can disrupt circulation and cause pain, limited range of motion and inflammation.

At the beginning of a deep tissue massage, light pressure is usually applied to warm and train the muscles. Specific techniques are then applied.

Common techniques include:

    stripping: Deep, sliding pressure along the muscle fibers, using the elbow, forearm, toes and toes.
    Friction: Pressure is applied to the nipple of a muscle to release adhesions and rearrange tissue fibers.

Massage therapists can use their fingertips, knuckles, arms, elbows and forearms during a deep tissue massage. You may be asked to breathe deeply while the massage therapist works on intense stretches.

After the massage you may feel some stiffness or soreness, but it should disappear within a day or two. Be sure to contact your massage therapist if you have concerns or if you feel pain after a massage.

Drinking water after a massage can help flush out metabolic tissue waste.