the body sage
deep tissue massage
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE
At our massage clinic in Bedford, we specialise in deep tissue massage. Deep tissue massage is a generic term used to describe any form of massage that penetrates beyond the layers of skin and into the muscles. Many different types of massage therapy can be described as a deep tissue treatment (including sports massage) and will vary from therapist to therapist.
If you’re looking for a firm treatment to help you relax and unwind, then a deep tissue massage may be just what you’re looking for. If however, you’re looking for a massage to help treat some form of muscular pain, then we recommend looking for a deep tissue sports massage therapist who is specifically trained to treat these problems.
At our massage clinic in Bedford, our deep tissue massages are only carried out by qualified sports massage therapists and as such are suitable for treating most forms of muscle pain and physical dysfunction.
What can I expect?
Deep tissue massage techniques are used to break up scar tissue and physically break down muscle “knots” or adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) that can disrupt circulation and cause pain, limited range of motion, and inflammation.
At the beginning of your massage, the therapist will generally start with light pressure to warm up and prep your muscles. They then use techniques called ‘stripping’ (deep pressure along the length of the muscle fibres using the elbow, forearm, thumbs and knuckles) and ‘friction’ (pressure applied across the grain of a muscle to release adhesions and realign tissue fibres).
After your massage it isn’t uncommon to feel stiff and sore but this usually goes within a day or two.
Drinking plenty of water after your massage may help to flush your metabolic waste from your tissues.
DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you use any other forms of massage therapy besides sports massage? Yes. We also use Chinese Tui Na, Dry Cupping Therapy, Myofascial Cupping Therapy, and on occasion a little bit of Gua Sha. If there’s a technique that works for a particular purpose we’ll use for that purpose.
What conditions does deep tissue massage treat? If something hurts or just isn’t working properly, then we can probably treat it. If we can’t, we’ll tell you what you need to know and/or refer you accordingly.
I’ve had a deep tissue massage from a Swedish Massage Therapist in the past, how is what you do any different? Swedish massage can be great for relaxing as it focuses on the largest sensory organ in the human body – the skin. Sports massage and Swedish massage may share some similar techniques, but on a deep level are very different treatments.
Do you do full body massage? No. A full body deep tissue treatment takes a couple of hours to do properly and is exhausting for the therapist and client! In our experience, shorter targeted treatments are more effective.
What other forms of deep tissue massage are there? Many traditional ethnic forms of massage can be considered as deep tissue, although many do utilise a deep stretching component. The most common ones would be things like Thai massage, Turkish massage, Shiatsu and Chinese Tu Na.
I’m confused as to what sort of massage I require, how do I know what to choose? If you’re unsure what type of treatment you need, give us a call, we’re happy to give advice!