Deep tissue massage is often touted as the best massage to relieve painful areas. But what is deep tissue massage and why does it vary so much from therapist to therapist?
Technically, deep tissue is a general term for modalities that target tension in the muscles. Saying deep tissue massage is very much like saying fruit instead of the specific fruit you have. There are several modalities that can fall under this blanket term of Deep Tissue.
Deep tissue massage is said to affect deeper layers of the tissue because it often utilizes deeper or heavier techniques. However, the amount of pressure used does not equate to reaching deeper layers of muscle or efficacy of the technique. Often times, lighter work or work to areas of the body related to the area that is experiencing pain are far more effective than pushing or adding more pressure.
Most times the area where you are feeling pain is not that area that needs the specific work. While it does feel good to have that sore area massaged, finding the area that is causing that pain will produce longer lasting results. Trigger Point Therapy, a specific modality that fall sunder the deep tissue umbrella, aims to prove this. Trigger Point Therapy suggests that certain places in the body have referral patterns associated with them. By pressing on a specific spot, you an reduce the pain sensation in a specific area of the body. This area may be close or farther away from the site of pain depending on the spot.
A massage therapist can feel tissue and texture changes in your body. They cannot feel areas that are painful. No one can tell you what hurts in your body. Tissue changes are information and not always indicative of something that is painful. Pain is an output and that is a conversation for another day.
It is always important for you to communicate with your massage therapist about pressure and areas that hurt. If your therapist will not lighten up when things are painful, you may leave with more pain or bruising. Pain is not a sign that something is being worked out well and can often lead to more issues. Discomfort can be expected when receiving deep tissue massage, though is also not a sign that something is being released. Your massage does not need to hurt to be effective.