What To Do When Scheduling A Deep Tissue Massage

Massage therapy is a form of massage that aims to manipulate the fascia that connects your muscles. It's performed using intense pressure, which allows your massage therapist to affect the deeper layers of muscle beneath the surface of your skin. Here are four things you should do when you're ready to schedule a deep tissue massage:

1. Understand the difference between deep tissue massage and other types.

There are many types of massage therapy that all serve different purposes. In order to have the best massage experience possible, you'll want to pick the right one for your concerns. Unlike Swedish massage, which focuses more on long, gentle strokes to promote relaxation, deep tissue massage is meant to promote healing. Deep tissue massage can help you if you have pulled a muscle or otherwise hurt yourself while doing a physical activity. It can also help work out stiffness and pain in your back caused by sitting for extended periods of time.

2. Communicate clearly.

Your massage therapist will use a significant amount of pressure while giving you a therapeutic massage. At times, you may feel a slight discomfort as they manipulate your muscles, but you shouldn't feel intense pain. Make sure you communicate with your massage therapists as appropriate. Let them know if anything hurts so they can adjust their technique. Remember that the purpose of a deep tissue massage is overall wellness; it isn't a competition to see if you can withstand excessive amounts of discomfort.

3. Choose a targeted area for your massage.

Swedish massage is typically performed over the whole body. Deep tissue massage is different because it's most effective when targeted to a specific area. Tell your massage therapist which parts of your body have been troubling you. This will allow them to spend the majority of their time working on that specific area. Concentrated deep tissue massage can help relieve chronic pain and stiffness. It can even help dissolve internal scar tissue that is causing a reduced range of motion.

4. Schedule additional massage sessions.

Massage therapy is most effective when it's performed on a regular basis. Getting a deep tissue massage once may help you feel better, but if you would like to receive continuing benefits, you should schedule additional massage sessions. Your massage therapist can let you know how many deep tissue massage sessions they recommend to help you recover from a sports injury or any other condition.