About Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic or deep tissue massage is designed to get into the connective tissue of the body rather than just the surface muscles. When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limiting movement and increasing inflammation. Therapeutic massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement. To do this, the massage therapist uses lotion and a variety of techniques to deeply penetrate the muscles and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints), loosening them and releasing tension. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia. Many clients feel that therapeutic massage is more beneficial than regular relaxation massage as it addresses deep-seated muscle pains.

Benefits of Therapeutic Massage

Therapeutic massage (also known as deep tissue massage) usually focuses on a specific problem such as chronic muscle pain, injury or rehabilitation. It is particularly useful for the following conditions: limited mobility, postural problems, lower back pain, chronic pain and muscle tension in the hamstrings, glutes, IT band, legs, quadriceps, rhomboids and upper back.

Therapeutic massage also reduces stress hormone levels and heart rate while simultaneously boosting mood and relaxation. This is because therapeutic massage triggers the release of the hormones oxytocin and serotonin, which play a role in positive emotions such as happiness, love, optimism and satisfaction. Like any other massage, therapeutic massage is most beneficial when undertaken on a regular basis.