What is Deep Tissue Massage, Anyway?

Published on April 20, 2019 by TheHealthyVillage in Massage Therapy

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What is Deep Tissue Massage, Anyway?

deep tissue massage

 

Many clients ask for a deep tissue massage because they are stiff and sore, and they have painful knots and kinks in their muscles. Deep tissue massage is very popular among athletes and those involved in strenuous physical activity, whether for business or pleasure, and it does indeed have benefits that reach beyond the typical Swedish massage.

 

Swedish vs Deep Tissue: What’s The Difference?

Swedish Massage

A typical Swedish massage uses long sweeping strokes for the purposes of relaxation, loosening the fascia, reducing blood pressure, and stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system. Although a Swedish massage can use a variety of techniques including deep tissue, the primary objective is to relax the client and provide both mental and physiological benefits. A Swedish session primarily benefits the muscles that are close to the surface and the fascia, which is the web-like substance that covers the musculature. Although knots and adhesions may be worked on during a Swedish session of massage, they’re not the focus of the session.

It’s not uncommon for the client to experience some stiffness on the day following a Swedish session, particularly if it’s the client’s first massage or if it’s been a long time since the last massage. This is normal and shouldn’t last long. Drinking ample amounts of water can help alleviate any discomfort.

Deep Tissue Massage

A deep tissue massage focuses on the tissues that lie deeper within the body. Although some of the same techniques may be used in deep tissue that are used in Swedish, the focus of the session is different. Deep tissue massage tries to eliminate the adhesions, trigger points, and knots that may be deep within the tissues and difficult to reach. Deep tissue is a frequent component of sports massage and, like sports massage, isn’t intended for relaxation but for therapy. Left untreated, the knots and adhesions in the muscles can deteriorate into more serious medical issues, so deep tissue work or a sports massage can prevent further muscle damage.

 

Deep Tissue Massage Benefits

The benefits of deep tissue massage far outweigh any momentary discomfort caused by the session. When trigger points are left untreated, they can adversely affect many other parts of the body, depending on the location of the trigger point. For example, a trigger point in the popliteus can result in a restricted function of the hip rotators and the piriformis, resulting in morning stiffness and mobility issues. Trigger points in other areas can be extremely painful and can limit muscle function in the affected tissue as well as those muscles that surround it. They can also cause additional trigger points as the body tries to compensate for the damaged area.

Adhesions can occur in any part of the body, and unresolved adhesions can cause physiological difficulties. A deep tissue massage can alleviate both trigger points and adhesions and restore full function to the affected areas.

 

Pain And Discomfort Of Deep Tissue Massage

The best way to eliminate the pain and discomfort of deep tissue massage is to have regularly scheduled Swedish sessions. Regular massage sessions keep the muscles in good form and free of knots, trigger points, and adhesions that can build up over time. They also help keep the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system functioning efficiently, so metabolic wastes are eliminated and not allowed to accumulate in the tissues.

Another excellent method for eliminating the pain and discomfort of a deep tissue session is to drink ample quantities of water after the session and for at least two to three days subsequent. Water helps reduce blood pressure, which is good for the heart. It also helps in the elimination of metabolic waste, such as lactic acid, which can cause stiffness in the tissues if it’s not removed.

Those clients who haven’t had a massage in a while and want a deep tissue session may experience some stiffness and soreness following the session. However, a deep tissue session shouldn’t cause pain, there should be no bruising, and any residual discomfort shouldn’t last beyond two to three days.

 

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Deep Tissue Massage Benefits An Aching Body

Published on September 21, 2013 by Kyle Barnes in Bodywork, Massage Therapy

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There are many factors in which a person suffers from problems regarding with the body and the health. And the medications of it are also many. However, the price that it will need is quite high that might be another burden of ones pocket. To avoid that from happening, perhaps you may consider the brand new and foolproof pain reducer called deep tissue massage.

This type of massage focuses on the exertion of effort to the deepest layer of muscle tissues, fascia, and tendons. Studies show that it is more effective than the traditional pain relievers. More effective to other methods that are applied to heal the aching body of an individual too. At the same manner, the cost is cheaper compare to other treatments provided for pain patients.

Stress is one of the many factors that stop an individual to perform duties or works properly. As that happens, it will affect the performance gravely. That may even lead to the bombardment of too much problems that will lead her to overreacting or over analyzing the simplest form of things. So to make the story short, it is indeed unhealthy to a person.

Luckily, this new method that is discovered by the purely concern people has helped a lot of people to eliminate all the stress that has been taking the lead to an individual. This provides all the pampering and caring. All because they are needed so that a person will be eased from all the stressful events

The most common target of these pains are those that are playing sports. Sure there are people who hate sports, but at the same manner, there are also other people that can not live without playing their favorite game in the field. Since there is too much exertion of effort, most commonly, it will lead to sprains or other injuries.

Other on the other hand just got used to the same position during the entire day. Certainly, this is not a good idea as it has the power to numb all the muscles of a persons body. So this is why cramps are experienced, because of maintaining the same position all the time.

There are also other postural problems that are held responsible to the person having a great weight of burden to the shoulder of an individual. These postures are important so that one will be able to do the task that they need to do. It usually happens to the persons who are already aging.

In all honesty, this was first practiced on the bodies of the injured athletes. They will undergo to this treatment as it was prescribed by their physician. They provide the utmost care that they need for the strong and painstaking game they had in the field.

Now, even on the posture problems, they are also used. Deep tissue massage has a lot more benefits than one could ever imagine. When in need of this treatment, you need to look for the clinics that provide the service.

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Applications of Myofascial Release Therapy

Published on September 2, 2013 by Amanda Baird in Bodywork, Massage Therapy

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Massage features as part of the broad discipline of medicine. This kind of treatment uses different techniques aiming to loosen soft tissues within the body. The therapeutic modality targets soft tissues because they are usually the places where stress affects the most. Folks who lead very stressful and busy lives commonly get joint pains, or occasionally in the overworked large areas, for example, back musculature, the neck and lower limbs. This marks the entry point for myofascial release therapy.

As time proceeds, these places keep accumulating stress. It keeps going up to the point whereby someone commences feeling as though they picked up a sports-type injury, although in reality the person may be quite inactive. In such circumstances, myofascial release therapy helps a lot. It does so through physical stimulation of the soft tissues facilitating their relaxation. This is one of the quick fix ways of solving this kind of problem.

This treatment is another form of massage therapy. However, it is different from the deep tissue one in two ways. The first difference is that it targets body fascia. Fascia is also a body soft tissue. As connective tissue they join different tissues.

The reason why this therapy targets fascia is because these soft tissue have close interaction with the affected muscles. As wear and tenderness develops mainly due to stress, the muscles also become more tensed. The resultant tension is responsible for uncoordinated muscle contraction and discomfort. The whole process culminates in connective tissues adjacent to the muscles becoming inflamed. Applying pressure on these soft tissues opens up blood flow. This results in nourishment of inflamed areas brings about relief. Final result is muscle relaxation. The overall outcome is folks beginning to feel much better.

This method occasionally yields better outcomes than direct muscle massaging. This results sometimes because muscles react in the opposing direction to massage. As a means of resisting pressure applied on them, they become tenser. When this happens, therapy becomes counterproductive, and such folks can be given advice to check out myofascial release treatment.

The second difference is that traditional massage involves the use of different pressures, and positions. These are normally designed to stretch out the muscle tissue in order to make it relax. Myofascial therapy on the other hand pinpoints the area in the muscle that has the greatest stress, and uses a relatively hard pressure on it.

The pressure is usually firmly maintained even when the client begins to feel some discomfort. Occasionally, this results in temporary development of tension after treatment. There are small side effects of treatment, and as such should not discourage one from going for treatment. Once these adverse effects are gone one usually is left feeling great.

Myofascial release massage therapy has numerous advantages your body can benefit from. This massage therapy is recommended for those who have physically and psychologically demanding jobs. Finding time for to release stress or relax is usually difficult for these people. This therapy features among the ways of maintain good health via eradication of stress.

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Medical Massage 101: Effective Manual Therapy

Published on July 29, 2013 by TheHealthyVillage in Bodywork, Massage Therapy

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Medical massage is the term used to describe an outcome-based massage. Generally, this is done as a specific treatment target to specific problems that a patient has. These are often given after a thorough evaluation has been done by a trained therapist with the outcome of an assessment being used as the basis for treatment.

Medical massage is a centuries-old practice. In Russia, this has been a popular procedure since the 1700s. Nineteenth-century Europe saw this procedure included in medical books and institutions. It was also made available to people via lay practitioners. Until the recent years, it was called treatment massage or even massage therapy. Nowadays, the term medical massage is being applied.

This terminology has grown in its popularity mostly because of its ability to introduce this type of physical therapy into mainstream society, presenting it in a positive way. More therapists are taking the steps to learn more by furthering their education. These professionals are allowed to bill for these services so long as they have been licensed to work in this field and can show improvement in the condition of their patient.

The practice itself was formed out of the need of the public for hands-on, highly skilled therapists who could treat injuries, as well as chronic pain. The increased in information related to injury rehabilitation, courtesy of groundbreaking work done by Dr Janet G Travell. And, the benefit that patients receive through having this procedure done.

Numerous conditions can be effectively addressed through this practice. People who have carpal tunnel syndrome, piriformis syndrome, sciatica, rotator cuff injuries and fibromyalgia can benefit from this procedure. It is also known to help those who have pain associated with pregnancy, neck or back, injured or bulged disks, restricted fascia, and postural imbalances.

Therapists might also perform this procedure on those who have swelling, trauma injuries, TMJ, headaches, thoracic outlet syndrome, plantar fasciitis, constipation, migraines, and sports, work or auto injuries. It is important to note that the result of this treatment will be different for every individual. Some people may receive better results than others. One or many treatments may be needed before any results are observed. Overall, prices and results will differ.

A standard therapist may make the claim of being one who specializes in massage for medical purposes. Therefore, customers should take the time to look over the training and experience of the therapist offering the services. This is important to ensure that he or she is properly qualified to treat certain conditions.

Medical massage is given to many different people for a variety of purposes. This has been used as treatment for different ailments for many years, all around the world. Nowadays, it has gained more popularity and is applied to treat a variety of injuries, disorders and conditions. The results of these procedures will vary, as will the price of such services. Individuals should check to make sure their therapist is properly licensed and qualified to give this type of treatment.

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Holistic Self-Healing With Reiki

Published on February 2, 2011 by SuzanneOB in Bodywork, Reiki

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Looking for a more natural, holistic way of healing? Want to take control over your own well-being in a more natural way? Did you know that Reiki is just one such way and easy  to learn?

Many people are turning to more natural and holistic ways of dealing with illness and pain. With conventional ways of treatment being not only expensive, but also often having many side effects, alternative treatments are becoming more attractive to patients. People are finding they can take control over their own well-being by using more natural and holistic ways of self healing.

One such alternative or complementary treatment is Reiki. It has gained quite a bit of popularity over the past few decades. It is being offered in most hospitals and hospices nowadays.

If you are like a lot of people, you have heard of Reiki, but do not know exactly what it is. Besides this, many people are unaware of how Reiki can help them and their overall well-being.

Well Reiki is a Japanese form of self-healing and self-development. It is often called energy healing, Spiritual healing or laying on of hands. It is ancient, but said to have been re-discovered in the early 1900’s by a man by the name of Mikao Usui while on a 21-day spiritual retreat in Japan. In Japan, it was originally referred to as, the Reiki cure.

Here in the Westernized World it is commonly referred to as a way of relaxing and de-stressing, therefore allowing one’s own immune system to more optimally do its job.

So just what can one expect from Reiki? Well these are just some of the things it is known for;

  • helping to reduce pain
  • helping to reduce stress
  • boosting and strengthening the immune system
  • increasing energy
  • correcting of insomnia, allowing for sleep
  • increasing your intuition
  • increasing confidence
  • causing deep relaxation and peace
  • helps with letting go of fears
  • helps with releasing unwanted habits
  • aids in the process of detox, reducing side-effects
  • promoting a more positive outlook
  • Reiki is complementary to all other forms of healing, so you can combine it with conventional treatments
  • Reiki has been shown to reduce or even eliminate the side effects of pharmaceuticals
  • in some miraculous healings have even been reported from all types of disease

Reiki is a very easy to learn technique that anyone can learn. One can opt for learning to do it for themselves or by utilizing the services of a Reiki Master. There are three levels of Reiki, Master level being the highest. At this level sending the healing energy over great distances or even to healing past traumas is possible.

With Reiki, you are allowing the flow of Divine energy to work with and through you. Reiki can only help and aid in the healing process. While practicing Reiki there is an ideal to always be kept in mind,-wish harm to none.

All in all this type of energy healing dates as far back as ancient Egypt. It’s funny how people think of it as “new age” when the reality is that “conventional” or “Westernized” medicine is the real “new age”.

So if you are seeking a natural, holistic form of healing, Reiki is a tool that can easily be added to any healing protocol. Reiki is complementary to all other forms of more conventional healing.

For more info on Reiki self healing and to find out how you can easily learn this empowering technique just click here to Learn Reiki. Suzanne OBrien is a Reiki Master, certified Medical Intuitive, certified Reconnective Healer tm,Distant Energy Healer trained in many various healing techniques. She continues to learn all she can about natural and energy healing techniques while teaching and offering services to both pets and people.

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Massage During Pregnancy

Published on December 4, 2007 by TheHealthyVillage in Bodywork, Family, Womens Health

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Massage During PregnancyHey Congratulations you’ve found out your having a baby –What Now!

You’ve heard all the things your friends and family have told about what to expect, Morning sickness, weight gain, pain, swelling Back aches, tiredness need I continue!

But hey there is a plus side to this- the miraculous body transformations altering every system in your body- and with that does come different aches /pains,
SO if you haven’t had a massage before now is a PERFECT time to start! Not only will you benefit from a massage but your little growing life inside you will also.

Bodywork (massage) will ease your pregnant body as it transides through each changing trimester, Improving maternal and infant health in a myriad of ways.

–Eases muscular aches/discomforts
–reduces stress
–Aids in digestion
–enhances blood and lymph circulation
–promotes body and mind awareness
Pregnancy massage will also prepare mother for labour/birth.
Support lactation and can assist in any postpartum depression.

FIRST TRIMESTER MASSAGE
In the first trimester the client is able to lye on her stomach
(obviously if nipple pain is to server) on her side or back.
Deep Pressure points are to be avoided in first trimester,
Long relaxing strokes are great.

SECOND TRIMESTER MASSAGE
In the second trimester the lady may not be able to lay on her stomach so side laying or a pregnancy table is preferred.
From week 13 onwards a small pillow should be placed under her right hip this tilts the pelvis to the left and shifts the uterus off the inferior vena carva (a vein) and facilitating the return of blood to the heart.

THIRD TRIMESTER MASSAGE
After the sixth month of pregnancy the unborn can sense massage of the abdomen and responses to the touch, pregnant women can do their own bellies daily not only when her belly begins to grow but as so as she finds out she is pregnant, moisturizing cream as this is soothing and bonding (great to help with stretch marks) she may even notice her unborn responding to her touch.

The latter stages of pregnancy massage can assist in swollen legs feet, assist lumbar pain /discomfort and help prepare the body for labour and childbirth, plus general feeling of relaxation.

Once the women begins labour, massage can be helpful, the father to be ,can assist in this , circular motions on her lower back can help labour pains, whether she is laying on her side or sitting in chair or bath/shower. This will aid in comfort and reassurance and help him to feel useful.

Massage during labour can assist in reducing anxiety and stress which can stall labour and help replace it with endorphins which will facilitate a healthy labour.

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Tracy, the owner of Knots Corner is a qualified Massage Therapist, who is visited by a great number of clients with a wide range of reasons for a massage, from relaxation to muscular repair, headache relief to everyday stresses. Massage Brisbane

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Unraveling The Practice Of Acupuncture

Published on August 19, 2007 by TheHealthyVillage in Bodywork

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Acupuncture is an alternative healing practice that originated in China. It has been used for centuries to heal a variety of health conditions.

Acupuncture is performed by inserting needles into pressure points around the body. These pressure points are connected to other areas of the body and when they are stimulated they effect those other areas of the body in a positive way. Acupuncture also is based upon the belief of regulating and balancing the energy in the body.

The practice of acupuncture is even backed through scientific studies that have shown it to be effective for a range of conditions, including back pain, neck pain, nausea and headaches.

Acupuncture is best performed by a trained professional as adverse effects could result if done improperly. The risks of acupuncture include infection, bleeding, nerve injury and damage to internal organs if needle is inserted too deeply.

An acupuncture session usually begins with a diagnostic procedure. The diagnostic methods used include inspection, auscultation and olfaction, inquiring and palpation.

Inspection is focused on the face and facial features. The practioner will look at the tongue and the general health of the tongue to get an idea about the patient’s problems.

Auscultation and olfaction involve listening to sounds of the body and inspecting the body smell of the patient.

Inquiring and palpation is the diagnostic method most closely related to modern medical practices. It involves checking for symptoms like fever and pain. It also involves feeling the body for anything out of the ordinary.

Acupuncture is done using stainless steel needles. The needles are wrapped at one end to make a handle for the practioner. The size of the needle and the depth it is inserted really depends on the nature of the acupuncture and the needs of the patient.

Acupuncture has been used all over the world as a recognized treatment method. It is one of the alternative medicine practices that is most recognized and respected by traditional medicine.

Many people have found relief from acupuncture and have been able to avoid using medications or having invasive surgeries. Like many alternative medicines, though, acupuncture is not going to be able to cure everything. It should be used carefully and the advice of the acupuncture practioner should always be followed.

In many cases you can consult with your physician about acupuncture. Because it is so highly recognized by traditional medicine, your doctor may even be able to suggest a good practioner for you to use.
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Kimarie Hazelbaker, PhD, is an award-winning speaker, teacher, medical intuitive and hypnotherapist. Her goal is to help people discover and explore who they truly are, beyond their physical existence. Visit http://www.AncientSecretsRevealed.com for metaphysical and spiritual information for contemporary times.

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Bowtech: A New Holistic Therapy

Published on June 16, 2007 by TheHealthyVillage in Bodywork

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Bowtech term is an abbreviation of the words “Bowen” and “Technique”. It is a holistic vibrational healing therapy which was invented by the Australian physiotherapist Tom Bowen on 1950, while he was trying to find a cure for his wife asthma disease. Tom Bowen used to apply his therapy to injured soldiers of 2nd World War and he generally achieved to relieve pain and treat their contusions. In 1974 the research that had been carried out by Health Ministry of Australia was the cause of Bowtech’s appreciation firstly in Australia and gradually all over the world.

Bowen Technique has a significant difference from the other holistic therapies. Bowtech activates self healing system that every human body is equipped. The therapist with his finger sends messages to body organs and stimulates immunological respond within next hours or days. Other less significant differences between Bowtech and other holistic treatments are:

The therapist touches and “pushes” the body very gently and softly and a result of this Bowtech can be applied even at bad contusions and wounds. The therapist can stimulate every organ of human body and that is why he can promote healing of various conditions, from myalgia to asthma crisis. Although, Bowen Technique has the minor intervention of all holistic therapies, it is the only holistic method which can relief pain instantly.

In order to cure a disease, 4-6 sessions are required, even though we must state that each instance has unique characteristics of tension and difficulty and consequently the therapist must provide the advisable treatment for each condition and patient. Keep in mind that there have been some cases that the patient was fully cured after only one session. If a condition needs more than one session, the patient must wait a week till the next session. This time period is necessary in order body to have the time to start and develop the self healing procedure. Tom Bowen claimed that one therapy session every 2 months can keep us healthy and promote wellbeing.

Bowtech stimulates all organism systems and parts of human body and can promote healing of various diseases. For example, it is beneficial to babies that suffer from collics, while it helps overweight adults who experience backaches. It is proved that Bowtech stimulates muscle, skeletal, respiratory, nervous, lymphatic, circulation, peptic and immune system. As a result, Bowtech is usually used to cure: neck syndrome, headache, migraine, backache, coxalgia, kyphosis, scoliosis, arthritis, myalgia, muscle injury, asthma, allergic rhinitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gynaecological conditions, icterus and collics. Moreover, it can promote quality of life of patients’ who suffer from autoimmune diseases, like disseminated multiple sclerosis, lupus erythematosus and psoriasis type 1.

On the other hand, as we mentioned before, autoimmune conditions are some of the conditions that Bowtech can not totally cure. Additionally, Bowen Technique is ineffective for worn out persons who had many health diseases in the past and unreceptive persons. Bowtech cannot help patient with discontinued tissues (for example, bone fractures or muscle rupture) because the impulse cannot be transmitted to the respective organ or part of human body.

——–George Kakaris lives in Greece and he believes in the power of natural health. Visit his site dedicated to Aromatherapy and read the whole history of Aromatherapy .

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