Massage services have witnessed rampant growth in recent years. According to research, around 15.4 million American adults (6.9 percent) and 385,000 children (0.7 percent) have availed massage services. These numbers are expected to increase in the future, with research suggesting an expected growth of 26 percent between 2016 and 2026. This rate is a lot faster compared to similar health and wellness services.
Read more: Deep Tissue Massage 101: What to Expect?There are many different types of massages available, each requiring unique techniques and serving a different purpose. However, certain massages are more popular than the others, such as deep tissue massage. It is one of the most requested massage services, working wonders for your mind and body. Not only does it enhance mental well-being, but it also eases chronic pain and muscle soreness.
However, it is vital to prepare adequately and understand what you should expect before booking your massage appointment. This will help you make the most of your massage experience. Therefore, if it is your first experience with deep tissue massage, keep reading.
This blog will serve as a guide to deep tissue massage, helping you understand what you should expect.
What is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage is a specific type of body massage that focuses on the fascia and deep layers of the muscles in your body. It is primarily used for musculoskeletal issues, like strains and sports injuries. Generally, the therapist applies firm pressure using slow yet deep strokes, targeting the innermost layers of your muscles.
This promotes the breakup of scar tissues that build up after an injury and reduces tension in tissue and muscles. This particular type of massage is usually recommended to people who don’t mind an intense touch and massage experience and it produces positive health effects.
It first generates physiological changes in the tissue and then generates systemic changes. This allows the layers beneath your skin to move more independently and slide upon each other, improving overall posture, lengthening the spine, and releasing endorphins in the body.
In addition, deep-tissue massage promotes quicker healing by boosting blood flow and decreasing inflammation.
Where Did Deep Tissue Massage Come From?
Deep tissue massage has been around for a long time. Most people believe it was initially practiced by the ancient Egyptians. However, in modern times, it was used by physicians in Canada in the 19th century to treat things like whiplash. It was introduced in the US in the late 1800s and has been around ever since.
Deep Tissue Massage vs. Other Types of Massage
Deep tissue massage is highly unique and quite different from other types of massage, such as Swedish massage. While both use the same stroking techniques, their purposes are different. Plus, the amount of pressure applied in a deep tissue massage is a lot more intense than the pressure applied in a Swedish massage. Here are some common differences between the two.
Intent
A deep tissue massage is mainly used to treat sports injuries and chronic pain while a Swedish massage is primarily used to promote relaxation and ease muscle tension from daily activities such as sitting at the computer for long hours.
Pressure
Swedish massage is far gentler compared to deep tissue massage. While both types of massages involve the use of palms and fingers to exert pressure, knead, and manipulate muscle tissues, deep tissue massage also involves the use of the elbows and forearms to apply more pressure.
Focus Area
As mentioned above, deep tissue massage focuses on the innermost layers of your muscles. It is commonly used to treat muscle injuries, pain, soreness, and stiffness in any of your joints and major muscle groups.
On the other hand, Swedish massage focuses on the superficial areas of your muscles, areas that tend to hold more tension, such as the neck, shoulder, and back.
What Can You Expect From a Deep Tissue Massage Session?
Before the Session
Before you start with the massage, the massage therapist will likely sit you down and have a detailed conversation with you. This is to allow you to explain any problem areas or injury in more detail. You can either ask for a deep tissue massage for your whole body or one specific area.
You should also take a hot shower before your massage session to help relax your muscles. Inform your massage therapist about any areas that are off limits or any health conditions that they should know about.
It’s best to arrive a few minutes early for your massage appointment and dress in comfortable clothes that are not too tight or fancy. Also, make sure to use the bathroom before your session starts because you don’t want the therapy to get interrupted due to bathroom breaks. Moreover, eat light and stay hydrated before your massage session starts.
During the Massage Session
Once you have prepared adequately and are ready for your massage session, it’s time to relax and unwind. You will likely be asked to take off your clothes and cover yourself with a sheet, lay down on your stomach or back, and relax. The undressing depends on your preferences and comfort. However, the area the massage therapist needs to work on will need to be exposed.
When the massage begins, the therapist will use a subtle touch, warming up the muscles. Once they get warmed up, the therapist will start targeting the problem areas that you had discussed with them before the massage session began. They will probably use deep kneading and stroking techniques with different amounts of deep pressure.
After the Massage
Once your massage session is over, you might experience a little soreness and stiffness in some areas of your body where more pressure was applied. However, this is normal and will subside within a day or two. You can also ask your massage therapist for some more aftercare tips or if you have any queries.
Moreover, it is best to drink lots of water and stay hydrated after your massage as the built-up toxins in your body are on the move due to boosted blood circulation. The more water you drink, the more toxins will flush out from your body.
However, be careful to avoid caffeine and alcohol for a few hours after the massage session, as they can dehydrate your muscles. You can take a warm shower to ease muscle soreness. Try to stretch and refrain from any intense exercise regimens for a few days, as your muscles might experience more pain.
Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massages offer a series of psychological and physical benefits. In contrast to other types of massages that focus more on promoting relaxation, this type of massage plays a significant role in reducing muscle aches and stiffness. However, it does not mean it can’t help you relax mentally. The massage works wonders for enhancing mental well-being as well.
People with the following health conditions can use a deep tissue massage to their advantage:
- Sports injuries
- Fibromyalgia
- High blood pressure
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Sciatica
Here are some common benefits of deep tissue massage you should know:
Deep Tissue Massage Eases Chronic Pain
As mentioned above, deep tissue massage can make a noticeable difference for people with chronic pain. The therapist uses various techniques and hand movements to encourage healing and ease pain. However, it is important to remember that massage therapy alone is not enough to treat people with chronic pain.
Self-care, exercise, diet, and medication play an equally important role. Deep tissue massage can work in combination with other treatments and therapies, improving their overall effectiveness.
Deep Tissue Massage Encourages Movement
Scar tissues form when your body gets injured and starts healing. This is especially common when you tear or damage your ligament, muscles, and tendons. Deep tissue massage can help with these types of tissue scarring, making it easier for you to move and increasing your range of motion.
Deep Tissue Massage Enhances Flexibility
When your muscles are no longer sore and stiff, you will notice you have become more flexible and swift in your movements. You can enjoy a wide variety of sports, physical activities, and exercise without experiencing any major pain or discomfort. This will also help you move around freely and make your daily life a lot easier.
Deep Tissue Massage Helps with Stress Relief
When you are feeling stressed, tired, or burnt out, deep tissue massage can work wonders for your mind. Not only does it make a significant difference in your physical health, but it is also an ideal for your mental health.
Stress is common among adults nowadays, leading to severe issues like insomnia, heart disease, depression, anxiety, high blood pressure, and more. These health conditions and ailments are not good and you can avoid them by managing your stress levels.
Therefore, if you want to keep your stress levels under control and prevent these health issues, deep tissue massage can help you with that. You will feel a lot more refreshed, energized, and calm after a massage session.
Looking for Reputable Deep Tissue Massage Services in Las Vegas?
Now that you know everything about deep tissue massage, get ready to experience the magic for yourself. If you have muscle soreness, stiffness, sports, injuries, or chronic pain, it is time to take care of these issues by reserving your appointment with well-known massage therapists who are well-versed in deep tissue massage in the city of Las Vegas.
As mentioned in the post, deep tissue massage is an excellent way to relieve pain and promote healing. It helps you deal with several ailments. However, you need to know what to expect during a deep tissue massage for a more satisfactory experience.
You will need a service with an expert massage therapist, like the ones at Asian Massage 2 Hotels, who can guide and accommodate your needs 24/7.
We bring authentic Asian massage services to hotels, resorts, motels, inns, etc. We offer the luxury of on-call massage services, and our massage therapists, hailing from East Asia, will be at your doorstep in no less than 20 minutes after you place your call. If you want to save time and enjoy flexibility and comfort on your terms, we are your best bet.
We are a popular 24-hour massage service that provides a variety of Asian massages to our clients. We have expert massage therapists who use numerous techniques derived from East Asian massages from countries like Japan, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, etc., with contemporary massage methods and provide them to you in Sin City.
This is why we are the number one choice for locals and tourists alike. Our services include Chinese massage, full body massage, Asian outcall massage, deep tissue massage, Japanese Nuru massage, and 4-hand massage.
If you are in Las Vegas and want to book your appointment, get in touch with us today.
