What is Deep Tissue Massage?
A simple answer might be that it is the systematic releasing of chronic tension patterns in connective tissue, which is accomplished through the application of a deep, slow and sensitive touch. The technique is applied with an understanding of the structural relationships within the body, and the overall effect is to help the body to find an improved postural balance. Most importantly, Deep Tissue Massage is not a ‘hard' massage, which is simply the result of exerting more effort. Deep Tissue Massage is not painful, and can actually be deeply relaxing. Deep work is certainly not about satisfying misconceptions about painful work being more effective – the fallacy of ‘no pain, no gain'.
While there is no strict demarcation between a ‘regular' massage and deep tissue work, in Deep Tissue Massage there is less emphasis on pleasure as the primary goal and more on altering structure and muscle restrictions. This is not to say that deep work is not pleasurable. Most clients, once they are accustomed to the benefits of deep tissue work, prefer the increased degree of relaxation and the longer lasting benefits. The alleviation of pain, the facilitation of better posture, and the creation of more flexibility and fluidity of movement – these are all potential goals which are possible to achieve with Deep Tissue Massage.
Who can benefit from deep tissue work?
Well, almost anyone who is in reasonably good health can benefit from Deep Tissue Massage. However, many of those who experience the most benefit from this technique include athletes, dancers, performance artists, or anyone who is involved in a regular programme of exercise, or who practised physical techniques such as yoga or pilates.
How does Deep Tissue Massage work?
Deep Tissue Massage primarily impacts a specific type of connective tissue called fascia. Fascia is a plastic-like tissue which surrounds each whole muscle and also each individual muscle fibre. The fascia that wraps the whole muscle is called myofascia. The word myofascia connotes the inseperable nature of the muscle tissue (myo-) and its accompanying web of connective tissue (fascia). Myofascia is the layer in which most of the work in Deep Tissue Massage is focussed. This is why the work is often referred to as ‘myofascial release'.
Fascia also wraps around organs, bones, nerves and blood vessels. Every unit in our body is enveloped by fascia. It joins separate entities and establishes spatial relationships. At the same time, all of fascia network with different compartments for the muscles, organs, bones, and so on. Releasing fascial restrictions in an area of the body is not a localised event. The whole network will be affected. Work on the feet can change the alignment of the lumbar spine without the lower back itself actually being touched at all.
In its natural condition, fascia is an elastic, moist tissue. However, under stress fascia becomes rigid and dehydrated. It loses its flexibility, and layers of fascia become ‘glued' together. The main stress factors for fascia are:
When fascia becomes rigid the resulting strain patterns can often pull the bones and joints out of their natural resting places. The posture loses its effortless alignment. Fascia is, however, very plastic and capable of radical change. Tension in the fascial system can be released through a certain kind of touch. This is the kind of touch used in Deep Tissue Massage. The application of slow, deep, precise and sensitive pressure is guided by clear intention. The resulting systematic release allows our bodies to return to a state of balanced alignment, comfortable support and ease of movement.
Sabrina Ryan ICSP (Assoc) Dip ITEC,
Caz Hogan O’Connell ITEC DIP Massage, Lomi Lomi Dip
