Do you really need deep tissue massage?

If you are searching for deep tissue massage in Port Orange, New Smyrna Beach, or Ponce Inlet, you may want to read this article first. That way you book the massage that is going to be the most beneficial.

Know the Difference between Deep Tissue and Deep Pressure

Many people mistake deep tissue massage for deep pressure massage. There is a difference between a deep tissue massage and a massage with deep pressure. Knowing the difference will help ensure you get the massage you want, need, and paying for.

Here's the difference:

• Deep Tissue Massage. This is a slow-moving massage that focuses on particular areas of the body where people may have trouble. The massage therapist slowly applies pressure in one area to get to deeper layers of muscle and reach a problem area that needs to be worked. This may be appropriate for a chronic issue or old injury where there are adhesions. During this session, you probably will not have a full body massage (at least that is deep tissue, because not all areas need deep tissue work), but rather, certain areas will be more focused on. Deep tissue goes to deeper layers of muscle to get to the bothersome adhesions. The massage may be painful during it, as well as for several days after it. Deep tissue can be helpful for those who have some conditions that warrant deep work on a particular area, but most people do not need deep tissue massage.

• Deep Pressure Massage. When you get a Swedish therapeutic massage, the therapist will do a variety of strokes. Swedish massage, also called traditional massage, is the most common in the world and has many proven benefits. The different strokes used include effleurage (long strokes), petrissage (kneading), friction, etc. The movements can be done on the full body, and they can be done with a pressure that is light, medium, or deeper (firm), depending on the preference of the person getting the massage. The levels are typically light, medium, and firm (which most people refer to as deep pressure). These strokes relax the muscles, increase blood flow, help remove waste, etc. There are many benefits to getting this type of massage, regardless of which pressure level you opt for. Many people believe they want very deep or firm pressure but may not be good candidates for it, and it can be counterproductive. For example, if you are asking for deep pressure and then your muscle is tightening up under it or resisting, it's not the best idea to do it. Whether you want light, medium, or firm pressure is a personal preference and should be discussed with the massage therapist. Most people are best suited for a medium to firm pressure for their massage.

Choose Wisely

Most massage therapists charge a premium for "deep tissue massage," so it is important to make sure that you actually need it and that they have been properly trained in it so that you get what you pay for. Some may simply give you deep or firm pressure but call it deep tissue and charge you more. They know that the public often does not know the difference between deep tissue massage and deep or firm pressure used during massage. Plus, many people have been mistakenly led to believe that they need deep tissue massage or very deep pressure for it to be effective. That is not the case at all.

Massage does not need to be deep or cause pain to get a lot of benefits from it. In fact, when you use too much pressure, you actually lose a lot of the massage benefits. This is called Arndt-Shultz Law, which every massage therapist was taught about in school (or should have been).

Arndt-Shultz Law states, "Weak stimuli activate physiological processes; very strong stimuli inhibit them."

In other words, less is more.

When the muscle is being stimulated with a light to-firm pressure, it will activate the beneficial properties that will induce healing and relief. When there is a strong stimulus or pressure, it will inhibit them. The massage technique does not need to be intense for you to get benefits and have a particular area feel better. The idea of "no pain, no gain" does not apply to massage therapy. Opting for a Swedish therapeutic massage with comfortable pressure will provide many benefits and not leave you hurting. Rather, you will leave feeling great!

Try a relaxing massage at Zensational Massage Therapy, located in Port Orange, and see how great you feel!