Massage Therapy Blog

Who Can and Cannot Undergo Deep Tissue Massage Therapy?

A deep tissue massage therapy, by the name itself, is massage therapy that aims to realign the deeper muscle tissue layers. The deep tissue massage therapy focuses on providing deeper pressure to release tension in the muscles. Deep tissue massage therapy encompasses different techniques.

One is active motion wherein the client is actively participating in the deep tissue massage therapy. The client actively flexes and stretches his body part involved while the Pregnancy Massage Portsmouth RI therapist applies firm pressure upon it. Muscle fiber spread when there is flexion which gives way for the massage therapist to penetrate into deeper tissues.

Another is the passive motion which is just contrary to the active motion. The client just relaxes and does nothing in passive motion. The massage therapist will flex and stretch the client's body part involved. The Massage Therapy Portsmouth RI therapist is mostly doing all the work while the patient relaxes.

Another technique of deep tissue massage therapy is the static pressure. Firm pressure is being applied slowly on the muscles with the use of fingers and elbows,too. Take caution because this technique can lead to bruising and discomfort.

Next is negative pressure in which there is an involvement of suction cups. The suction cups are placed on the body and cause the muscles to expand and separate.

Now we have learned about the variety of techniques, let us go on with the indication and contraindication of deep tissue massage therapy.

Let us take up the indications of deep tissue massage therapy first.

One indication of deep tissue massage therapy is tight contracted muscle fibers. The procedure of the deep tissue massage therapy however must also take into consideration the level of comfort of the client.

Stress is another indication of deep tissue massage therapy. According to research, a deep tissue massage therapy decreases the stress hormones level like the norepinephrine and cortisol. Therefore a deep tissue massage therapy can help relieve stress in patients.

Depressed clients are also indicated to have deep tissue massage therapy. Based on studies, there is an increase in the levels of happy hormones such as the dopamine and serotonin. Depression is decreased when a client undergoes a deep tissue massage therapy.

Now let us proceed to the contraindications of deep tissue massage therapy.

A deep tissue massage therapy is contraindicated to clients with broken bones. The deep tissue massage therapy involves firm pressure and if there is fracture, it may further injure the client.

Clients who have bleeding tendencies are not allowed to have a deep tissue massage therapy because they are at risk for further trauma and may cause bleeding too.

Patients with deep vein thrombosis are contraindicated too because blood clot may be dislodged and move to the heart, brain or lungs.