Facts About the Difference Between Deep Tissue and Therapeutic Massage

 Why Massage Therapy?

Having a massage is a terrific way to get a relaxed feeling. Having the trained hands of a profession masseuse work out the knots in your muscles can also help reduce soreness and tension. However, there seems to be a thousand different styles of massage therapy, all claiming to have the best results and benefits. All types of massage are good for making you feel relaxed, getting rid of some stress, and to work out the soreness or stiffness of your muscles.

Different Types of Massage Therapy

Different types of massage therapy target different sources of that soreness and employ different techniques to resolve the discomfort and tension. For example, sports massage aims at specific muscles used in a specific sport. Chair massage is aimed at people in a mobile setting and usually targets the neck, shoulders, and upper back. Swedish massage is the most common form and uses long, slow, rhythmic strokes and patting of the top most layer of muscles.

Two of the most commonly used techniques used in reducing muscle soreness include deep tissue and therapeutic massage. These techniques can be very effective in helping alleviate the chronic pain from sprains, strains, muscle pulls, and cramps. The aim in both is to penetrate deeper than the surface muscle layers and work out areas of tension, poor circulation and nerve damage.

While professional massage therapists may specialize one or more specific techniques, most are familiar with all form of massage therapy. In addition, they have attended many hours of training in human anatomy and physiology in addition to learning the advanced techniques required to perform their work. All massage therapists are required to be licensed and registered and must attend continuing education to keep their credentials current.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is useful for painful and trouble spots like a sore lower back, or lingering muscle injury. By gently probing your muscles with their fingers, the therapist will seek out knots, fibrous adhesions or other key points. While this is not a forceful massage, the therapist will sometimes use their knuckles and elbows, in addition to their fingers and hands. As a patient, you want to feel relaxed and comfortable with your therapist so you can give them feedback on what you are feeling.

Therapeutic Massage Therapy

In therapeutic massage, the aim is the manipulation of the soft tissues to treat any underlying causes of muscular pain. This technique may also be used to treat the nervous system. As a medically-oriented form of massage therapy, the aim is to address tender muscle points, areas of poor blood circulation, damaged or compressed nerves, or biomechanical issues like poor posture or repetitive motion syndrome.

At Oriole Physiotherapy And Rehabilitation Centre, we have trained and skilled therapists who are knowledgeable about the different deep tissue massage techniques to help you overcome many types of pain caused by neuromuscular conditions. Call today for a free consultation.