If you have never had a deep tissue massage, you may be missing out on some wonderful benefits to your health. While not everyone needs the intensity of these therapeutic massages, they offer the stimulation needed to improve many health conditions. If you are wondering whether a deep tissue massage is the right option for you, here are a few things you need to know before scheduling your first Reservation.

What is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage is a massage therapy technique that concentrates on realigning and manipulating the deeper layers of muscle and tissue. The massage strokes can be either with or against the muscle grain, usually slower and with more pressure than classic massage. The results are a more intensified massage with focus on relieving tension and pain in specified areas.
The slow, calculated strokes used in deep tissue massage help breakdown pockets of tense tissue that can cause pain, inflammation or reduce range of motion and circulation. By concentrating pressure on these specific points, this tension is released, allowing for better circulation and range of motion in muscles.
When is Deep Tissue Massage Recommended?
While deep tissue massage may be incorporated into any our custom massages at Massage Heights, it is usually used as a therapeutic remedy for certain muscle or health conditions. Some of the health conditions that can be improved with this particular type of massage include:

Chronic pain
Osteoarthritis
Muscle injuries- commonly whiplash or sports injuries
Sciatica
Muscle tension, strain or spasms
Carpal tunnel or tennis elbow
What Should I Do Before and After My Deep Tissue Massage?
If you are scheduling your first deep tissue massage, make sure you limit your food intake before the appointment. Do not eat a heavy meal or drink a large amount of liquids in the hours before your massage. Deep tissue massage requires intense pressure, which can be uncomfortable if your stomach is full or trying to digest a large meal.
For a deep tissue massage to be effective, you must be relaxed. Make sure to arrive to your appointment a few minutes early to unwind and get ready to allow your body to relax.
After your massage, drink plenty of water to help your body recover from the massage and flush any released toxins from your system. Your massage therapist may recommend icing inflamed areas if necessary. In some cases, there may be tenderness after these sessions due to the pressure used; however, it is usually minimal, followed by reduced pain in the troubled areas.
Deep tissue massage can be an amazing wellness tool to help relieve pain and improve your health. Talk to one of our expert Massage Therapists at Massage Heights about whether this technique would be beneficial for your specific health needs.