Service Description

Deep Tissue Massage Deep Tissue massage is helpful for dealing with chronic aches and pains and contracted areas as with a stiff neck, upper back or low back pain. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same strokes as Swedish but the difference lies in the movements being slower and the pressure being deeper. Concentration is placed on areas of tension and pain in order to access the sub-layer of muscles and fascia (the connective tissue that surrounds all your muscles). When fascia becomes stiff, hard, or stuck to adjacent structures, the outcome is pain and reduced mobility which further causes impaired function. The goal of Deep Tissue massage is to physically break down the adhesions which have formed in muscles, tendons and ligaments and to encourage circulation to and from the affected area(s). These adhesions (knots, as most people refer to them), block circulation and cause pain (and inflammation) which in turn limits your movements. By breaking down the adhesions, pains is relieved and normal movement is restored. Adhesions are caused by soft tissue becoming stiff, hardened and glued together in contracted bands. Deep Tissue massage functions to gently but firmly, work across these bands in order to separate them as well as to lengthen shortened and contracted soft tissue structures. Overuse and injury, as well as long-term muscle tension and poor posture, all contribute to pain and stiffness which in turn can cause muscle fibres to become shortened, as well as the formation of scar tissue (fibrosis). Furthermore, as an injury heals, larger areas of scar tissue will get laid down. Because shortened muscles reduce blood flow to the injury site, inefficient removal of metabolic waste products by the lymphatic system results. Although muscle pain is often a result of overworked muscles due to work related injuries, sports activities or even leisure activities, such as gardening, it can equally be the end-result of long term emotional stress and tension. Please remember that Restorative Massage is well equipped to assist you not only with your physical pain due to physical over-exertion, but also with emotional stress and tension.