Therapeutic Massage vs Deep Tissue Massage
Have you ever heard of the Deep Tissue Massage? If you think it’s the same as regular therapeutic massage then you’re missing out!
Many people think that therapeutic and deep tissue massages are one and the same, actually.
Today, we disprove this common misconception by exploring both types of massages separately.
We’ll also take a look at the pros and cons of each.
Read on to find out more.
To put it briefly, Therapeutic Massage is actually a broad category of massages. The term refers to massages that relieve pain and stress, and most importantly treat specific conditions.
Deep tissue massages are one of the intense subtypes of therapeutic massages. They’re also the most popular one.
It’s important to realize that each therapeutic massage has its own purpose. For this purpose to be achieved, different strokes and different levels of pressure are applied.
The pressure in a therapeutic massage can vary from feather-light to very strong.
It all depends on what your body needs and why you’re booking a massage appointment in the first place.
That’s why mixing up different massages can be a dire mistake!
Therapeutic Massages
Any type of therapeutic massage is mainly meant to reduce pain. It should help with certain injuries or pain resulting from chronic illnesses.
Here are the different variants of therapeutic massage:
Deep Tissue Massage
High pressure is used to release tension from deeper layers of muscles.
Swedish Massage
It reduces stress, helps you relax, and puts you in a better mood.
Trigger-Point
Enhances blood flow to certain trigger points in your body to reduce cramps.
Sports Massage
Beneficial for athletes in general and also good for speedy healing from injuries.
Craniosacral Therapy
A gentle form of therapeutic massage that’s good for stress-relief.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage
A more rhythmical massage that improves the flow of lymphatic fluid.
Myofascial Release
It focuses on the release of tension from muscles.
Perks
Here’s a list of the collective benefits of therapeutic massages:
• Faster recovery from injuries
• Better blood circulation
• Flushing-out toxins and metabolic wastes
• Pain relief
• Release of tension from muscles
• Reduction of spasms and cramps
• Improvement of mood and relief from stress
Side-Effects
Therapeutic massages can result in soreness and fatigue.
If the type of therapeutic massage you had is intense like deep tissue or sports massages, it’s likely that you’ll experience discomfort during and after the session.
Directly after your massage, stay hydrated, rest, and avoid vigorous exercise and stress. This will keep the side effects mild and will ensure they disappear soon.
Deep Tissue Massages
Deep tissue massages are useful for people who have extreme muscle pain due to knots, injuries, or chronic illnesses. For instance, if you have a stiff shoulder or severe neck pain, this is the type of massage you need.
During deep tissue massages, more pressure is applied. Those slow firm strokes reach deeper into your muscles and tissues to release tension.
The increased pressure will leave you in discomfort. However, the pain shouldn’t be excruciating or unbearable.
Perks
As we’ve explained, deep tissue massages are great for pain relief, especially when it comes to chronic conditions. Here are the pros of having a deep tissue massage:
• Relieves adhesions and muscle tension to avoid spasms, stiffness, and pain
• Improves posture
• Enhances flexibility
• Enhances blood circulation
• Decreases symptoms and pain of osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, sciatica, and more
Read more about the benefits of deep tissue massages here.
Side-effects
The side-effects of deep tissue massages can vary from one person to another.
• Light-headedness
• Soreness due to the release of toxins from muscles
• Dehydration
• Exhaustion
To help manage and reduce these side-effects, make sure you supply your body with enough water. This will compensate for the dehydration and will also help counteract the soreness to an extent.
Remember that deep tissue massages can be dangerous for people who have blood clots and people who have recently undergone surgery, chemo, etc. If you have any bone conditions, bruises, or skin infections and such, you should also be very careful.
To learn more about when to avoid getting a deep tissue massage, click here.
Don’t forget to consult with a physician just to be on the safe side.
Summary
The bottom line is that therapeutic massage is an umbrella term. Deep tissue massage is just one variant of this category.
The focus of deep tissue massage is to relieve chronic pain rather than to help put you in a better mood. Nevertheless, other kinds of therapeutic massage can help you relax and rid you of stress as well.
Anyway, the release of tension from your body will leave you feeling great once the side-effects disappear.
However, there are many medical conditions that can make deep tissue massages risky and harmful. Be sure to check with your physician before booking an appointment with a masseuse!