Deep Tissue Massage

A Victoria massage therapist's hands apply pressure to a person's back as they lay face down.

Deep Tissue Massage is an advanced form of massage that can really benefit chronic pain sufferers. Deep Tissue Massage is used to release chronic muscular tension using slow strokes, direct compression, trigger point techniques or friction on a focused problem area. Often the movements are directed across the grain of the muscles (cross-fibre) using the fingers, thumbs, or elbows. This is applied with greater pressure and at deeper layers of the muscle than Swedish massage, hence the name Deep Tissue Massage. These techniques reach and release the sub layer of musculature and fascia.Deep Tissue Massage helps with chronic muscular pain and injury rehabilitation. It helps reduce inflammation related pain caused by arthritis and tendonitis.

This technique is often used for athletes. However, it is not just sports people who can reap the benefits of this advanced massage style. If you work in an office, sitting at a desk day after day, or if your work or lifestyle involves you doing many repetitive movements (causing RSI or repetitive strain injuries), then you may also suffer deep tissue injuries.

Massage therapy is also remarkably effective when used as part of a preventive care program. Some examples of general wellness care include pre or post-natal care (pregnancy), infant massage, stress management, sports training, injury prevention and performance enhancement.