Do you work out regularly, or at least fairly regularly, yet still find yourself feeling discomfort throughout your body? If you do, the next question to ask yourself is how often do you have a massage? If you don’t have one, you’re negatively impacting your muscles post-workout and starving them from a much needed service. A deep tissue massage is definitely the way forward to improve your workouts and your health, but what exactly is one?
What Is A Deep Tissue Massage?
A deep tissue massage is an intense massaging technique which is mainly used to treat musculoskeletal pain caused by things such as sports injuries or sprains. Using slow, deep strokes, a masseuse would work to remove knots, targeting deep inside the muscles and connective tissues to promote healing and reduce scar tissue caused by injury.
What Are The Benefits Of A Deep Tissue Massage?
There are many benefits of a deep tissue massage, both physical and psychological. These benefits include improved reduction in muscle pain and stiffness, relaxation and generally better mental health. Not only that, it also helps to reduce blood pressure and heart rate as well as a whole host of other things.
Is A Deep Tissue Massage Painful?
Although a deep tissue massage should not be painful, it can be a little bit uncomfortable due to the nature of the massaging technique. If the pressure is too much during your session, you should speak up to your masseuse so that they can alter their technique for a more pleasant experience.
How Often Should I Have A Deep Tissue Massage?
The recommended amount of sessions for a deep tissue massage is one massage per week for six weeks. After that, you should have bi-weekly sessions to maintain the benefits. Most people make the common mistake of leaving it too long for a massage and only booking themselves one when they’re struggling in pain. Ensure to book yourself in as regularly as you can to maintain health and avoid a build up of knots in your muscles.
After Session Tips…
After having a deep tissue massage session, you should always ensure to drink plenty of water. Try to avoid your beloved tea or coffee for a day, as water works best. This helps your body to drain away any excess lactic acid which has built up in your tissues. In turn, this promotes healing to ensure that you reap the most benefits from your massage. Similarly, you should always eat after your session to refuel your body. When you have been massaged, your digestive system is sped up, so eating something healthy and fresh is an optimal choice.
You should also ensure to rest plenty after your session as your muscles have just been worked and manipulated. Taking a long, warm bath followed by a nap are the best ways to stay wound down and make the most out of your massage. You can even put some epsom salts into your bath for extra relaxation.
So you’ve decided that a deep tissue massage is for you, now it’s time to book one. You can contact us via our online form here at the Northwich Foot Clinic.
