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What is Deep Tissue Massage? Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons and fascia. Deep tissue massage is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue massage helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two. Why get a Deep Tissue Massage? It feels good and it is beneficial to your health. When muscles are stressed, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. A deep-tissue massage helps loosen muscle tissues, release toxins from muscles and get blood and oxygen circulating properly. Because many toxins are released, it's important to drink plenty of water after a deep-tissue session to help eliminate these toxins from the body. What is the purpose of Deep Tissue Massage? The purpose is to "unstick" the fibers of a muscle while releasing deeply-held patterns of tension, removing toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle. It is both corrective and therapeutic.
What is a Swedish Massage? The term "Swedish Massage" refers to a variety of techniques specifically designed to relax muscles by applying pressure to them against deeper muscles and bones, and rubbing in the same direction as the flow of blood returning to the heart. Swedish massage was developed in the 1700's by a Swedish doctor named Per Henrik Ling. Purpose of Swedish Massage? The main purpose of Swedish massage is to increase the oxygen flow in the blood and release toxins from the muscles. Swedish massage shortens recovery time from muscular strain by flushing the tissues of lactic acid, uric acid, and other metabolic wastes. It increases circulation without increasing heart load. It stretches the ligaments and tendons keeping them supple and pliable. Swedish Massage also stimulates the skin and nervous system and soothes the nerves themselves at the same time. It reduces stress, both emotional and physical, and is suggested in a regular program for stress management. It also has many specific medical uses. Swedish Massage Techniques? Swedish massage techniques include: long strokes, kneading, friction, tapping, percussion, vibration, effleurage, and shaking motions. The usually sequence of techniques are:
Benefits of Swedish Massage? Swedish massage feels good, is relaxing and invigorating. It affects the nerves, muscles, glands, and circulation, while promoting health and well being.
What is Trigger Point Therapy? Trigger point therapy is a bodywork technique that involves the applying of pressure to tender muscle tissue in order to relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. Sometimes massage and trigger point therapy are performed together. Trigger point therapy is also called myofascial trigger point therapy. It was developed by Dr. Janet Travell in the United States in the 1940s. What are Trigger Points? Trigger points are areas of tenderness in a muscle. There are two basic types of trigger points: active and latent. Active trigger points cause muscular pain and will refer pain and tenderness to another area of the body when pressure is applied. Latent trigger points only exhibit pain when compressed, they do not refer pain to other areas of the body. Latent trigger points are believed to be one of the causes of stiff joints and restricted range of motion of old age. Trigger points may be associated with myofascial pain syndromes or fibromyalgia. Trigger points are very common. They are also referred to as muscle knots. Trigger points differ from acupressure points. Acupressure points are concentrations of energy or blockages of the body's energy pathways. Trigger points are physical phenomena that can be felt by touch. The pain caused by trigger points may be the biggest cause of disability and loss of time in the workplace. What Causes Trigger Points? Trigger points have several causes. Some common causes are: birth trauma, an injury sustained in a fall or accident, poor posture, or overexertion. What is the Purpose of Trigger Point Therapy? The purpose of trigger point therapy is to eliminate pain and to re-educate the muscles into pain-free habits. After several treatments, the swelling and stiffness of neuromuscular pain is reduced, range of motion is increased, tension is relieved, and circulation, flexibility and coordination are improved. IntroductionMassage is recorded as one of the earliest forms of physical therapy and it is known that it was used by very different cultures over 3000 years ago. It is only in the much more recent past since travel and communications have enabled different civilizations to meet that so many forms of massage have been developed. In all types of massage the therapist has specific aims in mind, and in sport we focus on the individual needs of the athlete. With the ever growing number of people taking part in sport, combined with the increasing competitiveness and intensity of physical exercise, the demand for sports massage is also increasing and becoming more and more recognized as a skill which may aid recovery and enhance performance. Sports massage does have some aims in common with other forms of massage and it is especially important to have a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, in particular the muscular and skeletal systems. By understanding these systems and the effects of exercise we may also appreciate how massage may benefit the sports person and becomes an integral part of the athlete's training program. Athletes who are looking to improve performance and increase their competitive edge do so by adopting a training schedule to enhance their skill, strength, stamina, suppleness and speed. The degree to which they develop and utilize these qualities will depend on other factors such as the level of competition, the sport played, and possibly their position in a team. However, no matter which sport, the aim is nearly always to systematically increase the level of training and thereby subject the body to gradual and controlled overuse. It is this overuse which may often create problems and imbalances in the soft tissues. If these are ignored and allowed to become chronic, they will not only hinder the athlete's rate of improvement, but also in many cases their performance may well suffer and ultimately the athlete may be susceptible to developing more serious conditions. Certainly if they are unable to perform at their best, they may be more at risk from other more traumatic forms of injury. For example, a player involved in a contact sport who is "carrying" an injury may not have their usual level of agility. The result might be that they might suffer an extrinsic injury because of not being fully prepared for the contact suffered from an unexpected tackle. Benefits of Sports MassageMassage, applied skillfully, is the most effective therapy for releasing muscle tension and restoring balance to the muscular-skeletal system. Received regularly this may help athletes prevent injuries, which might otherwise be caused by overuse. A constant build-up of tension in the muscles from regular activity may lead to stresses on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves. These muscle imbalances may develop and often go undiagnosed until they are serious enough to cause the athlete discomfort or impede performance. The skilled massage therapist will be able to detect variations in the soft tissues and by using the correct techniques, help the sports person maintain a much healthier physical state. It may therefore be reasonably claimed that one of the greatest benefits of sports massage is in helping prevent injury. A few conditions that a Sports Massage could help
Contraindications for Sports MassageThere are times when sports massage could be detrimental rather than beneficial to you. The contra indications to massage are:
Massage TechniquesThere are three main categories of massage which are predominantly used in sport, namely effleurage, Petri sage and frictions. Almost all massage techniques are carried out with the main pressure being directed towards the heart. This helps increase venous and lymphatic flow and ensures that no undue pressure of blood being pushed against closed valves causes any damage to blood vessels. The only exception to this is where short strokes are aimed at stretching muscle fibers. Because the strokes are limited, there is no risk of pressure being built up. EffleurageEffleurage consists of a variety of stroking movements, usually carried out with the whole palm of the hand and fingers, which may be used with varying pressure according to the purpose and stage reached during the massage. Effleurage is always used at the start of massage. The basic movements comprise stroking with firm pressure using a wide surface area of the palm of the hand and fingers. On the return, the therapists' hands maintain, light contact and avoid the path taken on the upward stroke. As with all massage, the hands must be relaxed and molded round the natural contours of the recipient's body. Effleurage is always used to commence any massage session and it has a wide range of purposes which you need to focus on:
Effleurage should be carried out in a rhythmical and relaxed manner starting with light touch at the start of a session and building up to deeper pressure for increased circulation and stretching of tissues later in the massage. It should not be rushed as it is during this phase you need to begin to focus on any abnormalities in the tissues which may require further attention later in the massage, if the movements are performed too quickly, this will not help the client relax and if a "tender" area is missed, it will almost certainly be more painful when discovered using deeper techniques later! Effleurage is also used to complete the massage finishing with light stroking to relax the patient, particularly if more painful movements have been used beforehand. Petri sagePetri sage or kneading is used on deeper tissues for mobilizing fluids, stretching muscle fibers, and inducing relaxation. Some of these techniques are specifically aimed at only deeper tissue and are therefore both ineffective and difficult to perform on narrow parts of the limbs. You must therefore pay particular attention, as with all massage techniques, as to what your purpose is when kneading Petri sage is a powerful technique which is particularly effective in mobilizing fluids in very deep muscles and applying a good stretch to the fibers involved. FrictionsFrictions may be used for exploratory purposes, or for deeper and sometimes more painful movements aimed at breaking down lesions, separating muscle fibers, and even breaking down recent scar tissue. When performing frictions for exploratory purposes we tend to use the sensory pad of the thumb to "grasp" the skin and to move this over the underlying surface to feel for any abnormalities (trigger points) to the tissue concerned. This allows us to palpate, particularly around joints and feel for smaller abnormalities in the tissues. When performing frictions for the purpose of separating muscle fibers, breaking down lesions and scar tissues, firstly the client must be warned that these procedures may indeed be painful or at the very least uncomfortable. They only need to be carried out for a very short while. Using vigorous frictions for any longer than this may have a particularly detrimental effect by irritating and even causing inflammation. |
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