Effects and Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Massages have been used as a healing and relaxation technique for thousands of years. By manipulating the tissues and muscles of a recipient using a combination of pressure, rubbing, stroking, and even heat, various health benefits have been observed.

Main Benefits of Massages

According to the American Massage Association, recent research shows the benefits of massaging for a variety of issues:

• Fatigue or pain caused by cancer
• Back pain and stiffness
• Osteoarthritis in the knee
• Post-operative recovery and pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome relief
• Fibromyalgia
• Boosting the immune system function
• Decreasing the frequency of headaches
• Blood pressure
• Alcohol withdrawal symptoms

Based on data collected between July 2016 to July 2017, here are the primary reasons people in the US get a massage:

 

Other interesting data points:

• 89% of respondents agree massage is effective for pain relief
• 61% of physicians have recommended massaging to their patients

 

Massage strokes can be considered to have one or more of the following effects.

 

Breaking adhesions

Often when a muscle has been overworked, tense, or stationary for a period of time the layers of myofascial within the muscle can become adhered to each other. This restricts circulation to the muscle cells and leads to a build-up of metabolites such as lactic acid. Massage strokes that break this type of adhesions typically involve a cross-fiber component. Consider this image of the muscle structure.

When you apply pressure to the epimysium of the muscle, then apply a cross-fiber force, can you see how the epimysium will tend to rotate around the muscle?

This rotation breaks adhesions between the epimysium and the deeper perimysium.

Now consider the effect of the same stroke on the deeper myofascial of the muscle. When the epimysium rotates, it tends to drag the perimysium with it. The perimysium as it moves pulls on the endomysium. In this way, a simple cross-fiber stroke can work right into the center of a muscle, acting to break myofascial adhesions between many layers of fascia.

Breaking adhesions restores circulation and freedom of movement. The stored metabolites are then able to move back into circulation.

Flushing

After doing some deep tissue work, you should always flush out the area that you have just worked into. The massage will have opened up circulation to the affected muscle, but the metabolic wastes will be sitting in the interstitial fluid. Flushing the area helps to return these metabolites to circulation via the lymphatic system and the cardiovascular system.

The effect of flushing on the lymphatic system

The lymphatic system is driven by a mechanical pumping action. When you flex and extend your elbow, the increased fluid pressure in the fold in the fold of your elbow (i.e. Cubital fossa) acts to push lymphatic fluid into your lymphatic capillaries. Lymphatic vessels are one-way tubes so that when fluid enters the tube it pushes all the fluid in that tube along.

 

Lymph glands act as collection channels and pumps for the lymphatic system. They tend to cluster around the joints because these are the areas that are subject to the greatest changes in fluid pressure.

Any stroke that increases the fluid pressure in the tissues will push fluid into lymphatic capillaries and therefore increase lymphatic flow.

It is typically considered that more superficial strokes have a greater effect on lymphatic return, and that deeper strokes have a greater effect on venous return.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage is a specific bodywork application that aims to maximize this effect. It is used in the hospital treatment of lymphoedema among other things.

The effect of massage on the cardiovascular system

Massage has two main effects on the cardiovascular system.

• Vasodilation
• Increasing venous return

Vasodilation
The application of massages stimulates the release of histamine, which increases the permeability of the capillaries (Hertling & Kessler, 1996) causing local vasodilation. The pinking effect that you get on the tissues after you’ve worked an area is a sign of this increase in blood flow. Local vasodilation increases blood flow into the tissues and blood flow back into circulation. This increases the natural rate of flushing both during the massage, and also after the massage (as movement also has a flushing effect).

Histamine

Histamine is an organic nitrogenous compound involved in local immune responses as well as regulating physiological function in the gut and acting as a neurotransmitter.^[2] Histamine is involved in the inflammatory response. As part of an immune response to foreign pathogens, histamine is produced by basophils and by mast cells found in nearby connective tissues. Histamine increases the permeability of the capillaries to white blood cells and some proteins, to allow them to engage pathogens in the infected tissues.^{[3] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia}

Venous return
Local fluid pressure has some effect on venous flow, but the most significant effect massage has on venous circulation occurs as a result of deep longitudinal strokes in the direction of the heart. Venous return is dependent largely on the pressure exerted by the contraction of muscles on the veins (Marieb, 2004). Deep longitudinal effleurage strokes in the direction of the heart act to increase venous return by pushing blood through the veins.

Influence Of Massage On Circulation 

By: Thanks to Pat Donohue

 

Summary of the effects of massage on circulation

• Increasing fluid pressure will increase lymphatic flow and to a lesser extent venous flow
• More superficial strokes have a greater effect on lymphatic return.
• Deeper strokes have a greater effect on venous return.
• Strokes in the direction of the heart increase circulatory return
• Strokes away from the heart are unlikely to have a major effect on a circulation, as the arterial blood pressure is largely driven by the heart.

Stretching

Although most of the stretching effects of massage occur because of stimulation of the nervous system stimulation, it’s useful to consider them separately because of their importance.

Any massage stroke that engages with the muscle and produces a pull in the direction of the muscle fibers (i.e. a longitudinal stroke) will act to stretch the muscle. The effect on the body is similar to if the client stretched that muscle themselves. Deep longitudinal effleurage on the hamstrings will have a similar effect to the stretch demonstrated here.

The stretching effects of massage are likely to affect the tissues in two ways

• Breaking myofascial adhesions
• Altering muscle balance

When stretching muscles move against each other. This breaks fascial adhesions that may have formed, freeing up movement. Stretching also stimulates the proprioceptors of the muscles leading to either toning (rapid stretching) or relaxation/lengthening (long slow stretches).

Nervous system stimulation

The stimulus provided by massage stimulates a cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters which have some dramatic effects on the client including

• Reducing stress, anxiety & depression
• Improving the ability to relate to others
• More positive perspective
• Improved wound healing and immunity
• Improved sleeping patterns
• Pain reduction

Types of Massages good for Deep Tissue

Neuromuscular Massage Therapy

Neuromuscular massage therapy is a specialized form of manual massage in which digital pressure and friction are used to release areas of strain in a muscle. Strain areas are called tender or trigger points, and they tend to be the cause of ongoing muscular pain symptoms. These trigger points are small areas of the muscle in which there is a contracture of tissue, and the lack of blood and nutrients in that area causes an inability for that muscle to relax. The area is hypersensitive and can cause pain, fatigue, and weakness in the muscle. Trigger points can lead to referral pain, which refers to a phenomenon in which areas far away from the trigger point experience sensations of pain, tingling, or numbness.

Neuromuscular massage therapy involves applying alternating levels of concentrated pressure to the trigger point – usually using the fingers, knuckles, or elbow. Once applied, the pressure should not vary for 10 to 30 seconds.

Neuromuscular Massage vs. Deep Tissue Massage

A deep tissue massage is a form of massage that is generally used to address muscle aches and pains associated with daily stress. Deep tissue massage is usually administered on an on-off basis whenever a client decides they need a bit of extra relaxation and rest.

Neuromuscular massage techniques, on the other hand, are medical in nature. The manual therapy techniques are highly-specialized and are designed to correct pain and movement dysfunction by treating trigger points, muscle adhesions, and connective tissue patterns. The problems are normally caused by a specific trauma, repetitive movements, or even bad posture. Neuromuscular massage is considered an ongoing treatment – not just something a person does whenever they feel a bit achy.

What Does Neuromuscular Massage Therapy Treat?

Some of the medical issues for which neuromuscular massage can be an appropriate treatment include:

• Low back pain
• Upper back pain
• Carpal tunnel-like symptoms
• Sciatica-like symptoms
• Calf cramps
• Plantar fasciitis
• Tendonitis
• Knee pain
• Jaw pain
• Tempomandibular joint pain (TMJ disorders)
• Hip pain
• Headaches
• Iliotibial band friction syndrome

What Are The Neuromuscular Therapy Massage Benefits?

In general, patients who undergo neuromuscular massage therapy can experience the following benefits:

• Reduced or complete elimination of pain
• Higher levels of flexibility and strength
• Increased ease and efficiency of movement
• Better posture
• Balanced musculoskeletal and nervous systems
• Improved blood circulation
• Lower levels of body toxins
• Higher levels of energy and vitality

Active Release Therapy

Active Release Therapy/Technique (ART) was developed nearly thirty years ago by Dr. P. Michael Leahy. The idea of Active Release Therapy originated for elite athletes to return to peak performance as quickly as possible, without the long-windedness of a full massage. ART treats minor soft tissue disorders within the:

• Muscles
• Ligaments
• Tendons
• Fascia
• Nerves

Active Release Technique, though originally developed for athletes, can be beneficial for anyone. It directly aims to release built-up scar tissue within the deep muscle, which occurs when the muscles are overused for an extended period of time.

In fact, ART is the only soft tissue manipulation therapy that directly repairs the muscle’s full range of motion because it directly targets the underlying issues within the muscle.

Muscle overuse happens from long bouts of exercise, as well as normal daily activities like walking, grocery shopping, a more active job (such as a teacher or construction worker, etc.), taking your dog around the neighborhood, and cooking.

ART Specialists are trained in over 500 specific stretching techniques. These techniques cover all major muscle groups, such as the quadriceps and hamstrings; upper back; shoulders; and chest. Each individual is unique, therefore there are no basic steps for the completion of an Active Release Therapy session. However, the overall protocol remains the same:

1. The ART specialist uses his hands to identify scar tissue within the muscle.
2. The specialist will then implement several trigger point methods using either his hands or small instruments to release the tension built within the scar tissue.
3. The patient is asked to move that muscle through a specific range of motion.

ART sessions can last anywhere from 30-60 minutes and should never occur more than once a week unless specifically addressed by the specialist.

Myofascial Release Therapy

Myofascial release is the most rudimentary type of massage therapy — so much so, in fact, that the individual does not need outside assistance to complete it! The myofascial release describes the breaking down of tight fascia, which is the fibrous layer of connective tissue above the muscle and under the skin. Fascia is what allows our body to move and hold different bodily positions, and when we feel surface-level muscle tightness, it is generally the fascia that is bunched and not the muscle underneath.

Myofascial release can be executed with several different instruments:

• Foam roller
• Lacrosse ball / tennis ball / softball / golf ball
• Rumbler roller
• HyperVice
• Body Bar
• Trigger Point balls and rollers

There are also two different styles of myofascial release techniques: active and passive. Active release therapy is when the client is tensing the affected areas and is normally used with any of the above instruments. Passive release therapy is when the muscle is completely relaxed and is normally used during soft tissue mobilization and trigger point massage.

Any individual can choose to either have a massage therapist in myofascial release techniques upon tight muscles, or you can choose to do it yourself. It is more beneficial, however, to receive trigger point massage therapy to relieve fascia strain. Generally, this is the process:

1. The practitioner will apply either gentle, sustained force on an area or gentle and light stretching, depending on the severity of the strain.
2. They will use their fingers, knuckles, elbows, and any of the above tools to slowly break down the manipulated fascia.
3. For direct myofascial release therapy, the practitioner will work slowly through each fascial layer until the strain is apprehended.
4. For indirect myofascial release therapy, the practitioner will use both passive and active muscle tensing to gently rid the fascia of any strain.

Generally, myofascial release sessions can last up to a half-hour and can be utilized by anyone with tight muscles. In fact, myofascial release — while somewhat painful if using a direct method with a massage therapist — should be sought out first when dealing with tight muscles, as it serves many more direct benefits than a classic massage.

Medical Massage

A medical massage is normally met with heaps of controversy, as it typically adopts many different styles of already present massage therapies. These include deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, osteopathic techniques, and cranial-sacral techniques. However, a medical massage is still heavily utilized for decongestive therapy, which helps with breast cancer; pain alleviation; and palliative care, or dealing with the issue by focusing on surrounding pain and not the issue itself.

Overall, medical therapy can be used to treat a wide assortment of physical and mental ailments, such as:

• Reduced anxiety
• Reduced blood pressure
• Reduced heart rate
• Delayed onset of pain

Most anyone can benefit from medical massage therapies, though the degree of how much it helps varies from case to case. There is still some scrutiny about how much medical massage aids in mental illnesses, such as anxiety and depression, though classic massage has been shown to alleviate some mood swings and increase relaxation.

Methods and time durations for medical massages will also vary on a case by case basis.

Therapeutic Massage Santa Barbara, Goleta, Ca Santa Barbara Massage Therapy,  Licensed Massage Therapist, Lymphatic Therapy Santa Barbara, Sports Massage Santa Barbara,  Pain Relief Santa Barbara, Deep Tissue Massage.

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. These statements are not expressions of legal opinion relative to the scope of practice, medical diagnosis, or medical advice, nor do they represent an endorsement of any product, company, or specific massage therapy technique, modality, or approach. All trademarks, registered trademarks, brand names, registered brand names, logos, and company logos referenced in this post are the property of their owners.