Did you know? Deep tissue massage is the holy grail in the athletic world. And now, many people are also catching up to the trend.
But why is it so popular? It’s because deep tissue massage is one of the most effective ways to recover, especially after strenuous activity. As you read on, let’s explore how this type of massage therapy can help you avoid injuries and more.
6 Ways to avoid injuries with a deep tissue massage
Lessen chronic pain
When you’re used to moving around, chronic pain becomes a big obstacle to your everyday routine. Even more so, for athletic people.
Ignoring chronic pain can lead to more wear and tear in your joints and muscles. Worse, ignoring something as simple as back pain can result in permanent damage and loss of mobility.
Fortunately, getting a deep tissue massage can help solve this problem. According to a 2014 study, deep tissue massage reduces intense muscle pain, similar to how non-steroidal painkillers do. It also improves your quality of life, especially when dealing with chronic pain conditions like arthritis and fibromyalgia.
Speed Up Your Recovery After a Workout
Deep tissue massage can be the perfect addition to your self-care routine. It pinpoints and releases tight knots in your muscles. As a result, it reduces muscle strain 24 to 48 hours after an exhausting workout.
Deep tissue massage also speeds up your post-workout recovery, according to a 2005 study. Aside from its longstanding effects, it can lessen muscle soreness by approximately 30%. With just one massage session, you can bounce back to your daily tasks quicker than before.
Warm Up and Relax Tight Muscles
In a 2014 study, researchers found that combining deep tissue massage with your warm-up routine provides many health benefits. It can help improve your athletic power, flexibility, and speed. As a result, you’ll feel more fluid and ready to move around after a massage session.
Aid Recovery After Injury
According to a 2020 study, deep tissue massage can aid healing after a physical injury or trauma. It promotes blood circulation around the injured area, relieves pain and stiffness, and restores your range of motion.
For this reason, this type of massage therapy is also for recovering patients. In another study from 2017, the healing effects of deep tissue massage is similar to actual physical therapy, especially for treating bone and muscle injuries.
May Lower High Blood Pressure
When you’re stressed out, your blood pressure is bound to rise. And if you’re stressed all the time, your blood pressure might peak to alarming levels. That can’t be good for your health.
Fortunately, researchers found in a 2013 study that deep tissue massage may reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure. The effects also depend on which body parts you choose to massage.
While it hasn’t been proven yet if it can be a medical tool against hypertension, deep tissue massage does relax your sympathetic nervous system. It’s the part of your body that controls your fight or flight instinct when you’re stressed out.
Reduce Stress and Anxiety Before an Athletic Event
Here’s the thing, athleticism doesn’t only rely on your physical skills. It also depends on your mental health and how strong your mindset is against stress. Most athletes would agree that how you think can determine your success.
In a 2010 trial study, deep tissue massage is found to help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It also helps you breathe easier and may help with chronic constipation. Overall, it’s the kind of mental relaxation you need before you get fired up at an athletic event.
How Often Should You Get a Deep Tissue Massage?
While there are a lot of proven benefits to deep tissue massage, you still need to be aware of its potential side effects.
For beginners, deep tissue massage can be a little too robust. Every knead goes beyond the surface of your skin and releases tension from deep within. For this reason, it might not be suitable for everyone.
If you’re pregnant, have a history of bone disorders, or prefer a light massage experience, then this might not work for you.
Moreover, before you make a massage appointment, make sure to contact your physician first if you’re:
- Taking prescribed blood thinners
- At high risk of blood clots or a blood clotting disorder
- Experiencing any cardiovascular or nerve disorder
- Undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy and radiation
- Recently suffering from open wounds or other skin conditions
Take note that the frequency of your massage sessions depends on your needs. You can get a deep tissue massage every day, a few times a week, or only when you feel muscle pain. To be sure, consult your physician or physical therapist about this too.
Even better, you can get a massage gun instead, so you can treat yourself at home like how professionals do it. Massage guns usually have different attachment heads and speed settings, so you can control how deep or fast the massage can go.
The Takeaway
Deep tissue massage isn’t only for seasoned athletes and qualified medical professionals. Furthermore, it’s not just a passing fitness trend. It’s here to stay, and many non-athletes are trying it already.
With just one session, it can release tight muscles, chronic pains, and a lot of built-up stress in your body. It also relaxes your mind so you can stay sharp throughout the day. However, there’s one huge drawback to this type of massage therapy.
For many of us, getting a massage appointment can be such a hassle. It’s costly, especially if you want to do it regularly. So, the best alternative is to use a quiet massage gun so you can relax at home.
For instance, the Hydragun is the quietest massage gun Australia has ever seen. It’s light enough to be maneuvered anywhere on your body, and it has seven attachment heads made for every muscle group. Try the HYDRAGUN now so you can get your own deep tissue massage experience at home.
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