Certain pain conditions such as tension, constant pain or even chronic pain cause considerable discomfort. To help relieve some of these conditions, a massage to penetrate more deeply was needed. This massage technique is now called deep tissue massage. When muscles are used, they can breakdown in their flexibility and range of motion because fibers start to split. To repair the flexibility, pressure and stroking was found to bring back their natural elasticity. Deep tissue massage penetrates beyond the superficial muscles and gets to the bone.
After performing exercise, you may notice your muscles become stiffer. Exercise breaks down the muscle tissue making the tendons shorter and more fibrous. That is why it is good to stretch muscles before and after exercise. While stretching elongates the whole muscle, massage targets smaller regions for restoration. A deep tissue massage seeks to elongate and stretch the tendons to increase their elasticity and flexibility.
If you are a team member of a professional sports franchise, then your routinely obtain deep tissue massage. This is known to help healing form injuries and to increase range of motion of muscles. The heavy workouts cause muscles to breakdown and become tight. Loosening the muscles regains their former flexibility. However, not all of us have access to a massage therapist.
One interesting note with massage as with exercise or diet, is that these things are only beneficial if done on a continuous basis. We cannot expect to lose weight by limiting our diet at one meal. Just like deep tissue massage, it must be applied on a periodic basis to be effective. If we exercise regularly, then our muscles are being broken down regularly. We need to revitalize these muscles on a regular basis as well. Massage chairs can provide such access on a regular basis at your convenience.
Technology continues to advance at a rapid pace and deep tissue massage has been integrated into many of the premier massage chair brands. Companies like Panasonic, Omega Massage and others are pushing the limits with ever more varieties massage therapies into their chairs. These massage therapies include air compression, stretching, heating elements, music therapy to name a few. Software programs control all aspects of the deep tissue massage. The program starts the massage more superficially and then gradual works deeper into the muscles working out the tightness, pain and aches.
These massage chair companies are developing therapies for persons who suffer from more chronic conditions such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, muscle cramping and even carpal tunnel syndrome. Many new features target such areas. With air compression massage, for example, there are airbags for your hands and forearms. The program will gently squeeze, hold and then release. This gentle, repetitive action loosens the muscles, relieves aches and pains. Massage chairs can deliver full body massages from the neck to the feet.
Deep tissue massage is not for everyone. Since this massage specifically targets getting to the deep layers of the muscle, most people may feel sore the next day. This is normal as the massage has penetrated to the deeper layers to relieve tension. If this is a concern, then it is always advisable to ask your doctor if this type of massage is appropriate for you. Many health professionals are optimistic that with more studies being performed, that deep tissue massage will be shown to provide more significant benefits for chronic pain sufferers.
To get the full benefit of any massage treatment, it must be performed at a regular, sustained interval. If you exercise regularly, then you should receive massage regularly. Each action like exercise, requires an equal an opposite counteraction like massage therapy. Life is about balance. We know the balance is always changing, so too must the counter balances. Obtaining pain relief is a counter balance to the source of the pain. The healing process is a natural reversal of the damaging process. Look to integrate massage therapy into your routine with a massage chair recliner. They are actually very cost effective in the long run.