Deep Tissue Massage Tulsa focuses on manipulating the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue, working out knots and increasing circulation. It may be a bit uncomfortable and even painful at times, but it’s important to communicate with your therapist when the pressure is too much.
Bruising and swelling are normal post-massage effects, but ice packs can help reduce them. It’s also important to drink plenty of water after a session.
Back pain is a common problem caused by tight muscles, poor posture, or a variety of medical problems. Fortunately, lower back pain can be alleviated with massage therapy. Deep tissue massage is a type of bodywork that uses slower strokes and deeper pressure to reach the muscles located in the core of the body. This technique is particularly useful for chronic lower back pain or when other more superficial techniques have not worked.
During a session, your massage therapist will use a combination of tapping, deep, circular motions, and kneading. This may cause some soreness and stiffness after the treatment, but it should subside within a day or two. Your therapist will always adjust the amount of pressure and the technique to your comfort level.
When the therapist applies pressure to your back, it causes muscles and joints to release toxins and increase blood flow to the area. This flushes out the buildup of lactic acid that typically accumulates in knots and relieves tension. It is also important to stay hydrated after a deep tissue massage because the increased circulation will help bring water and nutrients to the muscles that have been worked and remove waste products.
If you experience back pain after your massage, it is a good idea to speak up. If the pain feels like it is more than you can handle, talk to your therapist and ask them to lighten up on the pressure. The pain shouldn’t be a good or bad kind of pain, but a more of a “it hurts so good” kind.
Massage is a natural wellness wonder, and it can boost your mood by stimulating the production of feel-good hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. It can also improve your sleep quality by relieving stress and promoting relaxation. It can even break down scar tissue and improve the mobility of your joints. In fact, if you have a chronic condition such as arthritis, it is a great way to relieve the discomfort and prevent further issues from developing.
Headaches
Deep Tissue Massage is a very effective treatment for headaches, particularly when it’s focused on the neck and head area. The firm pressure accompanied by slow strokes work to loosen tight muscles that may be the root cause of your pain. This can help to alleviate a tension-based headache as well as migraines and other types of headaches.
Tension-type headaches are caused by rapid constricting or dilating of blood vessels in the brain. These can be triggered by dehydration, hormone changes, certain foods that affect blood pressure, muscle tension, stress, sex, exercise, an irregular schedule, lack of sleep, and depression. A few studies have found that massage therapy can reduce both the frequency and duration of headaches in those who get them regularly.
However, some people will develop a headache after a massage that they didn’t have before their treatment. This is most commonly the result of a too-firm massage or a massage that was given over an area where there is already a compressive pressure like a nerve. It’s important to communicate with your massage therapist if the treatment feels uncomfortable and ask them to apply less pressure.
It is also not unusual to feel a little flu-like after a deep tissue massage. This is because the massage improves blood flow to the body’s tissues, which helps with the removal of waste products. Western schools of thought believe that these “flu”-like symptoms are actually the result of the body’s natural way of expelling toxins.
Some medical conditions make it unsafe for you to receive a deep tissue massage, including osteoporosis, cancer that has spread to the bones, and blood clots. If you have one of these medical conditions, consult your doctor before scheduling a session to determine if it’s safe for you to undergo massage therapy.
Sciatica
Deep Tissue Massage can help to break down adhesions and knots that can cause sciatic pain, especially in the lower back, hips, and buttocks. This type of massage can also help with other underlying conditions that can cause sciatica, such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and piriformis syndrome.
Depending on the severity of your sciatica, you may benefit from other treatments in addition to massage therapy. These include physical therapy, chiropractic care, and acupuncture. However, research indicates that massage can reduce inflammation and improve circulation, which will decrease pain, and increase range of motion and muscle function.
If you have sciatica, you may need a few sessions to see results. It’s important to work with a qualified massage therapist who understands the condition and how to treat it effectively. A good massage therapist will be able to apply the right amount of pressure without causing discomfort. In some cases, it may be necessary to use deeper techniques, such as friction or trigger point release, to alleviate the pain caused by the tight muscles.
In addition to relieving pain, deep tissue massage can help boost your mood. It can stimulate the body to release endorphins, which are natural pain-relieving chemicals in the brain. This can boost your overall sense of well-being and reduce stress, which can exacerbate sciatica symptoms.
Massage can also help increase awareness of tension and tightness in the body. This can inspire patients to take action by seeing a physical therapist, going to the gym, or practicing yoga. In the long run, this can increase the effectiveness of treatment and speed up recovery time.
It’s important to communicate with your massage therapist if you have any concerns or are uncomfortable during the session. They can always adjust the intensity and focus of their work to meet your needs. For example, if you have a sensitive stomach, they can avoid using any oil or techniques that might irritate your skin. In addition, if you have an underlying health condition that could be worsened by massage, such as cancer or bleeding disorders, you should consult with your doctor before starting a new treatment.
Recovery After Injury or Surgery
Often when an injury occurs, the muscles and fascia will tighten around the area effectively acting as a protective mechanism. This will restrict movement and prevent the muscle from reaching its optimum length, which can cause pain and dysfunction. Getting regular deep tissue massages will help break up scar tissue and improve flexibility in the muscles.
Deep Tissue Massage increases the blood flow to the damaged areas and allows oxygen rich, nutrient filled blood to get to the injured muscles and tissues. This helps speed up the healing process. Studies are beginning to show that people who receive regular massages will have shortened hospital stays and faster recovery times after surgery. This is partially due to the improved circulation and lower blood pressure levels.
If a patient is suffering from fibromyalgia, chronic back pain or any other condition that causes joint stiffness and limited movement, a Deep Tissue Massage can provide great relief and increase mobility. However, it is important to remember that this type of massage should not be done during the acute phase of an injury as it can aggravate it. It is also not recommended for pregnant women or anyone taking blood thinners as it can increase the likelihood of bruising and bleeding under the skin.
Aside from providing pain relief, a Deep Tissue Massage can help patients recover from sports-related injuries and also heal the muscular injuries caused by over-stressing or over-working a group of muscles during exercise. Muscular injuries can cause a lot of pain and discomfort and can be difficult to treat with medications. Thankfully, a regular deep tissue massage can reduce the inflammation and improve the flexibility of the affected muscles helping you heal from these injuries much more quickly.
For best results, it is recommended that patients start out by receiving a deep tissue massage once a week to begin to loosen the knots in their muscles. Once the knots have begun to release, patients can switch to once every other week and eventually go down to once a month or even less. The frequency will depend on how the body responds and if there are any further knots that need to be addressed.