Therapist Search

Select Therapy

Postcode

Learn About Therapies | Deep Tissue Massage

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep muscle massage is a form of therapeutic and corrective massage created by Therese Pfrimmer from Canada. Deep tissue massage techniques are mainly used for more specific therapy work such as breaking up and eliminating scar tissue etc.

In This Article

History	How does it work?
A typical appointment	What to expect
Timings/ Sessions/ Costs	Is it right for you?

History

Deep tissue massage techniques derive from traditional massage therapy first used by ancient Egyptian, Greek and Far Eastern civilisations. Deep tissue massage uses similar techniques to Swedish massage developed in the 18th century by Swedish physician Per Henrik Ling.

The principles of deep tissue massage were developed in the 1940s by Therese Pfrimmer, a Canadian physiotherapist. Pfrimmer began her own 'deep tissue therapy' after suffering paralysis in her legs. After three months of massaging the affected limbs using a 'digging' technique to reach deep into the deteriorated muscles, Pfrimmer managed to reverse her paralysis.

Pfrimmer used her methods to successfully treat other patients suffering with paralysis and by 1949 had established the first 'deep tissue therapy' clinic. Twenty years later she published a book on the subject titled "Muscles - Your Invisible Bonds".

How does it work?

Deep tissue massage aims to improve muscle function by allowing tense muscles to move freely. In cases of injury, or chronic muscle tension caused by disease or disorder, painful adhesions in muscle connective tissue builds up preventing movement. Muscles that are not able to function properly can also block circulation and cause inflammation through a build up of toxins.

By applying pressure and friction across and along the muscle fibres, the deep tissue massage therapist breaks down adhesions in the connective tissue and restores range of movement. The release of this muscle tension will then improve circulation and aid pain relief.

Although many of the techniques used are similar to Swedish massage, deep tissue massage is a more intense therapy and focuses on the specific area of the body causing a problem.

A typical appointment

Be prepared - It is advisable to choose a deep tissue massage practitioner who is a member of, or is accredited by, an association or professional body. This ensures your therapy session is carried out in a suitable environment and by someone who has received formal training and ongoing development. Members are also bound to a code of ethics and practice. The main deep tissue massage organisations are listed at the foot of this article.

As deep tissue massage will release toxins from the body you should avoid alcohol on the day of your appointment and drink plenty of water before and after. This will help with flushing the toxins from your body. Have a light snack (nothing spicy or fatty) a couple of hours before you see the practitioner and if you can, consider taking a short walk beforehand to warm up the muscles.

Be aware that deep tissue massage requires the practitioner to be hands-on and you will need to be fully or partially undressed during the treatment. Your deep tissue massage therapist will provide you with towels, a robe or blanket.

What to expect

Your deep tissue massage therapist will spend time during your first appointment questioning you about your medical history and general health. They will then examine your body for muscle imbalances and from this be able to diagnose your problem and recommend a course of massage treatment.

The therapist will use their fingers, knuckles, hands and elbows to apply various massage techniques on the specific areas that need treating. They will begin by applying pressure and stroking movements (called 'effleurage') using their fingers and palms. As the session progresses, deeper pressure (called 'petrissage') is applied to stretch out and separate muscle tissue and encourage better circulation of fluids in the body. The final method (called 'frictions') involves breaking down built up scar tissue and separation of muscle fibres. You will be asked to breathe deeply during the session when tense muscles are being worked on. Be aware deep tissue massage can be uncomfortable but you should inform your therapist if they go beyond your comfort zone.

After your session you may feel slightly sore or tired but this is normal. Deep tissue massage will dehydrate the body and release toxins so drink plenty of water afterwards. Your therapist will discuss the treatment with you and then make recommendations for any further sessions. They may also suggest ice packs to apply on the areas that have been treated.

Timings/ Sessions/ Costs

Your first session with a deep tissue massage therapist may take longer than subsequent sessions as your practitioner questions you about your medical history and then recommends a course of treatment. Expect this session to last 60 - 90 minutes and follow-up sessions 30 - 60 minutes.

The cost for a deep tissue massage varies so check with your local practitioner before making an appointment. Expect to pay £30 - £50 for your first session with subsequent sessions costing £15 - £30.

Many people feel the benefit of deep tissue massage after one session. More chronic conditions may need further sessions to fully break down adhesions that have built up over a longer period. The number of sessions you'll require will depend on your circumstances.

Is it right for you?

Deep tissue massage is a safe therapy that is beneficial to overall health and can aid stress-relief (often the cause of muscle tension). Deep tissue massage is not recommended if you have any wounds, infections or bruising on the skin. If you have a muscle tear it is advisable to wait for the tear to heal before having massage on it. If you are diabetic or pregnant, inform the therapist before starting any treatment.

Consult with your GP and deep tissue massage therapist about any medical problems or concerns you have as they are trained to recognise what can and cannot be treated with the therapy.

This therapy or modality may help with:

Abdominal Pain	Anxiety	Arthritis
Back Pain	Blood pressure	Breathing disorders
Childbirth	Chronic Fatigue	Chronic Pain
Circulation Problems	Constipation	Depression
Digestive Problems	Disc Problems	Eczema
Foot Problems	Fractures	Frozen Shoulder
Headaches	Immune System Dysfunction	Joint Pain
Ligament Sprain	Lumbago	M E
Migraines	Muscle Cramps	Muscle stiffness
Neck pain	Neck stiffness	Period pain
Post operative pain	Postural problems	Pregnancy
Repetitive strain injury	Sciatica	Scoliosis
Shoulder pain	Spinal Injury	Sports injuries
Sprain (Ankle, Knee)	Stomach cramps	Stroke
Tennis Elbow	Tiredness	Whiplash

Click Here to Learn More About Ailments

Featured Deep Tissue Massage Practitioners

Bonne Sante Complementary Therapy Centre Brighton Hove	Brackenbury Natural Health Clinic Hammersmith West London
Bruno de Jongh Massage Therapy Waterloo	Carl Spurling Massage Therapy Warrington Cheshire
Carole Leakey Massage Therapy Practitioner and Aromatherapist Hampton Middlesex	Chand Patel Reflexology Ear Candling Pinner and Harrow
Charles Danby Physiotherapy Boston Lincolnshire	Cheree Badu Massage Therapy Harrow Middlesex
Chris Barton Complementary Therapy Wembley Middlesex	Claire Brimble Complementary Therapy Montpellier Cheltenham
Clinic of Natural Therapy Grantham Lincolnshire	Consultancy Clinic Complementary Therapy Manchester Lancashire
Croydon Sports Injury Clinic Complementary Therapy South Croydon Surrey	Darren Worsfold Sports Therapy Fareham Hampshire
Debbie Carnell Aromatherapy Massage Therapy and Reflexology Plymouth Devon	Deborah Moss Complementary Therapy Stockport Cheshire
Deep Tissue Massage And Massage Therapy Kensington and Chelsea Central London	Dena Aronberg Deep Tissue Massage Remedial Massage Sports Massage Chelmsford
Denise A Waddington Complementary Therapy West Molesey Surrey	Didi Raynova Reiki and Massage Therapy Walthamstow
Diego Tatasciore Massage Therapy Tower Hamlets London	Dipak Patel Complementary Therapy Kensington Central London
Direct DStress Complementary Therapy Leeds West Yorkshire	Diva Holistic Massage Therapy Blackheath and Greenwich
Eleanor Henderson Massage Therapy Ipswich Suffolk	Elena Gonzalez Massage Therapy Wandsworth London
Elke Hausler Complementary Therapy Newmarket Suffolk	Emily Edmunds Deep Tissue Massage Acupressure and Shiatsu Wandsworth London
Emily Edwards Massage Therapy Wandsworth London	Emma Field Complementary Therapy Addlestone Surrey

Sample Of Practitioners By Location

Deep Tissue Massage Birmingham	Deep Tissue Massage Brighton	Deep Tissue Massage Bristol
Deep Tissue Massage Coventry	Deep Tissue Massage East London	Deep Tissue Massage Glasgow
Deep Tissue Massage Harley Street	Deep Tissue Massage Liverpool	Deep Tissue Massage London
Deep Tissue Massage Manchester	Deep Tissue Massage North London	Deep Tissue Massage South London
Deep Tissue Massage West London

About Therapist Qualifications

Massage Training Institute (MTI)

Association of Physical & Natural Therapies (APNT)

Health Articles & Videos
	Deep tissue massage for stress relief

Interesting Health Articles

The health hazards of stress

Breast cancer (screening)

Nutrition And Allergies

Is my child being bullied?

Thought Field Therapy (TFT) for anxiety

Maternity Reflexology

Therapist marketing using Google Maps

Healthy schools: Physical activity

Get fit with Scottish dancing

EFT - Overcoming food cravings


	Advertise Here By getting your products and services listed on GoToSee, you will be helping your business to be found by a highly targeted group of new potential clients. Contact our sales team here