1. Relief Is in the Stretch

In deep tissue massage the therapist focuses on the inner layers of muscle tissue and applies pressure to specific muscles. The pressure is much more intense than in Swedish massage because the goal is therapeutic change to the muscle fibers, not just relaxation. When using deep tissue techniques the massage therapist does not use oil or lotion, so that there is more friction between the therapist's hands and the client's skin. This is so the therapist can grab and stretch the tissue to lengthen and separate individual muscle fibers.

2. Go With the Flow

Deep tissue massage increases the flow of blood and lymph in the muscle tissue, which helps flush away the toxins that build up during the normal course of cellular activity. This promotes the health of muscle tissue and aid in injury prevention. Deep tissue work relieves muscle tension that causes pain and stiffness. It is therapeutic for athletes whose muscles are subjected to frequent or prolonged workouts.

3. Ease Trigger Tension

Trigger point therapy is one of the uses of deep tissue massage. Trigger points, knots of tension in a muscle, shorten the muscle causing restricted movement and pain. The massage therapist applies pressure to a trigger point until the tension releases and the muscle fibers lengthen. Massage therapists use this technique to address tension headaches and back pain that is muscular in origin.

4. Massage Away What Ails You

According to researchers, deep tissue massage can lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. Thus, some people with high blood pressure and certain cardiovascular conditions might benefit from deep tissue massage as a therapeutic intervention. Therapists can also use it to break up scar tissue. Other conditions with a positive response to deep tissue massage include chronic pain, fluid retention, carpal tunnel syndrome and some neuromuscular problems.

5. Make the Muscles Work

Deep tissue massage is not a comfortable, relaxing experience, but in the long run it promotes comfort and relaxation. The pressure that the therapist applies can be quite intense and some people might find it too strong. You may feel some soreness afterwards, as if you had been through a workout, because deep tissue massage really makes the muscles work. Since it also flushes a lot of toxins from the muscle tissue it is important to drink plenty of water after a massage treatment. The increased fluid will help eliminate these wastes from the body.