Deep tissue massage is such a massage technique that relaxes our body and mind, removes different types of pains, and helps to recover from different injuries. The effectiveness and benefits of deep tissue massage are medically tested and proven. So there is no chance to have confusion regarding the fact- is deep tissue massage safe or not. In this article, we will discuss how deep tissue massage is safe for us and how it helps us keep healthy.
What Is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy where sustained pressure and slow to strong strokes are applied to treat or massage different deeper layers of your muscle and connective tissues surrounding the muscles. This type of massage is one of the most effective massages for the human body. Deep tissue massage is very much helpful in treating musculoskeletal problems such as sports and strain injuries.
It’s also very effective to prevent different types of pain, such as low back pain, sciatica pain, osteoarthritis pain, and a lot more. In relaxing the body and mind, providing a happy feeling, deep tissue massage also offers a lot of help. This type of massage also helps us by releasing different types of hormones, such as dopamine, cortisol, etc. So let’s focus on whether deep tissue massage is safe or not.
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Is Deep Tissue Massage Safe?
The straight answer to the question- is deep tissue massage safe is yes. We also have already provided some hints that deep tissue massage is helpful and safe. It helps us not only physically but also mentally. So the effectiveness of deep tissue massage is inevitable. If you go through deep tissue massage regularly by following the proper technique of this massage, you will be able to get rid of most of the pains and aches of your body. You will also be able to lead a tension and stress-free life.
Along with all the benefits, there are some side effects of deep tissue massage. There are also some situations and conditions when taking deep tissue massage isn’t good or safe. Though most of the time, the massage is safe, there are some specific conditions when it turns bad. In the below two sections, we are now going to discuss when deep tissue massage is safe, and when it’s bad.
When Is Deep Tissue Massage Safe?
Deep tissue massage is, most of the time, good for most of the people. If you don’t have any issues in your body and are having sound health, you can go through a deep tissue massage. Below are the conditions when deep tissue massage is safe, if:
- You don’t have any blood clots in your body, or there is no chance to develop it.
- You haven’t gone through any recent surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and other medical conditions.
- You are suffering from chronic pain, lower back pain, sciatica pain, etc.
- Your body is fit for any type of work out.
- You have completely overcome bruises, unhealed wounds, open wounds, tumors, skin rashes, inflamed skin, infected skin, abdominal hernia, issues in bones, or any other recent fractures.
When Is Deep Tissue Massage Bad?
The reality of our world is that everything has a both sided effect. As well as the fact, a deep tissue massage also has negative effects. A deep tissue massage may turn into a bad for a lot of people with some specific conditions. A deep tissue massage isn’t good if one has any or multiple issues of the mentioned categories:
- If one is suffering from blood clots or is at a high risk of developing blood clots.
- If there is any record for recent surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and some other medical issues or conditions.
- If one has osteoporosis.
- If one is having bruises, unhealed wounds, open wounds, tumors, skin rashes, inflamed skin, infected skin, abdominal hernia, bone issues, or any other recent fractures.
- If one is pregnant.
Benefits Of Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage offers a lot of benefits to our body and mind. It mostly helps us by offering a variety of pain reliefs and injury recovery benefits. Along with relieving different pains, deep tissue massage also helps us to get rid of different health and mental issues. Both the psychological and physical benefits of deep tissue massage are medically proven and tested. Below are some of the names of pains and issues that you will get rid of using deep tissue massage:
- Chronic pain
- Lower back pain
- Osteoarthritis pain
- Sciatica pain and other related issues
- Pains related to work out or bodybuilding
- Limited mobility
- Recovery from injuries such as whiplash falls, sports injuries, etc.
- Strain injury that repeatedly happens like carpal tunnel syndrome
- Muscle tension in the IT band, legs, gluts, hamstrings, etc.
- High blood pressure
- Postural problems
- Piriformis syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
- Fibromyalgia
- Tennis elbow
- Muscle tension or spasm
Apart from relieving those pains and issues, deep tissue massage also offers us benefits by releasing some special types of hormones. These hormones are liable to remove our stress and provide a happy and relaxing feeling all the time. This massage also increases our blood circulation and improves movement and flexibility. Below are some of the hormones that are released by deep tissue massage:
- Endorphins (It acts as the natural painkillers of our body)
- Dopamine (It provides a relaxing and happy feeling)
- Cortisol (It removes stress and tension)
What Are The Side Effects Of A Deep Tissue Massage?
It’s not like that deep tissue massage will always provide positive results. Sometimes things go in another way, and so does the effect of deep tissue massage. There are some side effects associated with deep tissue massage. Though there is no guarantee of causing such side effects for all, it may cause a lot of people. Those are below in the form of different points:
- Prolonged Pain
- Muscle Ache
- Headache
- Skin Redness
- Bruises and nerve Lesions
- Existence of prior injuries and chronic pain
- Mild stress in the nervous system
- Rhabdomyolysis
Note: In the above section, we have briefly described the side effects of a deep tissue massage. But if you want to know the details of deep tissue massage benefits and side effects, you can go through the article here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many of you ask some of the common questions most of the time. So considering the fact, we have provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions below. We hope that you will not have any other questions regarding this issue.
How long do the effects of a deep tissue massage last?
Depending on the massage extent and duration of the session, the effects of a deep tissue massage last for a couple of days to a whole week. There are some techniques to prolong the relaxing and stress removal benefits.
Can a deep tissue massage cause a blood clot?
No, a deep tissue massage in the proper way doesn’t cause any blood clots. But if you have any blood clots anywhere in your body, you should not go through any type of massage. This will affect your body and mind negatively.
Can deep tissue massage cause damage?
Any type of massage therapy is, most of the time, safe. But things may go wrong, and you may get an inverse result by a massage. Though there is no incident of serious injury by a deep tissue massage, it may sometimes cause some issues to your body.
Final Thought
Practically, the benefits of deep tissue massage are unquestionable. Though it sometimes may cause some issues to a lot of people, most of the people get benefits from it. Some of the negative issues that occurred by deep tissue massage are basically due to the improper massage technique or improper health condition. Rather than that, deep tissue massage is very much helpful. So, there is no confusion regarding the fact of- is deep tissue massage safe or not.
