At Rejuvenations Massage Therapy, we specialize in therapeutic massage, which for many people is synonymous with deep tissue massage. That makes sense because deep tissue massage is the most common of the therapeutic massage modalities—and if that’s what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.

Therapeutic Massage vs Deep Tissue

Therapeutic massage is a general term that describes any type of massage modality that helps relieve pain, reduce stress, and work on a specific problem—such as a frozen shoulder. People tend to assume therapeutic massage means deep tissue massage, and that they will get a very strong massage. But this is not always the case. Deep tissue massage is great at breaking down scar tissue and getting your blood circulating, but it may not be what you need on a particular day. A good therapist will apply the specific techniques and the right amount of pressure to address your need, and sometimes that’s a lighter touch.

Types of Therapeutic Massage

There are several different types of therapeutic massage in addition to deep tissue massage, such as:

• neuromuscular massage
• myofascial massage
• trigger point therapy
• sports massage

Many therapists will use a combination of techniques depending on what your body needs. In addition, therapists will often take additional classes in different techniques. You can see our therapists specialties by clicking their bios.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Most of our clients are interested in deep tissue massage, and that makes sense because it is a great way to manage pain. Deep tissue massage—as well as the other therapeutic massage methods—can give you a lot of relief from chronic pain. Many of our clients come in for frozen shoulder treatment and neck pain—two side effects of working on computers all day.

Deep Tissue Side Effects

Many people want to know what the side effects of deep tissue massage are. That’s a great question, and it varies from person to person—and it can even vary for you depending on what’s going on in your body the day you get a massage. Typically, people may feel more muscle soreness for a day or two after the massage, especially if the therapist gives you a strong massage. A deep tissue massage shouldn’t cause horrible pain—and if it does you need to tell your therapist you need less pressure. However, if they’ve been working your muscles, you will probably feel it as the toxins leave your body.

Another side effect is a feeling of disorientation when the massage is over (we call it massage drunk). You may be a little light headed and out of it. That’s very normal. Just sit in the lobby and drink some water until the feeling passes! You’ll usually be fine in 10 to 15 minutes.

Finally, a deep tissue massage will leave you dehydrated. That’s why your therapist gives you water when it’s over. It is very important to drink plenty of water after a therapeutic massage.

Where to Get Deep Tissue Massage

At Rejuvenations Massage Therapy, we specialize in deep tissue massage. We offer deep tissue massage near Herndon, Reston, Great Falls, Fairfax—all of Fairfax County and Loudoun County. We even have clients that come to us from Bethesda and Arlington!

100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain (Institute of Medicine of The National Academies). If you are one of them, massage therapy can provide chronic pain relief.

When you suffer from pain — even minor, yet chronic pain — your body can’t relax. And when your body can’t relax and regenerate, you get stressed, irritable, cranky or upset. Add this to the physical pain you experience, and it is safe to say chronic pain takes a tremendous physical and emotional toll on you. Massage to help pain is one of the most common reasons clients come to Rejuvenations.

Chronic Pain Relief for Physical Symptoms

Studies show that massage is one of the most effective methods of chronic back pain relief. Even more so than pharmaceuticals. We see that in the number of clients who ask for trigger point massage for pain. Whether it’s a lumbar spine issue, herniated disk, or some other cause, the muscles of the back tighten as a way to protect the injured area — which ends up causing even more pain. Deep tissue massage, especially using Swedish massage and and trigger point massage for pain release and loosen the pain points.

One study showed that for people who got massage to help pain for ten weeks, daily functioning improved on average between 2 to 4 points on a 23-point scale and pain improved about 2 points on a 10-point scale. More than one-third (36% and 39%) of patients in the study’s massage groups said their pain was nearly or completely gone, compared to 4% in the usual care group (that took traditional medications).

Massage for back aches is not the only chronic pain massage can help: it is good for all muscle aches.

The Emotional Benefits of Chronic Pain Relief

Addressing the physical side of chronic pain relief is important, but massage also greatly benefits the emotional toll chronic muscle aches and pains have on you. Deep tissue massage, especially Swedish and trigger point massage for pain, help. Studies show that massage:

•      Improves sleep patterns
•      Creates a general feeling of well-being,
•      Helps release pent up emotions, and
•      Reduces anxiety

For example, a study at the Touch Research Institutes, University of Miami School of Medicine, found that massage improved fibromyalgia patients’ moods. Another study by the American Fibromyalgia Syndrome Association found that patients reported sleeping better with regular massage: they began sleeping for longer periods at a time and had more restful sleep, thus improving their moods. (Suffer from fibromyalgia? Read more about it.)

How often should you get massage to reap the emotional benefit of addressing chronic pain? It’s different for everyone. What we do know is you’ll get better results if you are on a regular schedule — whether it’s monthly, weekly, or some other formula that works for you. Studies show that a half hour massage a few times a week has tremendous benefit. However, most of our clients who get massage for pain come in monthly for 60 or 90 minutes. The best thing to do is work out a treatment plan with your massage therapist.

Massage for chronic pain relief helps minimize your physical pain and alleviates the stress and anxiety associated with it. When you feel relaxed, your emotional state will be improved and life will seem a little bit brighter.

Our massage therapists are trained in all deep tissue massage methods. Book an appointment today and start feeling good.