Deep Tissue Massage and Muscle Aches
Chronic muscle aches are extremely common. Most of us feel some kind of ache on a regular basis..
Whether that’s tightness in the shoulders from desk work, pain in the knees from bending and kneeling or lower back ache from carrying loads.
Most of these aches ease off with a good rest. However, particularly as we age, muscular aches become a more constant presence that affect our day-to-day life. Deep tissue massage is one way you can manage and ease these everyday aches.
There are many different types of deep tissue techniques and approaches. The way I work is to slowly and gently remove layers of pain and tension, gradually building up to working with the deep layers of muscle and fascia beyond the surface level.
I work this way because my focus is on relaxation and helping to soothe the nervous system.To go in with too much deep pressure too quickly can feel jarring to the nerves, particularly if you are already in pain. You may feel soreness and tension releasing over the course of the massage, but I never push a client into feeling acute pain. You need to be able to relax and breath through what you are feeling.
Easing the pressure
If the pressure gets too much at any point, we move on to a different area. The beauty of this is that sometimes by taking the focus off an area of tension and working elsewhere, it gives the body chance to rest and release. Going back to that area later it often feels easier.
Deep tissue work also isn’t just about deep pressure.
Stretches, mobilisations, holds and tapping can all release deep tension. As does gentle working an area for a few minutes, gradually sinking through the layers of skin, fascia and muscle.
If one approach doesn’t work for you, we can always try something else. That’s why it’s important that we keep up a dialogue and you let me know how you feel. We can go to the edge of your pain threshold, but never beyond it.
Causes of chronic muscle aches
These include: posture, injury, repetitive strain, stress, accident or operation recovery, emotional holding, ageing and everyday wear and tear.
Massage and chronic pain
Research on chronic pain is fascinating. It shows that the brain can keep giving us the signal we are in pain long after a physical ailment has passed. If pain goes on for long enough, it alters the brain’s view of the body and it can keep firing off pain signals even though there is no physical reason for the pain anymore.
Massage is one way to disrupt this pain signal and let the brain know it can let that response go. Working to re-educate the brain and body in this way takes time, but it is a sustainable and long-lasting approach.
Client feedback
“I was first recommended to Jenny when I was having pain in my shoulder. I had weekly massages, which really helped to relieve the pain and I had more movement in my upper arm after each treatment. I was so pleased with the results of the treatment and grateful to be pain free. I now can dress without needing help or feeling pain.”
“I was suffering from chronic neck pain for a few years and relied on medication to help, which never completely got rid of the pain I was suffering. I started to receive regular massages from Jenny over a period of 6 months. I felt so at ease and safe during the sessions and can honestly say the difference is amazing. I have so much more movement and any pain is minimal. The best part is, I no longer have to rely on medication”