The Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
At Rejuvenate Within, we offer a range of massage therapies- you can read more about what's on offer here. But have you ever wondered why we utilise massage, and why it helps you feel better?
The power of touch
We are hard wired to benefit from physical touch from someone else. Combine this with the context of a cosy, relaxing treatment room, and maybe some oils, and your body and mind will soon be ready to be thoroughly relaxed.
Touch can be especially beneficial when you are suffering with pain. There's a reason we instinctively apply pressure to an injury- it helps to override the nervous system and take the edge off the pain. Massage can give a similar effect in three different ways:
- directly overriding the way pain is processed (analgesic touch)
- breaking down psychological or emotional barriers to pain relief (affective touch)
- showing the body that pain is not warranted, and that this touch is safe (somatoperceptual touch)
Mental health benefits
There are reasons why massage has stood the test of time, featuring in all ancient civilisations and still going strong today. Massage is strongly associated with mental health benefits. These include improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms, as well as general mental health. Of course, this is no substitution for talking therapies or medication that you may need, but it can certainly complement your progress.
Some of these benefits may be associated with the simple act of having some "me time". When you're laying on the massage couch, you're not at anyone's beck and call on your phone, or overwhelmed with chores, or distracted by a knock on the door when you're mid-thought. Instead, you can let your mind wander without obligation or interruption, knowing that this allocated time is just for you. If you do well with mindfulness or meditation, it might also be an opportune time to take a moment and let your mind clear.
Muscle pain
Of course, deep tissue massage can also help to relieve muscle pain. It's a common misconception that massage is about breaking down scar tissue or other restrictions, but that's not quite right. A tight muscle is only tight because the brain tells it it needs to be, often as a protective mechanism for a perceived threat. This might be an injury nearby, or something completely different that doesn't need to be protected in any way. Another reason a muscle might become tense is that it's following the path of least resistance. For example, if you spend all day sitting at a desk, with your chest muscles shortened as your shoulders hunch forward, it makes sense for the muscle to shorten to the length required of it.
But all of these changes are controlled by the nervous system- not the muscle itself. And as mentioned above, the brain responds to massage. So when we find a tight or "knotty" muscle, working into it can send a message to the brain to stop sending those tightening signals, and allow the muscle to relax.
You can view our massage therapies here
