What is Relaxation Massage?
The aim of Relaxation Massage is to relax you! It is one of the most complete and indulgent massages you can have. It does not usually involve any deeper work and is more like a light Swedish massage. Relaxation massage is a passive treatment. You probably won't be stretched or manoeuvred into any yoga-like positions, as you are, for example, in Thai massage. During a relaxation massage there is less emphasis on working out serious adhesions or knots in the muscle tissue and the therapist won't push your pain limits in order to get the muscle to release. Sometimes people even fall asleep during a relaxation massage.
Benefits:
Relaxation massage is excellent for anyone who is suffering from stress. If you don’t and any serious muscular problems and have more difficulty with relaxing, this is for you. It’s also good for helping with insomnia, IBS and ‘switching off’. Your muscles melt and tension is encouraged to leave your body.
What is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage aimed at the deeper tissue structures of the muscle and fascia, also called connective tissue. Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It is a lot more focused that relaxation massage and the therapist aims to beak up knots and adhesions that have formed in your muscle.
Deep tissue massage should never be very painful, but some discomfort is normal. Your therapist should always work to your pain tolerance levels. If the pressure is too much never feel embarrassed to let your therapist know.
Benefits
Deep tissue massage is excellent for physically working out adhesions, knots and fascial restriction. Chronic pain and muscular tension can really affect everyone’s lives.
It's important to be realistic about what one deep tissue massage can achieve. Many people ask for more pressure, thinking that if the therapist just pushes hard enough, they can get rid of all their knots in an hour. This just won't happen. In fact, undoing chronic knots and tension built up over a lifetime is best achieved with an integrated program that includes exercise, work on your posture and ways of moving, relaxation techniques and a regular program of massage.
Recovery Time for Deep Tissue Massage
Proper recovery time after receiving a Deep Tissue Massage is vital. Some people fail to realise that getting a deep tissue massage is very demanding on your body! Oh it feels so great to get all those lumps and knots kneaded out of you ,
but you are actually getting a major work out too! Your body has to deal with extra toxins being released into your blood stream, your lymphatic system is being stimulated and you also have to deal with the physical-mental aspects. Your therapist is physically breaking down stresses and tension. You have deposited different stressors in your body to deal with at a later stage. Getting a massage forces you to have to physically release this tension and that is very demanding mentally and physically.
When you hear your therapist say ‘please take it easy for the rest of the day, drink plenty of water and stay warm’ or ‘you might experience a little after pain tomorrow, so best take it easy for the day’, LISTEN to them!
It's important to drink a lot of water after a deep tissue massage to help flush your system out. There will be a lot of toxins floating about after your massage so you need to encourage your body to get rid of them
Go for a gentle walk the next day. If you are feeling sore, not moving will NOT help. Go for a gentle walk to get the blood back into your muscles. You will feel much better.
It's possible that you might feel some soreness the day after a deep tissue massage even if you DO drink water. This just means a lot of waste products were flushed out of the tissues. It should pass within a day or so.
