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What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep Tissue Massage is a massage technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue also called connective tissue. It aims to release the persistent patterns of tension in the body (also known as “adhesions”) through slow strokes and deep finger, hand and forearm pressure on the tight areas, either going across or following the fibres of the muscles, fascia and tendons.

Deep tissue massage uses many of the same movements and techniques as Swedish massage, but the pressure will generally be more intense. It helps to break up scar tissue. Deep Tissue Massage usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness or discomfort during or right after the massage. It shouldn’t hurt, but it’s likely to be a bit more uncomfortable than a classic Swedish massage. However, if the massage is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a couple of days. You should always feel free to speak up if the pressure is too much for you!

Why get a Deep Tissue Massage?

It feels good and it is beneficial to your health. If you are stressed muscles are tense, they block oxygen and nutrients, leading to possible inflammation that builds up toxins in the muscle tissue. Deep tissue massages assist muscle tissue release, get blood and oxygen circulating properly and also “liberates” the knots. Because many toxins are released, it’s important to drink plenty of water after a session to help eliminate these toxins quickly from the body.

So what is the purpose of Deep Tissue Massage?

The purpose is to “unstick” the glued fibres of a muscle while releasing the built up tension, eliminate toxins, while relaxing and soothing the muscle itself. It is both remedial and therapeutic.

Precautions Always let your therapist know if you:

- have any skin allergies or conditions

- have problems with your joints

- are, or think you could be, pregnant

- have recently undergone surgery, or are prone to or recovering from injury

- You have any other medical condition, or are receiving treatment of any kind

- have a history of respiratory or heart problems

As this might affect the kind of treatment you can have, or on what areas of your body the therapist can work on. Deep tissue massage is also not recommended for people with acute or long-term mental health problems.

As with any massage, it’s a good idea to avoid big meals and alcohol beforehand.

At BTS all our mobile massage and beauty therapists are qualified, extremely experienced, uniformed, vetted, professional yet friendly in their approach and provide only the best client care at all times. Also, after the completion of their massage diploma BTS provides in-house Deep Tissue Massage training.Contact us today to further discuss your personal needs and requirements. One of our experts should be at hand for you to answer all your questions!

Helping Children Find Focus

Cathy Ulrich

Imagine lying on a massage table. As your massage therapist sets to work, you feel your body relax. Your muscles soften, your nervous system calms. Now, imagine how you feel when the massage is over–relaxed, alert, calm, and content.

Anyone who has gotten a massage understands the many benefits that it offers. Massage is usually reserved for adults–or sometimes infants–but what about massage for kids and adolescents? If massage helps calm the body and improve alertness, how might it help kids with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Can children and teenagers who can’t sit still benefit from massage?

Understanding ADHD

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is rapidly rising as the most common psychiatric diagnostic label for children. Anywhere from 3-7 percent of all school-age children and adolescents may have it, and it is one of the primary causes of behavioral problems in general pediatric settings. Nine boys are diagnosed with ADHD for every girl, but the rate of diagnosis for girls has been rising as well, and girls who are diagnosed have the same level of impairment as boys.

Kids with ADHD show difficulty holding attention and display impulsive behaviors and overactivity levels beyond what might be expected for their age group. They typically show poorer academic performance, have difficulty in social settings, and can’t adapt as well emotionally as kids without ADHD. Studies show that a diagnosis of ADHD puts kids at higher risk for delinquent behaviors and substance abuse. Other diagnoses such as learning disabilities, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders are often seen in the same children.

Medical Treatments

Now a household name, the drug Ritalin is the most common medication prescribed for children diagnosed with ADHD. In fact, it’s the most common drug prescribed for any childhood disorder. It’s been estimated that more than five million school-age children take Ritalin annually.

Known to stimulate areas of the brain associated with attention, arousal, and inhibition, Ritalin seems to help improve ADHD symptoms in about 75 percent of cases, but its effects last only as long as it’s taken, and it does produce side-effects. Nervousness, headaches, sleeplessness, and rapid heart rate are sometimes seen with its use, and overdose can produce severe effects such as agitation, hallucinations, high blood pressure, seizures, heart arrhythmias, and psychosis. In addition, studies are only now being conducted on long-term effects.

Ritalin, as well as other psychostimulant drugs, can be effective in improving attention span and modifying behaviors associated with ADHD, but kids need to be monitored carefully for side effects and appropriate dosage.

Massage for ADHD

Two recent studies conducted by the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami reported that regular massage therapy can be an effective treatment for kids with ADHD. One study found adolescent boys who received ten 15-minute daily massages were observed by their teachers to be more focused in their schoolwork, and they fidgeted less. In addition, the children rated themselves as happier than those who participated in a relaxation therapy program.

Another study involved kids aged 7-18, 20 percent of whom were girls. Each subject received a 20-minute massage twice a week. They showed immediate improvement in their moods and longer-term behavioral improvement in the classroom. They also reported feeling happier and their teachers found them to be more attentive.

In adult studies, massage has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol, helping to mitigate the active fight-or-flight response. Massage also helps improve math computation performance and raises alertness levels, as measured on electroencephalograms (EEGs). Finally, massage decreases depression and increases mental focus. The same effects are seen in children and teenagers with ADHD.

The Details

Incorporating professional massage into your child’s routine may help him to develop an age-appropriate ability to focus, a calmer disposition, and even increased confidence. Studies report that two 20-minute massages a week are enough to show significant improvement in ADHD children. Because these kids have trouble staying still for prolonged periods, they better tolerate shorter, more frequent massages.

For massage on children with ADHD, a practitioner generally uses simple, moderate-pressure strokes to the child’s head/neck, arms, torso, legs, and back. Dividing time between these areas–say four minutes each–will address the full body and is enough to get the desired effect. Most kids do fine fully clothed.

A comfortable bed, chair, or table in a quiet room is best. For parents seeking skilled bodywork for their kids, chair massage is a great choice, done with the child fully clothed and for about 20-30 minutes at a time.

In addition, supplementing with home massages between professional sessions can also be useful. Talk to your massage therapist about private massage lessons for you. She can teach you simple, effective techniques to use on your child when frequent visits to the massage therapist may not be practical.

By adding massage to your child’s routine, you’re giving him much needed physical contact and helping to calm his nervous system, which will pay dividends in his ability to do school work, interact with peers and teachers, and be happier in general. And if you’re massaging your child yourself, you’ll create the opportunity for a stronger emotional bond between the two of you.

Massage enthusiasts right here in the fabulous Lutz area can now rejoice! Massage Envy, America’s leading massage clinic chain with over 800 branches nationwide, is now here, ready to serve the needs of residents around Carrollwood, Wesley Chapel and the rest of Tampa, Florida. With a wonderful sanctuary designed specifically for ultimate rest and relaxation, Massage Envy makes it possible for everyone to enjoy the benefits of regular massage sessions at a great, affordable price.

Massage Envy’s frequently trained therapists specialize in a wide variety of massage therapy techniques. Here are two things that Lutz residents will be happy to learn about…

Sports Massage

Athletes are under immense physical stress and are therefore prone to injuries. Intense practice and workouts can lead to constant build-up of tension in the muscles and thus cause stress on joints, ligaments, tendons, as well as the muscles themselves. Apart from muscle tension, athletes are also bogged down with fatigue and injuries that may hamper the main performance. Sports massage is the answer to emotional and physical well being for an athlete before, after and during a competition.

Massage Envy’s Sports Massage is a specific type of massage generally rendered before, during, and after athletic events to help prepare the athlete, to relax the nerves and prevent injuries. It is a blend of Swedish and Shiatsu, designed to cater to athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike in the Lutz area. Only qualified professional massage therapists may render this technique, those who have a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology and particularly the muscular and skeletal systems—something Massage Envy is quite proud of.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is where the discomfort within deeper muscular layers is focused on. The techniques used in this kind of massage therapy are very similar to those of Swedish massage as well with a few differences. Swedish Massage restricts itself to the superficial muscular layers where the movements and pressures are not enough to deal with the pains and discomforts developed in the lower muscular regions, the intensity of which is much more painful and lasts for a considerably longer span of time.

Massage Envy’s specially trained therapists employ deep tissue massage techniques using slow and intense movements along the pressure areas to reach to the inner layers. The therapist may use his forearms, hand joints, fingers or thumbs to apply deep and intense movements. This technique is also very useful in improving the flow of oxygen along the blood and removing wastes in the entire system of the body, boosting the living cells that give energy and vitality.

Massage has truly come a long way from its ancient humble origins. In the east, massage has continued to be seen as holistic and beneficial health care continuing through out the ages. In the western world, massage has faced more struggles to maintain its existence. But it has thus survived all odds on scientific and therapeutic grounds to bring about the healing image it has today. Today, the popularity of massage can be accredited to the highly stressful conditions of modern living and various harmful side effects of so-called medicines. People are now increasingly looking for holistic and natural healthcare methods for their health problems. It is this that has made Massage Therapy one of the most popular forms of health activity of our times.

And now residents of Tampa can enjoy this truly uplifting and rejuvenating experience. Visit Massage Envy located at 17673 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, Florida 33548 and schedule a session today!