Deep tissue and deep muscle massage and myofascial therapy

 In the previous material we were introduced to various types of techniques practiced by massage therapists. In this article we will focus on several massage techniques, the practice of which requires a deep knowledge of a specialist in manual therapy.

Massage and Deep Muscle Manual Therapy

This is a massage technique created by Darcy. The main focus of this technique is the muscles that are manipulated in depth with the help of special movements performed by the therapist.

It is applicable to all muscle groups in the body that for some reason suffer from poor blood and lymph flow. Low blood flow to the muscles is common in fitness athletes aiming for weight gain.

This happens a few hours after performing split split programs that load one or two muscle groups without performing a cardio set at the end of the workout.

This massage technique also has healing properties that come from its ability to affect cellular muscle nutrition.

It is often used in the prevention of chronic headache, muscle pain syndromes, muscle trauma caused by a stroke, and more.

Deep tissue massage

This type of massage therapy is designed to focus the impact of massage on a very specific area, which may include several types of tissue.

The path of the therapist's palms on the skin surface is usually restricted to a small area of impact, so very little lubricant is used for this massage. The procedure is used to manipulate joints, muscles and areas where two or more muscle groups connect.

Massage is characterized by a smooth transition in the exercise of pressure and a gradual penetration into the depth of the tissues. This relieves the massagers who have different pressure tolerances, enabling the therapist to find an individual approach to the patient.

If the pressure is applied too tightly and quickly, the mechanoreceptors in the tissues will contract the muscles in order to protect the area from injury.

In such cases, there is a certain risk of contractions and micro-injuries. It is important to mention that practicing this type of manual therapy requires specialized education and considerable experience.

The most commonly used techniques during deep tissue therapy are:

    massage with strengthened fingers;
    massage with opposite thumbs;
    massage with the base of the palm;
    wrist massage;
    flat elbow massage;
    forearm massage.

Myo-fascial relaxation massage

This is a massage technique related to manual stretching therapy. Its main purpose is to relax the fascia and the tissues between it, the bones and muscles, including the dermis.

This is achieved by manipulating the so-called. trigger points of pain, also called "key points".

The technique involves prolonged pressing of the spots and stretching of the fascia and tissues.

The fascia is located between the muscles and bones and between the muscles and the dermis (a group of covering tissues including the skin). It is a network of connective tissues that connect muscles, organs and bones.

Blood vessels, nerves and lymphatic channels pass through it. Muscles and fascia create a common structure - myo-fascia.

If temporary problems occur in a particular part of the fascia that limit its permeability and tone, it can cause changes in the printed parts of the fascia in close areas of the body, such as pulling a spider web.

Such changes in fascia occur most often after:

    impact injuries;
    overstretching;
    muscular injuries (breaks in whole myofibrils and sheaves);
    micromuscular injuries in combination with heavy blood flow, high levels of lactic acid and deficiency of mineral salts (due to heavy volume training for one or more close muscle groups);
    pressure and poor blood flow due to poor posture;
    another type of local stress.

This is where myo-fascial relaxation massage comes into play. It aims to restore tissue balance by improving blood flow and dissipating tension in the fascia and surrounding tissues.

The therapy was created by Dr. Janet Travel in the 1940s in the United States. It has received various names over the years:

    Myo-fascial massage of the key points;
    Myo-fascial therapy;
    Myo-fascial pain therapy.

There are two main divisions of myo-fascial relaxation therapy and they are indirect and direct therapy. However, we will focus on them in the next specialized material.