How is Swedish Massage Different from Deep Tissue Massage
What is a Swedish Massage?
Swedish Body Massage Health Benefits
There have been numerous body massage techniques being used all over the world, out of which Swedish Body Massage aces them all. Body massage is essential to get all the tender points released and softened beforehand. Tender and trigger points are most often ignored in common practice, but they may bring about severe body ache with restricted normal ranges of function.
Swedish Body Massage is an excellent technique to help release latent tender points smoothly with stimulation of body circulation and is a source of spiritual contentment too.
What Exactly is Swedish Body Massage Therapy?
Swedish Body Massage Miami holds utmost importance for being a combination of relaxing techniques and exercises that works on the dynamics of human’s soft tissues and joints. The masseur will rub and gently glide his hands with alternate firm and gentle strokes on different areas that needs to be eased down. The general Anatomy and Physiology are kept in mind during the relaxing techniques to ensure maximum blood flow to the heart and muscles during the therapy.
The deep pressure makes it a standout among all techniques in this therapy. Tender and trigger points are released only with deep pressure, that may hurt not just a little. Some may think they have developed a disease due to restricted movement at a certain area, the reason behind this is often misunderstood. These points are a real thing that needs to be handled before further harm. The original therapy for trigger and tender point release is quite tricky and painful, people tend to go for Swedish body massage when they are told they have developed tender points. Athletes tend to have regular muscle cramps despite of their routine. The most outstanding massage therapy that may help Athletes ease their pain and show maximum performance is noted to Swedish Massage Therapy due to several reasons.
Can you count on the Health Benefits of this Massage Therapy?
We bet you were not aware of the various Health Benefits this Massage Therapy holds. Let’s dig in:
1. Stimulates Circulation of Blood
Circulation of Blood is an essential part of one’s life cycle and this therapy strongly focuses in stimulating the flow of blood towards heart and the muscles. Bruises after massage are not common but they do exist, why? You must check on which massage therapy are you getting. Not all massage therapies revolve around the idea of blood circulation. All techniques used in Swedish Body Massage Therapy strongly focuses in getting your mini heart pumped efficiently while you relax on the massage couch. The masseuse of this therapy understands the basic Anatomy and Physiology of Vessels running around in the body and their proper drainage.
2. Relaxes the Body
The most common fact about almost all massage therapies. But what makes this therapy standout among all? This therapy does not consider generalized relaxation of the body. All minor to major parts of the body are relaxed when you leave the massage table.
3. Relieves Pain
Consistent muscle ache is often found in Athletes despite of their routine of strenuous loading. Legs specifically aches immensely, and regular muscle cramps are noticed. Swedish Body Massage Therapy helps ease the pain by not bringing further loading to the soft tissues and joints. The deep pressure may hurt a little, but when that firm pressure is released, a whole new level of relief is felt.
Swedish massage technique relaxes your entire body. This includes rubbing the muscles with long gliding strokes in the direction of blood returning to the heart. Swedish massage therapy is much more than relaxation. It is exceptionally beneficial for increasing the level of oxygen in the blood, decreasing muscle toxins, improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension.
According to a study by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, published in The New York Times, people who received a 45-minute Swedish massage experienced significant decreases in levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as arginine vasopressin-a hormone that can lead to increases in cortisol. It was also found that it helps in increasing in the number of lymphocytes, white blood cells that are part of the immune system, and a boost in the immune cells that may help fight colds and the flu.
What is a Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage is a kind of a massage that uses slow and firm strokes to ease the muscles and release tensions deep in the skin. This technique works on the deeper layers of muscle tissue.
Deep tissue massage is similar to Swedish massage. In this technique, the finger pressure concentrates on particular areas, and relax the fibers of muscles and tendons.
This massage features in different forms of massage such as Swedish massage, Thai massage, Sports/muscular massage, Lymphatic drainage.
It is very effective for the people with muscular pain. Here are different types of deep tissue massage.
Cupping
In cupping, a heated cup is placed on your body and a vacuum is created. This vacuum sucks up your skin which drains extra fluids and toxins from the muscle tissue and stimulates the nervous system. This treatment looks alarming but is a very relaxing technique and increases the flow of blood in the body.
Cross-fibre friction
This kind of treatment is used to treat chronic muscular tension.
Trigger point therapy
In this treatment, the pressure is put on certain trigger points which temporarily stops the flow of blood but then releases it. This is a very powerful treatment which makes the arteries and limb feel strong. This technique is also a feature of Thai massage.
Balinese and Indonesian massage
This massage technique is highly effective in curing sports injuries. It combines a variety of massage techniques such as reflexology, acupressure, and aromatherapy.
Myofascial release
Myofascial release also called “connective tissue massage” is a technique that releases tension and physical pain in the body. It is used to treat patients with some soft tissue problems.
Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
Stress relief
The primary motive to give a massage to someone is to make him feel relax. Thus, deep tissue massage also plays the similar role. It helps a person to ease the stress in a healthy manner. In a journal of the National Medical Association, it was observed in 2003 that 60 to 80 percent of people prone to stress visit doctor’s clinic. Stress can damage the mental and then physical health of a person. So, it is very important for a person to stay away from unwanted stress.
Pain relief
Deep tissue massage also eases the pain. In a research published in an April 2014 issue of Manual Therapy, it was found that deep tissue massage to posterior calf muscles, along with self-stretching exercises can help in the reduction of participants’ pain associated with plantar fasciitis. Additionally, deep tissue massage can also be used for fibromyalgia, tennis elbow or low-back pain, potentially providing some much-needed relief.
It makes movements flexible
It helps to remove scar tissues and makes it easy for the muscles to move. Scars tissues are formed when the skin is injured or damaged. Such scars sometimes occur deeper in the body. Deep tissue massage is the massage that fixes the scars and heals the skin.
It can lower blood pressure
Deep Tissue Massage can also lower the blood pressure. A study published in 2008 in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine reported muscle spasm or strain. In a survey, the blood pressure and heart rate were accessed prior to a 45 to 60-minute deep tissue massage. It was founded that after deep tissue massage, the patient had lower systolic and diastolic pressure, as well as heart rates around 10 beats less per minute.
If you want to offer these benefits to clients, consider becoming trained in deep tissue massage. With it, you can be prepared to better serve athletes, people managing chronic pain, and other specialized populations.
Deep tissue massage helps to relax muscles, increases the flow of blood oxygen in the body. The people who are recovering from accidents and sports injuries are greatly affected by deep tissue massage. It also breaks down scar tissue and knots in the muscles.
If you are planning for deep tissue massage, let your therapist know if you:
• Are pregnant
• have heart or respiratory problems
• have problems with your joints
• have any skin allergies
• have had surgery recently.
• Are recovering from injury
This is also not recommended for people who have acute or long-term mental health problems.
Side effects of Deep Tissue Massage
Although deep tissue massage provides a lot of relief in stress there are certain side effects of deep tissue massage. Here are few of them.
Lingering pain
Deep tissue massage has a very pressurized technique due to which people can sometimes suffer from lingering pain after the therapy. If your pain after the therapy lasts more than a few days, check an expert for further advice.
Fatigue
For sometimes, after the massage the body will feel relax but after that, your body will start having muscle aches or fatigue.
The possible reason for a headache after the massage is the wrong head posture during the massage. But the headaches during the massage is uncommon. So, consider seeing a doctor if you feel kind of the pain in your head after the massage.
How Swedish Massage is different from Deep Tissue Massage?
There is a lot of difference between Swedish Massage and a Deep Tissue Massage. Swedish massage focuses on improving circulation of blood and lymph and relaxing superficial muscles. Deep tissue massage focuses on connective tissue. The main aim of deep tissue massage is to produce changes in movement and posture.
Swedish massage increases the circulation of blood and lymph, which eventually cleans and nourishes soft tissues–the skin and muscle. It lengthens and relaxes the superficial muscles and stimulates peristalsis in the intestines. Deep tissue creates micro-tears in the fascia which creates muscles that are more flexible, supple and help in having greater range of motion.
You can choose Swedish massage for relaxation to increase circulation of blood and lymph, for relief of pain, improved mood, improved sleep and sharper thinking. Whereas deep tissue massage can be chosen for chronic pain that is muscular in origin, to improve posture and range of motion. Deep Tissue Massage improves athletic performance as it produces changes in movement to which you need to become accustomed before competing.
Swedish massage is considered to be more soothing than therapeutic, the Touch Therapy Institute in Florida shows that Swedish or classic massage has many therapeutic benefits. Deep tissue massage shouldn’t be painful. The therapists are well-trained and work very slowly, within the client’s tolerance, to stretch muscle layers without causing pain or damage.
The above difference can also be classified into following pointers to avoid confusion. These pointers will give you a subtle idea as what you can choose and is the best for you.
Get a Swedish Massage if:
– You are stressed about work or home life. The main aim of Swedish massage relaxation and comfort, It helps to relieve stressors that affect you on a daily basis.
-You’re looking for general relaxation
-You are sensitive to deep pressure
-You need increased circulation, relief of pain, improved mood, better sleep, and sharper thinking
Get a Deep Tissue Massage if:
– You experience chronic pain in a particular muscle group.
– You are consistently involved in heavy physical activity. Deep Tissue massage is designed to relieve tension and aches in muscles that might be overworked or strained.
– You have sustained prior injuries that are still bothering you. Deep Tissue massage will help to promote the mending of those muscles and to work out any kinks or knots that have formed as a result of that injury.
-You want to work on a long term plan of care with specific functional outcomes.
-You want to target specific tight muscles and relieve tension in the deeper muscle layers.
