Soft tissue massage is a popular and effective form of therapy. It helps relieve tension, pain, and discomfort in the body’s soft tissues.
When I say soft tissue I am referring to the body’s muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
There are a variety of different types of soft tissue massage treatments. Each with its own unique techniques and benefits.
80% of my clients attend because they have a specific pain or problem. This could be back or neck pain, asthma, or Plantar Fasciitis.
Some choose soft tissue massage as it provides a therapeutic time out to destress and relax. Whilst others use it to prepare and recover from various sporting events.
Personally, I see ‘life‘ as a sport. Life all too often throws us curveballs and we end up pulling a muscle, rolling an ankle, or waking up with a stiff neck.
I believe we are not meant to tolerate or suffer from pain. Yet so many people do. Soft tissue therapy offers the perfect solution to breaking free of our pain. It also allows you to become more aware of how you move day to day to avoid any further pain.
In this blog, we will explore the different types of soft tissue massage treatments, including:
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Remedial Massage
- Sports Massage
We’ll outline the benefits they offer, and how to choose the right one for your specific needs.
Each soft tissue massage starts with a few questions and functional tests.
These questions help pinpoint your pain or discomfort. They help me understand exactly how I can help and provide a much broader picture of why you might be in pain.
The functional tests are key. These don’t take long to complete and they allow us to discover what you can and can’t do. See, every muscle and joint in the body has an optimal state or range of movement. We experience pain or discomfort because a joint or muscle is not in its optimal state.
Even in your first massage session, we can for a better word “iron out” the aches and pains.
And inside a short time frame find balance in the joint and muscles.
And notice that your pain can go or at least drop inside one session.
Let’s explore each type of soft tissue massage treatment.
What is Deep Tissue Massage?
This therapeutic massage focuses on the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. I’ll use slow, firm pressure to break up adhesions and knots in the muscles, tendons, and fascia. I’ll use fingers, hands, elbows, and forearms to apply pressure to specific areas of the body.
The pressure applied can be quite intense. Especially compared to other forms of massage. The aim is not to cause you more pain, far from it in fact. Deep tissue massage challenges the tight muscles to relax and helps you be pain-free.
Deep tissue massage can be beneficial for a range of conditions, including:
- Chronic pain
- Muscle tension
- Injury recovery
- Postural problems
- Improve range of motion
- Reduce inflammation
- Increase blood flow to the muscles
It is important to note that deep tissue massage is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It may not be suitable for everyone.
I always recommended booking a FREE Consultation HERE. This way we can ensure I can help before you book a session and point you toward the right treatment.
You can book a Deep Tissue Massage HERE
What is Remedial Massage?
Remedial massage treats specific musculoskeletal injuries, chronic pain, and other conditions. It uses a variety of massage techniques. Including, some from deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and various stretching protocols. The aim is to relieve muscle tension, improve the range of movement, and decrease pain.
If you have a specific pain or problem, maybe that’s:
- Back pain
- Neck pain
- Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff injury
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Pulled muscle
- Strained muscle
- Runner’s knee
- Achilles tendonitis
- Headaches & Migraines
- Asthma
- Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)
- Stress
- Postural problems
and more…
Remedial massage helps to improve circulation to the affected area. In turn helps reduce inflammation, and promote recovery.
Ultimately, my role is to help improve your overall body function and mobility. Together we’ll address the root causes of your pain and tensions.
Remedial massage, we’ll restore balance to your body and reduce the risk of future pain.
You can book a Remedial Massage HERE.
What is Sports Massage?
Designed for individuals who engage in regular physical activity. This type of massage is intended to help prevent and treat injuries.
In essence, it’s to enhance performance and aid in recovery.
Sports massage therapy involves a combination of deep tissue massage and remedial massage. I may introduce cupping or active release techniques to address specific issues.
Cupping Therapy increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This technique helps relieve muscle tension. The aim is to improve blood flow and promote muscle tissue repair.
Muscle Energy Stretching involves using light muscular contractions prior to stretching. This helps relax the muscle(s) being targeted. It also limits the body’s protective reflex to contract whilst the muscle is being stretched.
Soft Tissue Release is an advanced technique where stretching & friction are used. We’ll target a specific area of a muscle rather than the whole muscle.
Frictions are direct pressure over the soft tissue. The aim is to manipulate the muscle fibers and realign them. It is very useful for breaking down scar tissue and softening adhesions.
Myofascial release is the tough tissue structure that surrounds all your muscles. When this is damaged or traumatized, it can become tight and restrictive. Myofascial release aims to realign the fascia and restore balance.
Trigger Point Therapy is a deep palpation of a specific ‘trigger’ or ‘knot’ to relax the area.
Ultimately, we’ll identify the areas of pain, tension, or discomfort you are experiencing.
And select the best treatment and massage techniques to get you back up and training asap.
You can book a Sports Massage HERE.
In Summary
My role as a therapist is to give you the right types of soft tissue massage treatments at the right time. Although we can say a session is a deep tissue or remedial.
I prefer to see each session as specific to you.
It’s about choosing the best technique for you at the time to help you relax and for the body to hurt less and move better.
Your next step for me to help you be pain-free is to book a FREE consultation.
We can jump on a 10-15 minute phone call. I can ask you about your current pains and discomfort. You can ask me any questions.
At the very least you’ll leave the call with clarity on how to hurt less and move better.
If I feel I can help you in the clinic, we’ll get you booked for your first session.
I look forward to hearing from you
Neale – Soft Tissue Therapist based in Newquay, Cornwall.
To help you right now here are 2 actions to help you become pain-free.
1. Book a free consultation here.
We can arrange a short phone call to see how I can help you.
2. Read this blog: When to see a doctor for back pain – READ NOW
Looking forward to getting you pain-free
