Deep tissue
Deep tissue is a type of massage that reaches structures far beneath the superficial layers to relieve chronic muscle problems or injuries. This type of work penetrates between the muscle fibres, which means that a lot of pressure is required. This is the type of technique that may be painful and cause bruising, but it releases a lot of toxins and is very beneficial. It is best done on warm muscles to make it easier to get through the superficial layers.
Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger points are neuromuscular lesions, basically points that are very tender when direct compression is applied. They are common in postural muscles, especially in the shoulders and pelvis. They may refer pain to other regions of the body according to patterns that are well mapped but not yet fully understood. They can be the result of injury, overuse or strain, but also stress, chemicals, drugs or alcohol.
Trigger points are associated with muscle weakness and loss of coordination. They affect the firing patterns of muscles. When the body cannot activate and utilise muscles properly, the body’s biomechanics are affected as a result.
Trigger points do not disappear on their own – they need to be released. Treatment consists in applying sustained pressure (with the thumbs or elbows) for long enough to desensitise the trigger point. This technique can be quite painful but is usually accompanied by a deep sense of relief (usually experienced as “good pain”). Your practitioner will check whether you are comfortable with the level of pressure so that you are always in control of the process.
Trigger points are associated with muscle weakness and loss of coordination. They affect the firing patterns of muscles. When the body cannot activate and utilise muscles properly, the body’s biomechanics are affected as a result.
Trigger points do not disappear on their own – they need to be released. Treatment consists in applying sustained pressure (with the thumbs or elbows) for long enough to desensitise the trigger point. This technique can be quite painful but is usually accompanied by a deep sense of relief (usually experienced as “good pain”). Your practitioner will check whether you are comfortable with the level of pressure so that you are always in control of the process.
Myofascial release
Myofascia refers to the sheath of connective tissue that wraps around muscles. While muscles are designed to contract and relax to create movement, myofascia is designed to retain shape and structure. It is a very densely woven tissue that can develop restrictions as a result of trauma, inflammation, surgery or emotional stress. Fascia in general interpenetrates every muscle, bone, nerve, blood vessel and internal organ – it is one continuous structure that connects everything within the body without interruption. This is why treatment needs to be holistic in nature – what’s going on in the shoulder can certainly affect what’s going on in the hip. We think of muscles in isolation, but truly everything within the body is connected and functions as one.
Myofascial release (or myofascial tensioning) is a technique that consists in pinning down a band of muscle fibres to put it under tension, and then dragging it (or stretching) in the direction of restriction. It is used with very little oil, or products such as gels or lubes that provide very little glide so that the muscle can be pinned down and stretched. This is a very efficient technique that provides a great sense of relief and can achieve incredible results.
Myofascial release (or myofascial tensioning) is a technique that consists in pinning down a band of muscle fibres to put it under tension, and then dragging it (or stretching) in the direction of restriction. It is used with very little oil, or products such as gels or lubes that provide very little glide so that the muscle can be pinned down and stretched. This is a very efficient technique that provides a great sense of relief and can achieve incredible results.
Cupping
Cupping is another ancient healing technique that emerged around 1,500 BC. Cups are used to create a vacuum that increases blood flow in the underlying tissue up to 4 inches below the surface. Cupping is a great way to treat trigger points. This technique can leave marks on the skin which are due to lactic acid and other waste products coming to the surface. These marks can remain visible for up to 2 weeks – best to avoid if you have a wedding or body-building competition coming up!
Stretching
Muscles need to contract to generate movement. If they are already contracted and in a chronically shortened position, they will not be able to contract much more to generate movement. They will become tight, fatigued and be prone to lesions. This is why it is important to stretch.
Your therapist may give you stretches as homework after a session. These stretches will specifically target those muscles that are tight and shortened. For people who spend a lot of time sitting at a computer for example, hip flexers and pecs are very often found to be tight and shortened. Stretching is best done on warm muscles and every stretch should be held for at least 1 minute. Stretching also induces a great sense of relaxation. It is also something you can do in your own time to help you take charge of your own health progress!
There are some great resources available on the Internet. The following website gives a few examples of stretches you can do at home and helps you visualise which muscles you are stretching.
http://beyoungbegreen.com/36-pictures-see-muscle-youre-stretching
Your therapist may give you stretches as homework after a session. These stretches will specifically target those muscles that are tight and shortened. For people who spend a lot of time sitting at a computer for example, hip flexers and pecs are very often found to be tight and shortened. Stretching is best done on warm muscles and every stretch should be held for at least 1 minute. Stretching also induces a great sense of relaxation. It is also something you can do in your own time to help you take charge of your own health progress!
There are some great resources available on the Internet. The following website gives a few examples of stretches you can do at home and helps you visualise which muscles you are stretching.
http://beyoungbegreen.com/36-pictures-see-muscle-youre-stretching
