What Does “Deep Tissue” Really Mean?

The body is incredibly complex and harmoniously balanced.  It’s quite remarkable when you get down to the cellular level how deep the body and its systems go.  When it comes to the muskulo-skeletal system, the layers are just as delicate and refined, and not just something to dig an elbow as deep as possible into.

So, what is deep tissue massage?  Deep tissue is a massage modality that focuses on releasing knots and tension (and beyond) in deeper layers of muscle within the body, beneath the superficial muscles. Knowledge of the muscle directions, layers, and tendon attachments is required to properly access the deeper problem areas.

When deep tissue is required it’s a therapists patience, not physical force, that allows for access into these layers; whether it’s all the warming and softening of the superficial layers, or the slow easing through those layers en route to the deeper muscle tissue below; the key is not force, but focus.

A therapist must know how to sink into and through muscle layers to reach the deeper muscles and fascia and properly manipulate the problem area. This is most easily done with ‘sharper tools,’ i.e. knuckles, forearms, and elbows (oh my).

All in all, “Deep Tissue” is really just a therapists best-marketing-friend because EVERYONE wants deep tissue massage. But know that a therapist who promotes “no pain, no gain” deep tissue massage may leave you in a worse state than when you arrived for your session. The goal is not to cause more muscle contraction; it’s to release chronic and acute tension, and re-educate the muscle fibers. C’mon now!

Hope this gives you a better idea of deep tissue massage. Find out more about the art and science of massage therapy at my website, www.brainbodymassage.com, and let’s book your next session soon.

101 Studies Focusing on the Benefits of Massage Therapy

It’s so easy to forget the numerous benefits of massage therapy when the majority of the time we are usually looking for relief from pain or release from stress. If we widen our lens, though, the scientific community has time-and-time-again found benefits to massage therapy (sometimes modality specific) that exceed our health and wellness expectations.

Below is a list of 101 scientific studies that focus on the benefits of massage and manual therapy. Check it out: some may surprise you; some may have you rolling your eyes; some may relate to you specifically.

Enjoy the read and I hope to see you soon!  Thank you to MassageChairCompare.com for the incredible list and massage resource.


101 Massage Therapy Studies

  1. Relief from Fibromyalgia Symptoms
  2. Reduce Abdominal Fat
  3. Massage Promotes Blood Health
  4. Reduction of Labor Pain in Childbirth
  5. Self-Shiatsu Massage for Sleep
  6. Benefits for Children with Autism
  7. Restless Leg Syndrome Relief
  8. ADHD Improvement
  9. Reduction in Menstrual Pain
  10. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptom Reduction
  11. Increased Interactions Between Mothers and Infants
  12. Massage to Promote Sleep in Postmenopausal Women
  13. Increased Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients
  14. Relief from Depression
  15. Significantly Improved Social Bonding
  16. Improved Immune System
  17. Increased Brain Capacity & Alertness
  18. Improved Sleep
  19. Asthma Control
  20. Less Postpartum Depression
  21. Reduction in PMS
  22. Relief for Sore Muscles
  23. Reduction in Pain
  24. TMJ Symptom Reduction
  25. Cure for Tension Headaches
  26. Reduction of Infantile Colic Symptoms
  27. Open Heart Surgery Patients Benefit
  28. Reduction of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain
  29. Massage Therapy Increases Circulation and Alleviates Muscle Soreness
  30. Reduction of Osteoarthritis Knee Pain
  31. Lowered Stress in GERD Infants
  32. Relieves Back Pain
  33. Reduction in Constipation in the Elderly
  34. Reduced Constipation for Adults
  35. Healing for Eating Disorders
  36. Lessened Heel Stick Pain in Infants
  37. Reduction in Symptoms of Menopause
  38. Increased Flexibility and Range of Motion
  39. Lowered Heart Rate and Blood Pressure
  40. Mood Booster
  41. Reduction in Migraines
  42. Nervous System Calming with Massage and Heat
  43. Reduced Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms
  44. Improved Activities for Parkinson’s Patients
  45. Reduced Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms
  46. Reduced Agitation
  47. Preterm Infants’ Weight Gain
  48. Minimizing of Aggression in Preschool Children
  49. Reduction in Anxiety with Facial Massage
  50. Reduced Fatigue Related to Cancer
  51. Reduced Nauseas in Chemotherapy Patients
  52. Reduced Pain in Knee Patients
  53. Reduced Ascites-Related Symptoms in Cancer Patients
  54. Reduced Pain in Post-operative Patients
  55. Reduction of Inflammation and Healing of Muscles
  56. Reduced Neonatal Jaundice
  57. Chronic Pain Management
  58. Blood Glucose Level Control in Children
  59. Benefits to Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients
  60. Improvement in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
  61. Reduction in Shoulder Pain
  62. Relief from Chronic Neck Pain
  63. Chronic Neck Pain Relieved by Longer Massages
  64. Dyspnoea Improvement
  65. Reduced Essential Tremor Severity
  66. Improved Healing of Burn Scars
  67. Better Balance for the Elderly
  68. Reduction in Child and Adolescent Anxiety
  69. Increased Health in Neonates
  70. Relief for Fibromyalgia
  71. Immunity Increase in Leukemia Patients
  72. Reduced Low Back Pain
  73. Immune System Boost
  74. Reduced Constipation in MS Patients
  75. Reduced Symptoms of Metastatic Bone Patients
  76. Infant Health Benefits from Massage with Oil
  77. Mental and Physical Health in Infants
  78. Bone Marrow Transplant
  79. Improvement Acute and Critical Care Patients
  80. Reduced Stress in Nurses
  81. Positive Benefits on Immune System
  82. Increased Immune System Function
  83. Hand Massage Reduces Agitation in Elderly
  84. Minimized Anxiety and Pain from Surgery
  85. Good for Pregnancy and Marriage
  86. Healing from Abuse
  87. Relief for Chronic Low Back Pain
  88. Eases Fibromyalgia Pain
  89. Better Work Performance
  90. Quicker Recovery for Bodybuilders
  91. Reduced Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
  92. Reduced Cocaine Cravings
  93. Benefits for Post-Surgery Mastectomy Patients
  94. Aid to Disaster Evacuees
  95. Pain and Nausea Relief in Pediatric Transplant Patients
  96. Heart Health Benefits
  97. Improved Function for MS Patients
  98. Benefits for Schizophrenia
  99. Induction of Labor in Post-Term Pregnancies
  100. Reduction of Illness in Third World Children
  101. Enhanced Motor Development in Down Syndrome Children