5 Advantages of Deep Tissue Massage That Can Transform Your Recovery

A study published in ScienceDirect in 2024 reviewed the results of the 2022 National Health Interview Survey. It found that of the 27,600+ adult Americans polled, 11.1% received massage therapy in the past year. Restoring overall health and improving pain were common reasons, with the rate among massage users being 8.5% and 6%, respectively.

The above figures show that wellness and pain reduction are among what many people consider to be the benefits and advantages of deep tissue massage therapy. By opting for this physical therapy modality, you can also enjoy these perks and more.

Join our team at MPOWER Physical Therapy in today’s guide as we share insights into how deep tissue massage can help support your well-being and transform your recovery.

1. Pain Relief

Deep tissue massage techniques target the deeper layers of connective tissue and muscle. It aims to break down adhesions.

Adhesions are sections of abnormal connections of scar tissue that form between muscles, muscle fibers, and surrounding tissues like fascia. Given their characteristics, they can:

• Restrict movement
• Reduce flexibility
• Contribute to stiffness and pain

Injuries, prolonged inactivity, and overuse are common causes and triggers of adhesions. Deep tissue therapy can help address these abnormal connections through the application of sustained pressure involving slow and deep strokes. The strokes work to relieve tension in connective tissues and muscles.

By breaking down adhesions, deep tissue massage can reduce tension that causes pain during movement.

The relaxing effects of deep tissue therapy can also trigger the release of endorphins, which Harvard Health Publishing says are the body’s natural pain relievers. One of their roles is to reduce pain signals. More of these chemicals in the body may then lead to a blunted perception of pain.

Research supports these wellness benefits of massage that target the deep tissues. A systematic review of massage therapy published in JAMA Network found that it had positive, beneficial associations with pain.

2. Boost Muscle Recovery

The slow, intentional strokes used during deep tissue massage therapy promote increased circulation. Enhancing blood flow to the treatment can aid in reducing inflammation. It also supplies much-needed oxygen and nutrients to affected tissues, encouraging muscle recovery and healing.

The strokes used in deep tissue massage also have a stimulating effect on mechanoreceptors. When “activated,” these mechanoreceptors signal the central nervous system (CNS) to release neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine and serotonin, also called “happy hormones,” promote relaxation.

A recent study published in the National Library of Medicine also points out that deep tissue muscle therapy works on:

• Areas of chronic tension
• Adhesions
• Trigger points

By addressing the above, deep tissue massage can reduce muscle pain and stiffness and encourage faster recovery.

3. Improve Flexibility

Loss of flexibility and limited range of motion can result from many factors, including:

• Aging
• Being sedentary or inactive
• Injuries

According to MedlinePlus, aging causes the joints to stiffen and become less flexible. Getting older also causes a decrease in joint fluid. The cartilage then becomes more prone to rubbing together and wearing away.

Being sedentary, a lifestyle habit characterized by not moving about and engaging in exercise and physical activity, exacerbates the effects of aging. It can promote the shortening of muscles and tendons, increasing one’s susceptibility to injuries.

While regular deep tissue massage won’t stop aging, it can help reduce or slow down its flexibility-losing impact. The techniques it uses can help keep adhesions and knots that restrict movement at bay. It can also promote elasticity, enhancing overall flexibility and mobility.

4. Reduce Stress

According to researchers of a study published in the National Library of Medicine, chronic stress results in higher levels of cortisol and catecholamines. They’re stress hormones that affect the musculoskeletal system. Prolonged exposure to high levels of cortisol can lead to:

• Muscle wasting
• Decreased bone density
• Exacerbated musculoskeletal tension
• Prolonged recovery from injuries of the musculoskeletal system
• Higher risk of developing low back pain and fibromyalgia
• Tension headaches
• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders

As mentioned above, deep tissue massage promotes the release of hormones like endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin. As mood-boosting natural chemicals, they can help relieve stress and tension in people who undergo physical therapy massage.

The pain-relieving effects of deep tissue massage can also help individuals feel better. After all, being in pain, especially if it’s constant, is inherently stressful. The physical and emotional tension it causes also exacerbates discomfort and heightens stress levels, resulting in a vicious cycle.

By helping ease pain, deep tissue massage can alleviate stress. In doing so, it may also help combat the adverse effects of chronic stress.

5. Enhance Sleep Quality

Pain and stress can adversely affect sleep duration and overall quality, as they can make it difficult to fall and stay asleep. They can also contribute to a cycle of increased pain and more sleep problems, given that sleep is critical not just to muscle recovery but the body’s overall healing.

Deep tissue massage can help enhance sleep quality because, as discussed above, it can help promote a reduction in pain, stress, and tension. The relaxation it brings can also assist individuals in finding it easier to fall asleep.

The boost in dopamine and serotonin that deep tissue massage results in can also benefit sleep. Both neurotransmitters, after all, play roles in sleep and mood regulation. They help promote a sense of relaxation and calm that assists the body in preparing for sleep.

If you have been struggling to achieve good quality sleep due to stress and pain, consider trying deep tissue massage.

Ready to Enjoy the Advantages of Deep Tissue Massage?

From pain relief to enhanced muscle recovery, improved flexibility, reduced stress, and better sleep, these are just some of the many benefits and advantages of deep tissue massage. By regularly incorporating this therapeutic modality into your lifestyle and schedule, you can transform your recovery and support your health and overall well-being.

MPOWER Physical Therapy is here to support your journey to recovery and well-being with our medical and orthopedic approaches. Our team of massage specialists, physical therapists, nutrition experts, and personal trainers has decades of combined experience. Expect state-of-the-art equipment, including full-weight rooms and AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmills, in our Nashville, Franklin, and Brentwood, TN, locations.

Call us today to learn more about our high-quality services and book your appointment!