Deep Tissue Massage Treatment​

At Our Auburn, WA Office

 

 

One of our most commonly used massage techniques is deep tissue to ensure each muscle in the body gets the attention it needs. All of our Licensed Massage Therapists are trained and experienced in injury rehabilitation.

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What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep tissue massage, as defined by a 2018 article in the Journal of Bodywork And Movement Therapies, involves the manipulation of the deep layers of muscle tissue in the body, including the fascia and other supportive tissue that make up joints. The purpose is to reach these layers in order to relax, lengthen and release harmful holding patterns.

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Compared to other popular types of massage techniques — including Swedish massage or acupressure, which tend to be lighter in pressure and can involve moving the body into certain positions — deep tissue massage is usually performed more slowly and firmly.

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Many people consider “sports massages” to be a form of deep tissue massage. These involve physical treatment primarily to neuromusculoskeletal systems to treat pain and disability, improve muscle recovery and joint mobilization, and prevent injuries.

 

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

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• Relieves muscle pain and tightness

• Easing tension headaches and associated neck pain 

• Reduces stiffness and tension

• Helps lower high blood pressure

• Minimizes sciatic pain

• Reduces stress & anxiety 

• Promotes relaxation

• Breaks up scar tissue

• Improves athletic recovery & performance

• Relieves joint pain and stiffness

 

Do You Suffer From Headaches?

Headaches are one of the more prevailing maladies that are experienced by both men and women, young to old. There are 150 diagnostic headache categories. Where do headaches come from? What types of headaches exist? And more importantly … how do you get rid of a headache?

 

Some of the most common types of headaches are tension, migraine and sinus; all of these have different underlying reasons for them.

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Migraine

Migraines are defined as more severe than tension headaches. They can be associated with migraine halos or an actual visual representation of the tension. This can be spotted, in swirls – even lights. There is no known cause for migraines, but allergies and hormonal changes can trigger them. (Whether it be red wine, chocolate, or strong odors.)

 

Sinus

These types of headaches occur after an upper respiratory infection and are set in the front of your head – usually right between the eyes. Medication will more than likely be needed for this type of headache, as it is usually caused by bacteria in the nasal sinuses.

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Tension Headaches

You are sitting at your computer, working away, when gradually you notice that your neck is beginning to tense up, and your eyes are starting to strain … before you know it, you have a headache. Tension headaches can be caused by emotional and physical stress, anxiety, and fatigue and are usually differentiated by having the muscles in your neck and scalp tighten and contract. They are also called muscle-contraction headaches.

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Easing Your Tension Headaches

Headaches are a common issue among adults in the United States, with an estimated nine out of ten experiencing them from time to time. Having some form of pain from a headache may be a passing annoyance, or it could be a more frequent discomfort that leads to missing work or taking time away from social activities. The most common type of headache – a tension headache – is often treated with over-the-counter pain medication and rest, but there may be other steps you can take to reduce the occurrence of tension headaches over time.

First, though, it is important to understand why tension headaches happen.

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Understanding Tension Headaches

While less severe than other forms of headaches, such as migraines, tension headaches have certain characteristics that are uncomfortable when not addressed. The symptoms of a tension headache include:

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• Gradual onset of pain or discomfort

• Pain on both sides of the head

• A dull pain that wraps around the head

• Discomfort that extends to the neck or back

• Mild to moderate pain that can last up to several hours

• You may also experience irritability with a tension headache, as well as an inability to focus at home or work.

 

What Causes Tension Headaches?

In many cases, tension headaches are triggered by a stressful event or ongoing stress that isn’t addressed or reduced. A higher level of stress leads to muscle tension in the neck and back, which can be exacerbated by lack of sleep, poor posture, low iron levels, jaw or dental problems, or anxiety. While a simple painkiller will help relieve a tension headache, experts suggest focusing on the underlying cause to keep headaches to a minimum.

 

How to Get Rid of Tension Headaches

Preventing chronic tension headaches is not always possible, but you can take steps to reduce your headache pain. Here are a few recommendations for those who suffer from tension headaches:

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• Take breaks throughout the day to stretch and walk, every 30 minutes to one hour. This is especially important if you have a sedentary job or lifestyle.

• Engage in low-impact exercise a few times each week. Not only does this improve your overall health, but it can also be a great way to minimize the effects of stress on your body.

• Avoid clenching your teeth, as stress on the jaw can lead to tension headaches.

• Stay hydrated and avoid caffeine later in the day to avoid headaches or reduce their severity.

• Breathing and relaxation exercises, including yoga, can help reduce stress and help you decrease the prevalence of tension headaches.

• Eat a consistent, nutritious diet to help keep your energy steady throughout the day.

• Have a sleep routine that ensures you are getting enough restful sleep each night.

• Avoid spending too much time on your devices. This will reduce your likelihood of getting a tech neck which puts added strain on your neck and back muscles.

 

What Helps With Tension Headaches

If tension headaches are constantly plaguing you, one of the best ways to relieve them is with a massage or chiropractic adjustment. As explained above, tension headaches are caused by muscles contracting – massage and chiropractic will help your body relax, which will then allow your muscles to relax – and no more headaches.












 

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Customized Treatment Designed For Your Needs

Each person's body is unique and may require different needs based on their past. So having a one-size-fits-all treatment does not make sense. 

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Our therapists evaluate each patient and then decide what treatment and therapy are right for you. We want to make sure you receive care that will be the most beneficial to you and your needs! 

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The Effects of Stress on the Body

Stress is an inevitable part of everyday life. Work deadlines, family commitments, and financial obligations can lead to anxiety. This anxiety can happen even when you’re working toward achieving balance in the different areas of life.

 

When stress takes hold, subtle to severe changes in your body are imminent. These changes include physical, emotional, and behavioral symptoms. Let’s take a closer look at the ways stress affects our well-being.

 

Physical Effects of Stress

You may think that a dull ache in your back or a sporadic headache is due to an underlying mystery illness. But discomfort may be correlated to how much stress you are experiencing. The physical symptoms of stress can include:

 

• Pain or tension in the muscles

 

• Heaviness in the chest

 

• Constant fatigue

 

• Decreased sex drive

 

• Upset stomach

 

• Insomnia

 

• Headaches

 

The physical symptoms of stress can be blamed on a poor dinner choice, skipping your morning cup of coffee, or incorrect form at the gym. But stress may have more to do with your physical discomfort than any other external factor.

 

Psychological Effects of Stress

Besides uncomfortable physical responses to stress, our bodies tend to react on an emotional level to stress as well.

 

Emotions from stress can include:

• Overwhelming feelings of anxiety or restlessness

• Lack of motivation on the job or at home

• being unable to focus on your growing to-do list

• Or other effects of stress on the brain

In some cases, stress can also lead to ongoing irritability, depression, or anger if it is not managed with care.

 

Behavioral Symptoms

 

For some of us, outside stressors cause shifts in our behaviors as well. Often, stress leads to a withdrawal from social interactions with friends and family. Stress can also encourage a tendency to overdo meals or alcohol consumption. Some may also find it hard to stick with a workout routine or steer clear of bad habits like smoking. While physical and emotional symptoms can be a point of contention, behavioral changes due to stress tend to be the most difficult to overcome.

 

Taking Action Against Stress

Given the impact stress can have on our lives, it is common sense that reducing external stress triggers is a necessary step in living a healthy life. But, changing careers or reducing the number or frequency of commitments to ourselves and others may not be on the docket. Instead of trying to change your entire lifestyle, focus on the small things first.

 

Dedicating a small part of your day toward physical activity is a great first step. Taking a walk or jog, joining a workout class, or even doing that overdue yard work can help raise your heart rate. The resulting endorphins running through your system – assist in reducing the symptoms caused by stress. Making relaxation a priority with a massage or yoga class can be beneficial in reducing tension and the slew of symptoms related to stress. Finally, it is important to maintain a sense of humor when dealing with the common stresses that plague our day-to-day life. Work on taking things a little less seriously while incorporating healthy habits to combat frustrations and annoyances throughout the day. Your body – and mind – will thank you.

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Get Started Today!

Click here or call our Auburn, WA office at 253.833.4800 to set up a consultation to see how we can help you eliminate pain quickly and to accomplish your spinal health goals. Even if you have been suffering for a long time, it can change now. Let us help you.

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