Anyone with osteoporosis or cancer that has spread to the bones should avoid deep tissue massage, as the firm pressure applied can cause a fracture. You should also postpone deep tissue massages if you're pregnant. Milder types of massage, such as Swedish massage, may be a better option. People with osteoporosis and cancer that has spread to the bones should avoid deep tissue massage, as it can cause bone fractures.
Deep tissue massage can sometimes be uncomfortable, but it shouldn't be completely painful. Knowing which clients you should avoid deep tissue massages will depend on your own judgment, as this may include people with frailty or circulation problems. By applying appropriate pressure, deep tissue massage speeds up recovery to ease pain, she says. Deep tissue massage can increase athletes' athletic performance because it breaks up scar tissue and increases range of motion.
The primary objective of a deep tissue massage is to exercise areas of pain and tension, as well as to release knots and adhesions in the underlying muscle and fascia. A deep tissue massage is a way to move emotions in the body and allow an emotional release, relieving stress and anxiety in the mental environment. In other words, when you receive a deep tissue massage, you benefit from the physical and psychological relief it can provide. People often use deep tissue massage to treat muscle injuries, chronic pain, and tension in specific areas of the body. It may not be possible to perform a deep tissue massage in the workplace unless there is a designated massage room for this.
Deep muscle extraction and myofascial release (MFR) may cause some bruising or pain, but joint stretches performed during a deep tissue session shouldn't cause pain in the following days, Montia says. These areas should be avoided, as massaging the abdomen can harm the baby and massaging the legs can dislodge blood clots that may accumulate due to increased blood volume during pregnancy. There is no standard choreography for deep tissue massage and all therapists have different styles that must be adapted to the client's individual needs, says Chris Minehan, LMT, founding owner from Reclaimed Being Therapeutical Massage. It's common to feel pain and tenderness after a deep tissue massage, especially if the therapist was working in areas of muscle tension and stiffness.
While there are many reasons why a pregnant client may want to receive a deep tissue massage during pregnancy, such as stress, emotions, and physical changes, this should always be avoided unless you have the appropriate training and experience to do so.
