This type of massage is frequently used when there is some kind of restriction in the fascia or muscle. These restrictions sometimes called adhesions, can form as a result of injury or chronic muscle tension patterns, may limit movement, create pain, and result in postural compensation patterns. Deep tissue techniques may be uncomfortable for some clients, but by breaking up the restrictions and restoring space to the tissues, circulation and lymphatic flow are increased and health can be restored.

Deep tissue modalities often consist of applications of intense, localized pressure to access the deep tissue layers, but there are also some very subtle techniques that can accomplish the same effect. It may seem counterintuitive that a subtle technique could be a deep tissue modality, but there is a common misconception that deep means hard. Consider the effect of vibrations. When you feel the rumbling of loud thunder or the booming bass of a car stereo or you strike a tuning fork and hold it against your skin, you may feel the vibrations resonate deep in your chest or throughout your entire body. Likewise, the deeper tissue layers can be affected with minimal energy and very little pressure by applying vibration or other subtle techniques.

Another common misconception is that deeper means better. That is not always the case. Sometimes deep sustained pressure can be more aggravating to already inflamed and overworked tissues. The massage therapist may advise to use some myofascial techniques to address the tissues or hydrotherapy techniques. In any case, it is always a good idea to communicate with your massage therapist when the pressure gets to be too deep, past the point of pain.

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Works Cited
Braun, Mary Beth., and Stephanie J. Simonson. Introduction to Massage Therapy. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2005. Print.
Stillerman, Elaine. The Encyclopedia of Bodywork from Acupressure to Zone Therapy. Facts on File. 1996.