What We Do
CONNECT
We connect with our clients by listening and taking a thorough intake upon meeting you. We will then customize & design a massage therapy session that serves you best. This may include asking about any or all of the following depending on your specific situation:
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the symptoms that brought you to us
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what sorts of pain you experiencing
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your medical history
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how you use your body currently on a daily basis
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any older injuries that you may have that could be affecting how you feel now
ASSESSMENT
We will also perform some visual bodyreading to look for patterns that may be contributing to your pain that may include:
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Looking at your body from front, back, and sides for misalignment and compensation patterns
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Evaluating how you sit for ways to improve how desk work affects your body
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Gait analysis to see if there are ways to improve walking and running
In general, with most cases, the intake process will take 5-10 minutes.
THERAPY
Deep tissue and structural bodywork are techniques that we specialize in, as well as being able to provide a diverse set of modalities to meet each individual's needs.
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We try for a tolerable level of discomfort with deep tissue massage therapy. A level that is effective but doesn't cause discomfort to the level where the client's body tightens in response. This differs from client to client, so please let us know if the pressure is too much or too little for your preference. We will adjust accordingly.
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Most of our massage therapy sessions are full body sessions unless requested. In our experience relieving pain issues requires more focus than a full body session gives time for.
* Please note that while we at Deep Tissue Massage Group are committed to providing the highest level of massage therapy available, and we have a high rate of success working with a wide variety of issues, we cannot guarantee results and your results may vary. In some cases, the issues may increase before improving due to unmasking underlying issues. Or, your particular issue may not be related to the musculoskeletal system and may require working with other professionals such as orthopedists, chiropractors, acupuncturists, physical therapists, neurologists, etc in order to see improvement. If our massage therapy is not producing noticeable results within the first few sessions, we will refer you to other professionals in our network.
Deep Tissue Massage Group provides effective alternative treatments for chronic pain, structural neurological disorders, sports injuries, and other common ailments. Not only do we provide a focused approach to each massage, but our massages include relaxation techniques that will provide each client with a feeling of being complete. Deep massage is also a powerful healing modality that realigns one’s field of energy for overall vibrancy, well being, and healing.
Our massage techniques address and relieve pain, suffering, and stress where other treatments have failed. Relieve pain, improve your flexibility, or just take a breather from life’s pressures and stress with Deep Tissue Massage Group.
We focus on athletes, desk-job professionals, chronic or acutely injured individuals, professional families with hectic schedules, and the outdoor active. Those trying to strike a balance between the demands of their careers, personal lives, stress levels, and pain management needs. Our most targeted group of clients are those who strive to be pain free and have a desire to live well.
TECHNIQUE
When there is chronic muscle tension or injury, there are usually adhesions (bands of painful, rigid tissue) in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Adhesions can block circulation and cause pain, limited movement, and inflammation.
Deep tissue massage works by physically breaking down these adhesions to relieve pain and restore normal movement.
(Cathy Wong, ND, About.com)
BENEFITS
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Whiplash injury
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Chronic Lower back pain
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Plantar fasciitis
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Tennis elbow
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Carpal Tunnel Syndrom and other Repetitive strain injury
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Postural problems
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Muscle tension in the hamstrings, glutes, IT band, legs, quadriceps, rhomboids, upper back
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Ostearthritis pain
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Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
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SI Joint Pain and Impingement
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Sciatica
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Piriformis syndrome
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Decrease in Range of Motion
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Fibromyalgia
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Muscle tension or spasm
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After a workout or bodybuilding
(Cathy Wong, ND, About.com)
WHAT TO EXPECT
Massage therapists may use fingertips, elbows, forearms, and hands during the deep tissue massage.
You may be requested to breathe deeply as the massage therapist works on certain tense areas and triggerpoints.
(Cathy Wong, ND, About.com)
PRECAUTIONS
Massage is not recommended for some people:
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Infectious skin disease, rash, or open wounds
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Pregnant women should first check with their doctor if they are considering getting a massage, and should be done by massage therapists who are trained in pregnancy massage.
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Individuals with osteoporosis should consult their doctor before getting a massage
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Immediately following chemotherapy or radiation, unless recommended by your doctor.
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If you are prone to blood clots since there is a risk of blood clots being dislodged, or have heart disease, check with your doctor before having a massage
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Immediately following surgery
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Massage should not be conducted directly over recent fractures, inflamed skin, bruises or wounds, tumors, and abdominal hernias.
DEEP TISSUE THERAPY
Deep tissue massage is a type of massage therapy that focuses on realigning deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue. It is especially helpful for chronic aches and pains and contracted areas such as stiff neck and upper back, low back pain, leg muscle tightness, and sore shoulders.
Some of the same strokes are used as classic massage therapy, but the movement is slower and the pressure is deeper and concentrated on areas of tension and pain in order to reach the sub-layer of muscles and the fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles).
(Cathy Wong, ND, About.com)
COMPREHENSIVE CARE
At some points during a massage, most people find there is usually some intense moments or discomfort.
It is important to communicate to the massage therapist when pain occurs and if it is outside your comfort zone.
There is some times soreness or stiffness after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a couple of days. The massage therapist may suggest applying ice to areas of soreness after the massage.
(Cathy Wong, ND, About.com)
FAQS
According to Consumer Reports magazine, 34,000 people ranked deep tissue massage more effective in relieving osteoarthritis pain than physical therapy, exercise, prescription medications, chiropractic, acupuncture, diet, glucosamine and over-the-counter drugs.
Deep tissue massage also received a top ranking for fibromyalgia pain. People often notice improved range of motion immediately after a deep tissue massage.
BEFORE AND AFTER CARE
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Try not to eat a heavy meal before the massage.
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To reduce muscle aches and stiffness after a massage, drinking water may help to flush out toxins that are released from muscles and rehydrate muscles.
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If it's your first time at the clinic, arrive at least 10 minutes early to complete the necessary forms. Otherwise, arrive 5 minutes early so you can have a few minutes to rest and relax before starting the massage.
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Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting after a massage
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Heating if soreness occurs, as well as an Epsom Salt bath can provide relief