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Deep tissue massage is often thought of as simply a very strong massage, but that's a common misconception. It's less about using excessive pressure and more about using specific techniques to target areas of tension effectively.
A skilled deep tissue treatment involves recognising patterns of tension throughout the body, and applying the appropriate amount of pressure for each area. In many cases, only certain spots require firmer pressure, while others only need some precision work.
The goal isn't to press as hard as possible, but to identify the areas that are causing discomfort or restricting movement and work intelligently to reduce tension.
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Some discomfort can be expected, but it shouldn't be a painful experience.
Pain during massage often results in muscle contraction or even spasm, and holding one's breath, all of which impair deeper work.
There's a common misconception that deep tissue massage should follow a "no pain, no gain" approach, but a certain degree of relaxation is necessary to achieve the best results.
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No. Different people and different situations require different amounts of pressure.
Some people benefit from and can comfortably tolerate more pressure, whereas others may need or tolerate less. In some cases, clients respond well and make good progress with relatively little pressure and, with regular sessions, become more comfortable with more pressure. Conversely, as overall tension decreases over time, some people require less pressure than they did initially.
Some areas of the body are also naturally more sensitive than others—such as the calves or rotator cuff muscles—or simply don't require as much pressure to be treated effectively.
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The frequency of sessions depends on your lifestyle and the nature of the issues that need addressing. Once per month is a good maintenance plan, but at the start, it's common to need a few sessions closer together—such as once a week for a few weeks—to tackle issues that have been accumulating over the years before falling back on a monthly basis.
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Neck, back and shoulder tension
Lower back pain and sciatica
Chronic muscular tension and pain
Muscular fatigue from sports, desk jobs and repetitive movements.
Loss of range of motion or limited mobility due to muscle tension or injury
Tension headaches
Physical maintenance
Recovery from musculoskeletal and sports related injuries
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Please arrive 5–10 minutes early so that we have time to complete a consultation form and discuss your session.
We'll go over your medical history, current symptoms, goals and any areas you'd like me to focus on. This helps me tailor the treatment to your needs and ensure the session is safe and appropriate for you.
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Yes, it's common to feel some soreness immediately after the treatment or the following day, similar to how you might feel after a workout.
This is usually temporary and tends to settle within a day or two. Areas of longstanding tension or adhesions (knots) are often more sensitive and may feel tender after treatment.
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I would strongly advise avoiding anything strenuous for the next 24 hours. Your muscles are likely to be sore and your body is still actively working on recovery.
There may be a higher risk of muscle strain, and your performance may be affected. Many of the benefits of massage continue after the treatment has finished, which is why a lot of people report feeling the greatest benefit 24–48 hours later.
If you'd like to exercise after your treatment, a walk or a gentle stretching session is usually a good option.
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