The Muscle Clinic

Deep tissue massage is designed to relieve tension deep in the muscles and associated connective tissue. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for individuals who experience consistent pain, are involved in heavy physical activity, athletes and patients who have chronic or recurrent injury.

Deep tissue massage uses similar strokes to Relaxation massage, but at a much slower tempo and with more force applied. The deeper pressure is more effective for releasing tension in the denser deeper muscle layers of the body.

Deep tissue massage is not usually offered in complete isolation to other techniques. I will usually begin by warming the area to be massaged up with some relaxation techniques applying deep tissue massage techniques as we progress.

It’s really important for you to communicate with your therapist through the deeper work during Deep Tissue Massage. I will work to the level of pressure I feel the muscle needs, however I cannot feel your pain. While deep tissue massage may involve some level of discomfort, most clients refer to this as “relieving pain” or “good pain”. At no time should the pain be excruciating or unbearable.

It is not uncommon following a Deep Tissue Massage to have some muscle ache for a day or two. The muscles have been put through a heavy series of repeated stretches and mobilisation to restore normality to the muscle tissue.

Deep Tissue Massage is great if you suffer from:

• Muscle tension


• Postural problems that lead to chronically shortened muscles


• Scar tissue & adhesions


• Head aches caused by neck tension


• Lower Back pain caused primarily by muscle tension


• Myofascial pain syndrome (trigger point syndrome)


• Fibromyalgia*

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage include:

• Break up scar tissue & adhesions.


• Release tension in deeper muscle layers.


• Decrease ishemia & Increase circulation to deeper muscle layers.