DIGGIN’ DEEP
BELIEVE IT OR NOT ‘SPORTS’ MASSAGES AREN’T JUST FOR THOSE MOTIVATED PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY DO REGULAR SPORT. GOING A LITTLE HARDER WHEN YOU GET A MASSAGE ACTUALLY HAS A TONNE OF BENEFITS.
To most of us, a massage is a luxury afforded only by a birthday voucher or a south-east Asian holiday. Finding the time to do nothing but lie down and zen-out for an hour, on a regular basis, seems as possible as landing on the moon or having your kids unpack their lunchboxes without being asked. But if you live an active lifestyle or have recurring injuries or pain, getting a sport or deep-tissue massage once every few weeks actually becomes a necessity.
“Sport and deep-tissue massages really are beneficial for everyone,” says Deia. “They aim to affect all muscle layers, ligaments, tendons and connective tissue, to break up old structural patterns and to allow the free flow of nutrients and oxygen to the soft tissues.” But how are they different from, say, a remedial massage? It’s all in the pressure – short-term pain for long-term gain!
When we exercise or even just go about our day-to- day routine, we can cause waste build-up in certain overused muscles. By really working into the muscle and separating the fibres to reduce the waste product, a deep-tissue massage can treat conditions like localised soreness, tightness, pain and new or old muscular injuries. Your masseuse will use trigger point pressure and stretching to work right into the affected muscle, increasing blood flow and mobility.
For an even greater result, Deia suggests incorporating treatment therapies such as Chinese cupping, remedial massage, myofascial release (MFR) and dry needling.
“Sports and deep tissue treatments are known to be a bit uncomfortable, but we do realise that not everyone is training to be an elite athlete,” says Deia. “The pressure and techniques used will vary to insure your individual comfort and will leave you feeling fantastic and totally ready to take on the world!”