Modalities Deep Tissue is a technique that focuses on the deeper layers of muscle tissue. It aims to release the chronic patterns of tension in the body through slow strokes and deep finger pressure on the contracted areas, either following or going across the fiber's of the muscles, tendons and fascia.
Deep tissue is used to release chronic muscle tension through slower strokes and more direct deep pressure or friction applied across the grain of the muscles not with the grain. Deep tissue helps to break up and eliminate scar tissue. Deep tissue usually focuses on more specific areas and may cause some soreness during or right after the session. However, if the work is done correctly you should feel better than ever within a day or two.
Myofascial Release
Myofascial Release is a form of soft tissue therapy intended for pain relief, increasing range of motion and balancing the body. Techniques include manual massage for stretching the fascia and releasing bonds between fascia, integument, muscles, and bones are applied. The fascia is manipulated, directly or indirectly, supposedly to allow the connective tissue fibers to reorganize themselves in a more flexible, functional fashion.
The fascia is a seamless web of connective tissue that covers and connects the muscles, organs, and skeletal structures, located between the skin and the underlying structure of muscle and bone. Muscle and fascia form the myofascia system.
The fascial system is totally one structure that is present from your head to foot without any interruption.
Injuries, stress, inflammation, trauma, and poor posture can cause restriction to fascia. Since fascia is an interconnected web, the restriction or tightness to fascia at a place, with time can spread to other places in the body like a pull in a sweater. The goal of myofascial release is to release fascia restriction and restore its tissue health.
Thai Body Work
Thai massage differs radically from ‘Swedish Massage’ (often called ‘Classical Massage’) which is the most widespread technique of massage in the West. That kind of massage is very much restricted to working with the muscles and soft tissue. There is no doubt but that such relaxing massage plays an important role in a world dominated by haste and stress but in Thai massage the aspect of muscular relaxation is only a secondary goal. Contrary to Swedish massage, traditional Thai massage does not primarily work with the physical body but rather with the energy body of man. The kneading of muscles which dominates in Swedish massage is absent in Thai Massage, energy points are pressed or general pressure is used instead. There is a lot of stretching involved and many exercises might be described as ‘applied Hatha Yoga’ or applied physical Yoga’. The tradition is more or less lost in India nowadays, as Ayurvdedic massage and Indian Yoga massage have evolved in different directions. But the Yoga background of Thai Massage is obvious from all the beautiful postures used.
Physiotherapy and Chiropractic in the West are closer to Thai Massage than Swedish massage is, but these techniques also ignore manipulating the energy points and the energy flow of the body, their theoretical foundations are based on the anatomical structure of the body. A search for massage theories and techniques in the West which are more closely parallel to Thai Massage brings to mind reflexology, where a workout on energy points is done well.
Pressue Point Therapy
The art of pressure point therapy uses ancient acupressure trigger points to release tension and increase the circulation of blood, heightening the body's vital life energy to aid healing. Acupuncture and acupressure use the same points, but acupuncture employs needles, while acupressure uses gentle but firm finger pressure. Acupressure relieves pain, trauma, burnout, and maintains good health through self-care. By relaxing the body and relieving stress, acupressure strengthens resistance to disease and promotes wellness.
Tension tends to concentrate around pressure points. When a muscle is chronically tense or in spasm, the muscle fibers contract due to the secretion of lactic acid caused by fatigue, trauma, stress, chemical imbalances, or poor circulation. As a pressure point is held, the muscle tension yields to the finger pressure, enabling the fibers to elongate and relax, blood to flow freely, and toxins to be released and eliminated. Increased circulation also brings more oxygen and other nutrients to affected areas. This increases the body's resistance to illness and promotes a longer, healthier, more vital life. When the blood and bioelectrical energy circulate properly, there is a greater sense of harmony, health, and well-being.
Use prolonged finger pressure directly on the point; gradual, steady, penetrating pressure for approximately three minutes is ideal. Each point will feel somewhat different when you press it; some points feel tense, while others are often sore or ache when pressed. How much pressure to apply to any point depends on how fit you are and your body’s condition.
A general guideline to follow is that the pressure should be firm enough so that it "hurts good" - in other words, something in between pleasant, firm pressure and pain. The more developed the muscles are, the more pressure you should apply. If you feel extreme or increasing sensitivity or pain, gradually decrease the pressure until you find a balance between pain and pleasure. Note that sometimes when you hold a point, you'll feel pain in another part of your body. This phenomenon is called referred pain and indicates that those areas are related. You should press points in these related areas as well to release energy blockages that create pressure, numbness, or pain.
