Deep tissue massage is a popular practice in the health and wellness industry. Using sustained pressure and specific techniques, practitioners can relieve a variety of musculoskeletal issues and injuries. Based in the United States, HICI Go offers a comprehensive range of online health and beauty courses for people throughout Florida and other states nationwide. We also offer in-person courses in Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, through our partner institutions.
Whether you’re a massage therapist looking to enhance your professional skill set or someone simply interested in this topic, take our available massage courses on deep tissue massage.
What Is Deep Tissue Massage?
As a familiar item on many spa menus, massage therapy has a reputation for being a very calming experience. It’s a great wellness service for relieving stress, unwinding after a long workweek, and easing tense muscles. However, this practice comes in several variations and the experience depends on the practitioner’s technique and the client’s unique needs.
Deep tissue massage is one of the more specific variants that work deep layers of muscle and connective tissue (fascia). To put the differences between various types of massage into perspective, the goal of Swedish massage is to promote relaxation and ease everyday strains through more superficial bodywork. Deep tissue massage takes this practice one step further – it’s used to treat chronic pain, as well as injuries.
Massage therapists apply a variety of techniques to the body, using their thumbs, knuckles, forearms, or elbows to deliver slow, deliberate strokes with optimal pressure. They also may incorporate tools to complement their methods, treat specific problem areas, and take the pressure off their own hands. Each style is unique to the practitioner and tailored to the client. Common deep tissue massage techniques include:
- Cross-fiber friction
- Active release technique (ART)
- Muscle energy technique (MET)
- Myofascial and positional release
- Trigger point therapy
During an appointment, clients typically lay face up or down on a massage table. They’re mostly unclothed and draped with sheets or blankets. Soft music and aromatherapy are often used to create a soothing atmosphere. The practitioner uses oil or creams to help movement feel more fluid across the skin. And during treatment, they welcome feedback from the client on how the pressure feels in general and in highly sensitive areas.
Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage
Because the focus is on pain relief and recovery through intensive bodywork, clients should expect some discomfort during a deep tissue massage session. The process may not always feel as relaxing as a lighter Swedish massage, but the effects can positively impact overall mobility and quality of life for many people. Clients seek this type of therapeutic massage for many conditions, such as:
- Arthritis
- Lower back pain
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Overuse injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Postural problems
- Sciatica
- Sprains, strains, and sports injuries
Depending on the client’s condition and desired outcome, massage therapy can be used to achieve several goals. This technique is not only used by massage therapists in spas but by many physical therapists in healthcare facilities, as well. Through deep tissue massage, practitioners can achieve the following in their clients or patients:
- Break up scar tissue that forms after an injury, making movement easier
- Alleviate chronic pain
- Ease muscle and tissue tension
- Increase blood flow
- Lower blood pressure and heart rate
- Reduce inflammation
- Relieve stress and anxiety
Deep Tissue Massage and Other Courses at HICI Go
Finding massage continuing education courses and certification courses is easy through HICI Go’s user-friendly platform. We work in partnership with Cortiva Institute and Hollywood Institute to provide numerous opportunities taught by industry professionals, leading experts, and licensed continuing education providers. What’s more, students who enroll in a partner school receive an account for online instruction at HICI Go. Find courses that fit your schedule, including:
- Live in-person courses at our host campuses
- Scheduled live webinars
- Video courses available online anytime
We also offer skincare, hair, barbering, nails, makeup, and business courses that help professionals complement their newfound massage therapy skills with other health and beauty services. Through continuing education, you can build on your current expertise, increase your marketability in the field, and equip yourself to serve clients with in-demand treatments.
However, you don’t have to be a massage therapist to participate in our massage courses. As a casual learner, taking deep tissue massage courses can help you decide if this is an ideal career path. You can also use them to learn something new that can be applied to your personal life.
Take a Deep Tissue Massage Course Today
Learn massage techniques at HICI Go. Our platform hosts a broad catalog of online health and beauty courses available for people in Florida and across the United States. In-person instruction is available through our partner schools in Florida, Connecticut, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas. To learn more about taking deep tissue massage courses and the other courses available at HICI Go, contact us today.