The art of Deep Tissue Massaging
- beaugesteskincare
- Jun 12
- 3 min read

A Deep tissue massage, is like a painting that starts with the canvas and ends with the details of highlighting and shading to create a picturesque work of art. As a trained sports massage therapist, I have heard quite a few interesting opinions around what Deep Tissue massage entails, but the key thing to me is knowing that it is a recovery tool for all individuals and will benefit overall performance. Let’s take a deep dive into the theory behind this technique.
According to Santos-Longhurst in a Healthline article, this treatment is used to focus on manipulation of the musculoskeletal system, especially for those struggling with injuries or muscle strains due to sports. The pressure that is applied to the muscles should be slow and sustainable. These deep strokes treat the connective tissues and muscles at their inner layers. This technique will aid in reducing the buildup of scar tissue formation in sports injuries and help with relaxation of the muscles for ultimately aiding in a faster healing rate through the increase of blood flow. (Santos-Longhurst, 2023)
A Deep tissue/ Sports massage is not just the increase of pressure being applied to your muscles but works deeper into the nooks and crannies of your musculoskeletal system. You must remember, every treatment will start with warming up the tissue worked with, this will be done in a more superficial to medium pressure that will prepare the body for what is to come. An artist cannot just start with a new creation, before planning and laying out the background of the canvas. This is how a massage therapist uses the time of warming up the muscles through a technique called effleurage (smooth movements) and petrissage (wringing of the muscles).
When it comes to the deeper work, the pressure being applied will be at 45-degree angle, not a 90-degree angle. We never want to cause bruises due to capillaries being injured throughout the massage when the pressure is causing blood capillaries to be compressed directly against the bone due to muscle manipulation. The trigger point technique is like a massage therapist’s detailing of a portrait; this is where the real change happens in the body!
The small strokes of an artist’s paintbrush to create an illusion of realism, are like a massage therapist using trigger point techniques during a deep tissue massage. The use of trigger points will relieve tension in an area of the body where stress tends to build up and cause pain/ stiffness. This technique of applying a deep pressure and then releasing, enhances oxygen and nutrient supply through an increase of blood circulation to the area. It is used to help reduce persistent discomfort/ pain in a muscle, increase mobility and range of movement (Blys,2025).
In the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies in 2022, a study found that 75% of clients with ongoing muscle discomfort said that trigger point techniques helped them reduce the pain they had to live with persistently (Jerrilyn, 2022).
I always explain it as holding your breath under water, it creates a deficit of oxygen in the body so that when you come up for air, your body is flooded with oxygen and gets rid of carbon dioxide quick. Trigger points just trigger the body’s response to the area in need of more blood circulation and detoxification of lactic acid that is built up in an area that has been overused, injured or stressed.
As the artist takes a step back and adds a few finishing touches, the use of tapotement (cupping techniques for muscle release) and effleurage movements will simulate the ending of the treatment of a certain muscle group during a Sports massage treatment for a massage therapist.
The question on everyone’s lips: Should I book a Deep Tissue Massage?
Yes, yes you should, unless you have undergone an operation recently (usually in the past 6 months), are pregnant or have cancer that has spread to the bones, or your health professional has advised you not to go ahead with your booking. If not? I will be waiting for your call to get you to your optimal health as soon as possible.
See you soon!
Cilmie
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