Deep Tissue Massage Berlin

Based in Schöneberg Berlin, Northern Holistic offers deep tissue massage to reduce chronic pain caused by contracted muscles. Deep tissue massage will also help to lower high blood pressure, improve blood circulation and alleviate psychological stress. Deep tissue massage stimulates the flow of oxygen in muscles, which has a detoxifying effect.

Read on to find out more.

The deep tissue massage costs €55 for 30 minutes, €80 for 60 minutes and €105 for 90 minutes. Book your deep tissue massage with Northern Holistic now:

1. What is a deep tissue massage?
2. What are the benefits of a deep tissue massage?
3. Is deep tissue massage suitable for you?
4. How we can help you
5. Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a deep tissue massage?

Contrary to popular belief, deep tissue massage is not painful or stressful. Quite the opposite: it is a safe treatment for releasing chronic muscle tension. The therapist gradually increases the pressure applied whilst seeking feedback from the client. This process of frequent reassurance allows the therapist to focus on areas specific to the client’s needs.

The massage combines long, broad and gliding strokes over the relaxed muscles. This allows the therapist to reach the inner layers of muscle and tendons. The level of relaxation will not be as high as with other types of massage. However, deep tissue massage tends to have a more lasting effect.

The body naturally tends to eliminate higher levels of toxins after treatment. This is because the muscles start to allow a better flow of oxygen. Most patients claim to feel the benefits one or two days after the treatment.

Deep tissue massage therapy is similar to Swedish massage but differs by the deeper pressure that is being applied. This pressure is beneficial for releasing chronic muscle tension. The focus is on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia (the protective layer surrounding muscles, bones and joints).

2. What are the benefits of a deep tissue massage?

Deep tissue massage offers a number of health benefits. It helps to improve the blood flow and reduce chronic pain caused by contracted muscles. Deep tissue massage can even help to reduce psychological stress and trigger the release of ‘happy hormones’ such as serotonin and oxytocin.

Treats chronic back pain
Deep tissue massage increases the flow of blood through the body and thereby helps to reduce the inflammation that causes pain. Deep tissue massage can also help alleviate muscle tension that is often a side effect of chronic pain by breaking up the tight tissue clusters.

Helps lower high blood pressure
Deep tissue massage helps to reduce stress and muscle tension. This can have a beneficial effect on the blood pressure in that it lowers too high blood pressure.

It is common for the systolic and diastolic pressure to drop after a deep tissue massage. The systolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart beats. The diastolic blood pressure measures the pressure in your blood vessels when your heart rests between beats. If a person measures 120/80 mmHg (120 over 80) then 120 would be the systolic and 80 the diastolic pressure.

A study found that deep tissue massage reduced the systolic blood pressure by an average of 10.4mmHg and the diastolic blood pressure by 5.3mmHg.

Reduces stress, anxiety and muscle tension
Deep tissue massage can relieve from stress and its associated symptoms such as tension headaches and tight muscles. It enhances relaxation, mood and well being.

Breaks up scar tissue
Deep tissue massage can help breaking up scar tissue by improving lymphatic circulation and drainage. Particularly if done frequently deep tissue massage can help resolve scarring that occurs deeper in the body. This will improve flexibility and promote a greater range of motion in the affected area.

Reduces arthritis symptoms
Arthritis patients may benefit from a deep tissue massage. They might notice improvements in pain, stiffness, range of motion, handgrip strength and the overall function of the joints. However, please use caution if you suffer from advanced arthritis symptoms, such as damaged or eroded joints. It is best to consult with your doctor before you book in for a massage appointment.

3. Is deep tissue massage suitable for you?

Most people who decide to book a deep tissue massage are looking for relief of chronic conditions. Such conditions can include muscle tension, stiffness or inflammation. They might also look for deep muscle therapy to deal with particular problems. These problems might be caused by bad posture, upper/lower back pain or aches related to injuries and osteoarthritis.

Deep tissue massage may not be safe for people with the following conditions:

• infectious skin diseases
• open wounds
• osteoporosis
• blood clots

Deep tissue massage should be avoided during pregnancy. If you recently underwent surgery, chemotherapy or radiation you are strongly advised to consult with a doctor.

Deep tissue massage is not recommended for people with tumors, hernias, recent fractures or fragile bones. You should avoid deep tissue massage if you have bruises or inflamed skin.

If in doubt about whether or not a deep tissue massage is right for you, please ask your GP for advice

4. How we can help you

Our therapy aims to reduce your levels of pain and restore your balance and natural posture. It is also aimed at stimulating the flow of oxygen in your muscles, which leads to a slow release of toxins from the system.

Massage therapists may use fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows, and forearms during the deep tissue massage. The pressure applied is generally stronger than in a regular massage. The strokes may be slower. You may be asked to take deep breaths as the massage therapist works on certain tense areas.

5. Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of a deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massage aims to relax the muscles. However, due to the more vigorous massage treatment you might encounter some side effects. These side effects are usually mild. Should you experience any pain or discomfort during your session, the therapist can adjust his/her method.

Possible side effects:

Pain
There may be a pain response when the therapist first stimulates the muscle during a deep tissue massage. A response like this indicates that your muscles are not used to being stimulated. This pain is perfectly normal and subsides as the therapist warms and stimulates the tissue.

Soreness
Some people experience muscle soreness after a deep tissue massage. This soreness is similar to the pain you might feel after an intense workout. It should fade over time.

Headache
Headaches are a rare side effect following a deep tissue massage. This is due to the positioning during the treatment rather than the massage itself.

After a deep tissue massage you might also feel nauseous or develop a headache or flu-like symptoms. This is caused by the increased amount of metabolic waste that is being released. Metabolic waste is often referred to as ‘toxins’, but this is misleading. Metabolic waste is naturally occurring in the body and is not toxic.

Massage does not just involve the body. It also has an effect on the mind as it helps to de-stress and relax you. This in turn may make you feel tired.

What to do after a deep tissue massage?
There are a number of things that might enhance the effects or deal with the side effects of a deep tissue massage. Try one or more of the following:

• Drink water
• Eat something
• Do some stretching
• Take a bath
• Take a rest

Is bruising after a deep tissue massage normal?
Bruising after a deep tissue massage is associated with the pressure your therapist uses on the muscle tissue. In deep tissue, the therapist focuses more on the fascia located beneath the muscle. The therapist needs to use enough pressure to loosen up areas that have ‘stuck’ together. These are commonly referred to as ‘knots’. The pressure needed to successfully treat knots can result in the area becoming bruised. However, it is important to note that not all deep tissue massages end in bruising. It is a misconception that deep tissue treatments are, or should be, painful. Deep tissue massage may be slightly uncomfortable at times, but is meant to reduce pain, not create it.

What are the techniques of a deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massages are usually ‘cross-grain’. This means moving against the muscles to relieve aches or pains rather than moving with them. Sometimes this can feel a bit more painful compared to standard ‘relaxation massages’. Deep tissue massages also tend to be slower-paced and longer than many other massages. Ideally, a deep tissue massage should last about 1 hour 15 minutes, which gives bodily tissue enough time to warm up and then relax.

There are areas in the body that particularly benefit from a deep tissue massage. These are areas that tend to either become tense, or they are prone to injuries and need remedial treatment. These areas commonly are the lower back, the legs and the neck and shoulders. Deep tissue massage techniques are usually applied to one or two areas of the body in one session.

Your massage will begin with long, general strokes to warm up the tissue. Throughout the massage the therapist will monitor any verbal and non-verbal feedback, your breathing pattern and muscle tension. This is necessary in order to keep the pressure at an appropriate level.

There are five primary techniques used for deep tissue massage:

Active Motion: In this technique, the client is working with the therapist in order to flex and stretch the muscle being worked as the therapist is applying firm pressure on it. When the client flexes a muscle, the fibers spread and the therapist can wiggle in between the muscle fibers; when the client stretches or relaxes the muscle, it softens to allow the therapist to work in a little deeper. The continuation of this alternating flex and relax/stretch allows for the most effective and painless penetration of the muscle tissue possible.

The Passive Motion technique is similar to the Active Motion technique, except that the therapist is working the muscle with one hand and moving the body part being worked with the other hand. This technique is much more relaxing for the recipient, but is much more demanding on the therapist.

For the technique of Static Pressure, the therapist is using thumbs, fingertips and even elbows to apply firm pressure to individual points on a muscle. In order to encourage the muscle to relax and allow penetration in this technique, it is necessary for the therapist to move very slowly. This technique often causes bruising and slight discomfort.

Muscle Stripping (rapid and slow) is the most painful of the deep tissue techniques. However, they may also be the most effective in extreme cases. In this technique, the therapist is using knuckles or elbows to firmly and rapidly “strip” the muscle while the client is breathing deeply and performing a rapid stretching movement with the body part being treated. It is recommended only in extreme cases, or when a rapid result is desired. In Slow Muscle Stripping, the therapist is using thumbs or elbows with very slow, firm, deep movements. The goal of muscle stripping is to actually reinjure the muscle tissue in order to allow for proper healing to occur.

The deep tissue massage session will finish by applying lighter, general strokes to the areas that have been treated. This has the effect of flushing out metabolic waste that would have been released during the course of the massage. It will also calm the nervous system.

What is the difference between deep tissue massage and other massages?

Deep tissue massage vs. sports massage
A deep tissue massage is perfectly explained by its name. The pressure is adjusted to manipulate the deeper tissue layers in the body. This is a job for a specially trained sports massage therapist. A sport massage is the manipulation of the soft tissue (muscle) in order to prevent or improve sports injuries.

Best for: Post-surgery; chronic stress and associated symptoms like tension headaches, rigid shoulders or tight muscles; chronic pain; sports injuries; high blood pressure

Deep tissue massage vs. thai massage
Thai massage works your entire body. It is one of the most invigorating types of massages, as the therapist rigorously manipulates your body, moving it into yoga-like stretches. The therapist uses every part of his or her body – hands, knees, legs, and feet – to not only stretch you but also apply pressure on your muscles and loosen your joints. You might even get walked on! This type of massage is both energizing and, at times, relaxing.

Best for: Improving energy, increased flexibility, overall health and well-being

Deep tissue massage vs. swedish massage
While Northern Holistic offers both Swedish massage and deep tissue massage it is important to understand the differences and benefits of each type of massage. Swedish massage is the most commonly offered massage technique. It utilises a firm pressure on the muscles and involves a series of long yet gliding strokes.

Best for: Reducing pain, joint stiffness, management of stress, and improvement in mood

Deep tissue massage vs. hot stone massage
Your massage therapist may hold the stones to key points and apply pressure to them. Hot stone massage expands blood vessels, which encourages blood flow throughout the body. Hot stone massage is good for those who have muscle tension but prefer a lighter massage than deep tissue massage.

Best for: Chronic pain, reducing stress and deep relaxation

How long does my deep tissue massage take?
You can book a 30, 60 or 90 mins massage.

Book Deep Tissue Massage Now at Northern Holistic Berlin