From promoting circulation to relaxing our system’s stress response, deep tissue massage can support the body’s health as well the mind. Its potential benefits include the following.
Pain Relief
Studies indicate that deep tissue massage can effectively relieve chronic neck[1] and lower back[2] pain, and pain following a C-section[3]. Individuals with myofascial pain syndrome, a condition resulting in pain in the muscles and fascia, may also benefit from deep tissue work[4].
Joint pain often stems from an imbalance in the muscles’ length-tension relationship, which is the relationship between the length of the muscle fiber and the force it can generate, says Jansen. “The analogy I like to use is each joint is the center of a bicycle wheel, and all the muscles around that joint are the spokes on the wheel,” she says. “If there is any imbalance in the muscles around the joint, or the spokes on the wheel, the bike is not going to move very well, and may even get into an accident.” By releasing tension in one part of the body, deep tissue massage can alleviate discomfort in another, offering relief for individuals with conditions like arthritis, adds Jansen.
Improved Range of Motion
Deep tissue massage can improve range of motion for many people. A 2023 study involving 41 participants aged 20 to 34 massage demonstrated that even a single session of deep tissue massage notably improved the range of motion in the cervical spine for up to two weeks after the intervention[5].
Current research also suggests deep-tissue massage may have respiratory benefits in healthy adults. One small 2023 study found that when deep tissue massage was performed in the chest area, it increased chest expansion and lung capacity[6].
Relief for Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression
Certain types of touch and massage have the potential to help relax the body’s stress response, according to Jansen. A review assessing the role of massage therapy in the treatment of several psychiatric disorders found that massage may be beneficial for individuals with depression, anxiety and insomnia, especially as a complementary therapy to other treatments[7].
Improved Body Awareness
Abookire emphasizes that deep tissue massage can help bring awareness to unrecognized or ignored tightness or discomfort in the body. This awareness increases a patient’s understanding of where in their body they hold tension. This is not only necessary for taking the mental and physical steps toward healing, but also for improving mind-body communication regarding the body’s current level of well-being. “You can consciously make efforts to either see physical therapists, go to the gym, practice yoga or receive further treatment,” he adds.
