Parhaat syväkudoshieronnat lähistölläni: Springwood, Brisbane

It’s been known for centuries that emotions can be trapped deep inside the body, and a deep tissue massage can be effective at helping release those tensions. Your massage therapist will understand the importance of emotional release as part of their treatments - however it’s important to remember that they may not be trained to assist in emotional therapy.

You should talk to your doctor before having a deep tissue massage if:

• You take blood thinners or have a clotting or bleeding disorder
• You are undergoing treatment for recent surgery or chemotherapy
• You suffer from nerve damage
• You have any skin conditions
• You have wounds that haven’t healed completely
• You have a hernia

When you get a deep tissue massage, your therapist will ask which area of your body you want them to focus on. There is no standard method - the treatment should be tailored to your specific needs, but all therapists will have their own individual styles too.

You’ll be asked to lay on the massage table, either on your front, back or side depending on what area is being massaged. Your therapist might begin lightly at first to warm up your muscles, before moving on to the areas of focus.

This will involve deep pressure being applied slowly with hands, arms and elbows to release your contracted muscles and tissues. The time it takes to complete the treatment can vary, but it will normally be between one and two hours.

Feeling slightly sick or dizzy after a massage, particularly a deep tissue massage that involves intense pressure on your body, is quite common. It’s normally as a result of dehydration - a deep tissue massage releases toxins from your lymphatic system that build up under your skin. The best way to remedy this and flush out those toxins is to stay hydrated, so make sure you drink a little water regularly before your massage and hydrate thoroughly afterwards!

However remember, if you are feeling any severe discomfort, pain or sickness after your treatment, you should talk to a healthcare professional.

After your deep tissue massage, you’ll want to ensure you feel the full benefits and maximise your gains. It can be helpful to:

• Rest: After an intense massage session designed to relax your mind and body, the best thing to do is help yourself stay relaxed. Whether it’s having a nap or just putting your feet up in front of the telly, let yourself feel the effects of your deep tissue massage. Try and wait for at least 24 hours before any intense physical activity
• Eat and drink - but keep it light: While you should ideally avoid eating or drinking too much before the massage, afterwards you should definitely hydrate yourself. It’s also normal to feel peckish after a massage, so a light and nutritious meal can really hit the spot
• Have a bath: Nothing aids the relaxation process quite like a warm bath - and if you’re feeling it, treat yourself to some bubbles or a bath bomb to really indulge yourself. However you should avoid a hot bath or shower as this can aggravate inflammation. If you have an injury, it’s better to take a cold shower or bath for pain relief.

This is entirely up to you. If you’ve experienced a deep tissue massage and felt the benefits, then you might decide it’s worth doing regularly - or even just the once so you could know what it’s like and if it’s something you’d be interested in again.

You might feel they aren’t for you, in which case you might be more interested in other types of massage treatment, including:

• Swedish massage
• Hot stone massage
• Thai massage
• Lymphatic massage
• Shiatsu massage

There are no hard and fast rules on how often you should get a deep tissue massage - it’s more about what feels right for you and what provides the most benefits. This could be daily, a few times a week, every month - whatever makes you feel comfortable.

Remember you can always ask your therapist to recommend a treatment plan, as their expertise means they’ll know how to address the underlying issues you may be suffering from.