Deep Tissue Therapy Pain Relief, Rehabilitation, Stress Reduction, Personal Growth

What is Deep Tissue Therapy?

Deep Tissue Therapy, also is a form of muscle specific deep massage that releases and balances strained and contracted muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia, or connective tissue. It is a powerful integrative manual therapy system that treats the causes of pain and biomechanical dysfunction. It is a method that affects the musculoskeletal system at both a core level and superficial level so that intrinsic and extrinsic muscular function is balanced. The results include postural realignment, freedom from pain, increased range of motion, and improved quality of life.

Pain Relief & Deep Tissue Therapy: Many times patients seek care for muscular pain by going for a "massage." They are often left feeling that the massage was of little help or only lasted for a short time. Deep Tissue Therapy goes beyond the typical application of Swedish Massage for pain relief. Swedish Massage can be helpful for pain but can also just be a "back rub." Deep Tissue Therapy works at a deeper level of muscular and postural function thus releasing tightness and spasm for long lasting relief and postural balancing.

Rehabilitation & Deep Tissue Therapy: Rehabilitation is meant to restore function and reinstate health. Rehabilitation is a goal of therapy after trauma, loss of function or surgery. Regular physical and occupational rehabilitation is often based on stabilizing joint function through weight lifting and exercise. Deep Tissue Therapy assists functionality of the body but also has as a goal to release and correct compressed joints, postural distortion, muscular spasms and adhesions of tissues. This frees the body up in a new way.

Stress Reduction & Deep Tissue Therapy: Every one who has a body experiences some form of stress. Deep Tissue Therapy can help produce long lasting stress relief because it works with tight muscles and nervous tension in a wholistic, mind-body manner. The interface of structure (body) and energy (psyche) is an acknowledged part of the release process in Deep Tissue Therapy. Just the right amount of deep pressure can help the body let go so that a normal nervous system function can be restored.

Personal Growth & Deep Tissue Therapy: Deep Tissue Therapy can help release mental, emotional and physical toxins from the body. This is done in a careful, mindful manner. Respectful touch is educational in nature and helps one get in contact with somato-emotional (body awareness) perceptions.

Is this like Rolfing or massage therapy?

Rolfing is a particular deep tissue therapy technique created by Ida Rolf based on massage therapy, osteopathy, and the theories of psychologist Wilhelm Reich. Massage therapy is an integral part of all Deep Tissue Therapy treatments; it relaxes the superficial layer of muscle tissue. Deep Tissue Therapy has its origins in Lomi Bodywork; Lomi is an offshoot of Rolfing, Gestalt, and Polarity Therapy. Deep Tissue Therapy is considered much gentler than Rolfing.

Is Deep Tissue Therapy Similar to Neuromuscular Therapy?

Both systems share many of the same techniques and goals. Deep Tissue Therapy focuses on structural balancing, releasing muscle contractions and fascia adhesions, and freeing mental and emotional tensions stored in the tissues. Neuromuscular Therapy has its main goals pain relief by increasing circulation and decreasing nerve irritation in soft tissues, and structural correction through balancing muscle function. We use both systems in our office and highly recommend both.

How does Deep Massage relate to spinal adjustments?

Deep Tissue Therapy can be of great benefit to someone receiving spinal adjustments. Often vertebrae which are misaligned can be aligned more easily because the spastic muscle tissues holding the vertebrae are released.

Does working with deep tissues hurt?

Sometimes there is tenderness or pain but most patients report only positive results. If there is any discomfert at all, then it is often described as pain that "hurts good." Muscle tissues that have been posturally under strain for long periods of time usually are tender. Only appropriate pressure is applied during a Deep Tissue Therapy session; it is not necessary to work as deep as possible

Do you accept insurance?

Yes. We will pre-approve coverage and bill insurance for you with a doctor's prescription.

What happens during treatment?

Usually we perform a visual postural analysis by measuring landmarks on the body. We base our treatment on these measurements. They tell us which muscles are tighter on one side of the body or the other or if the fascia is strained in abnormal ways. We begin with massage to relax the superficial muscles and increase circulation. We then use a more penetrating massage coupled with fascial stretching techniques to realign and release the deep muscles and other soft tissue structures. We will often add stretching or movement therapy to the treatment to further aid deep release and balancing of the muscle tissues. Other components of the Integrated Deep Tissue Therapy System are Shiatsu, Polarity, Trigger Point Therapy, and Cross Fiber Massage.

Deep Tissue Therapy helps correct:

• Head, Neck, and Back Pain
• Scoliosis
• Emotional Stress
• Headaches and Jaw Pain
• Whiplash
• Digestive Problems
• Sciatica
• Postural Imbalances
• PMS, Menstrual Problems, and Cramping
• Athletic Injuries
• Numbness and Tingling in Arms and Legs

Deep Tissue Therapy helps to create a sense of freedom, ease of movement, and increased energy in the bodies of people who receive therapy. Deep Tissue Therapy is a profound tool for pain relief and stress reduction.

Laurence Layne, LMT

Laurence is certified in numerous massage and bodywork techniques and is a Florida State licensed massage therapist, Lic. #MA0010746. He also has professional training as an herbalist. He began his study of natural healing in the late 1970s with yoga, vegetarianism, Reflexology, energy healing, and spirituality. He is a 1989 graduate from the Atlanta School of Massage, Atlanta, Georgia, where he received training in Sports Massage, Polarity, Shiatsu, Reflexology, Swedish Massage, Lymphatic Massage and Deep Tissue Therapy. The Atlanat School of Massage is famous for its Integrated Deep Tissue Therapy System.

A professional reference and textbook for this system of therapy is The Balanced Body, A Guide to Deep Tissue and Neuromuscular Therapy by Donal W. Scheumann.