A deep tissue massage is an extensive massage designed to loosen your tight muscles and get the knots in your muscles to give way, resulting in feeling better, looser, and in less pain. You can get a deep tissue massage from a licensed massage therapist who specializes in this type of massage or sports massage.

Signs you need a deep tissue massage will vary, but the sooner you recognize your body is tight and in need of relief, the sooner you can relax those muscles and reduce the stress and tension in your body. Here are signs you need a deep tissue massage.

You aren't sleeping well

If you aren't getting the proper amount of sleep you need, your whole body and mind will feel fatigued. It's best to get a deep tissue massage to help you sleep better if you aren't getting the rest you need due to stress, body tension, pain in your lower back, shoulders, neck, or other common areas, or if you suffer from insomnia. Getting a deep tissue massage can help relieve body and mind and give you the relief you need to get better and more consistent rest.

You are stressed from physical exertion

Have you been working out more frequently? Are you working a job where you do the heavy lifting on the regular? Is your body tightened up because of gardening all day, carrying around children, or everyday physical exertion? Getting a deep tissue massage helps improve circulation in the muscles and can heal better and is a great way to balance out your physical activity with your muscle recovery downtime. When you get a massage, try to wait a day before returning back to regular physical exertion-style activities to really help you get the most out of your deep tissue massage.

You feel knots in your muscles

It's not uncommon to feel knots in your muscles around your hips, shoulders, and other areas of your body. These knots will remain in place even if you stretch and can cause pain and sensitivity in the areas and surrounding tissues. Your massage therapist can gently remove knots using a deep tissue massage. You may have to go to several deep tissue massage therapy sessions to get the relief you need in order to benefit more wholly from the massage therapy.

It's not uncommon to feel some sensitivity in your muscles after you get a deep tissue massage, particularly if your massage therapist had to work hard on some pesky knots. Within a short time, you should feel more limber and better than you did prior to receiving care.