Ultimate Guide To Deep Tissue Massages In London

If you feel you need to know everything there is about deep tissue massages in London, this article is for you. We cover everything from preparing to aftercare routines.

But if you just can't wait and need a treatment straight away, enter your postcode below to find your nearest deep tissue massage therapist in London right now:

If you're keen on understanding how to make the most out of your deep tissue massage session, we have an easy 8 step process for you to follow:

Our Step By Step Guide: Everything You Need To Know About Deep Tissue Massages in London

1. Set up a clean and comfortable space for your deep tissue massage with adjusted heating, dim lights, candles, and calming music.

2. Introduce yourself to your therapist, discuss your massage preferences, areas of focus, and any concerns to enhance your comfort and relaxation.

3. Follow your therapist's instructions, undress and cover yourself with the provided towel, then lie face down on the treatment area.

4. Experience a gentle 5 to 10 minute warm-up at the beginning of your massage to prepare your muscles and promote relaxation.

5. Enjoy various techniques such as knuckle and elbow pressure or Ashiatsu that specifically target and relieve deeper muscle tension.

6. Cool down after the massage with soothing strokes, allowing your body and mind to relax further.

7. Take a few minutes to lie down, reducing the risk of dizziness. Your therapist will offer water and step out briefly.

8. It's normal to have mild aches and pains for a day or two after a deep tissue massage. Stay hydrated and do light stretching to ease any discomfort.

Preparing for Your Deep Tissue Massage  

Clean and tidy your room. It is important to avoid any trip hazards for your therapist and of course, first impressions matter! Try to ensure there is an area of clear space measuring around 2m by 1m. This can be an area of carpeted floor, a standard bed or a massage table. Cover the area with a cloth that you do not mind being covered or stained with treatment oil.

Adjust the heating in your room so that the temperature is around 21˚C. It's important for the room to be sufficiently warm so that you do not feel cold. The final part of the preparation stage is to dim your lights, light some candles and put on some music that makes you feel calm.

For more detailed advice on how to best prepare head over to our in-home massage Preparation Guide!

 Pro Tip: Turn the heat up, place two oscillating fans in opposite corners of the room and close your eyes to feel like you're on a tropical beach! 

Communication with Your Therapist

You should introduce yourself to your therapist when you meet and spend a minute or two to get to know each other. Your therapist will typically explain that they will be performing a deep tissue massage for the duration booked. You should let your therapist know if there are any specific areas you would like them to focus on or if there are any areas to be avoided.

Your therapist will also ask you about any conditions or injuries that could affect your ability to receive a massage, known as contraindications. It is important that you provide this information accurately. A crucial part of the welcome stage is to help you feel more comfortable with your therapist and promote relaxation before the treatment begins.

 Pro Tip: Follow a few simple rules so your therapist likes you more 

Getting Ready for the Massage 

You should then follow your therapist's instructions and get changed for your treatment. If you're receiving a full body deep tissue massage, you will be asked to undress and provided with a towel to cover yourself.

While you are getting changed, your therapist will leave the room momentarily to wash their hands and change into their massage uniform. Make sure you are clear on how far to undress for your deep tissue massage. The key is to undress to a level where you feel completely comfortable and use the towel to cover yourself.

Once you are ready and appropriately disrobed, your therapist will ask you to lie down on the treatment area, usually face down, and ensure that your towel is adjusted to provide appropriate coverage.

 Pro Tip: Oil stains are hard to remove, so if you're keeping undergarments on make sure they're not expensive 

Gentle Warm-Up for Your Muscles 

Deep tissue massages in London topically start with a 5 to 10 minute warm-up. During the warm up stage, your therapist will use softer pressure strokes that are specifically designed to gently introduce your body to the therapy and warm your muscle tissue and skin. This gentler approach is important in helping you mentally relax before more intensive techniques are applied. Don't worry, things will get a bit more intensive shortly!

The actual duration of the warm-up will vary depending on the condition of your muscles, the room temperature, and the overall length of your scheduled treatment. An experienced therapist will be able to assess when your muscle tissue has reached an adequate level of warmth to receive deeper pressure.

 Pro Tip: Stretching in advance of your treatment can accelerate the warm-up phase  

Techniques Used in Deep Tissue Massage

Once the deeper stage of your treatment begins, your therapist will employ various established bodywork techniques to further manipulate your soft tissue. Some of the most popular and common methods used in deep tissue therapy include:

- Applying body pressure through the therapist's palm, which allows for additional force to be exerted into tense muscles through a padded medium.

- Utilising forearm strokes, which provide a deep and powerful sweeping motion across large areas of the body and connective tissue (also known as no-hands massage).

- Applying targeted deep pressure point therapy using the therapist's elbow at specifically tense areas that may be causing pain and discomfort.

- Incorporating deep massage techniques such as barefoot Ashiatsu, which enable the therapist to exert intense pressure using their entire body weight through a small surface area, such as the heel of their foot.

If you're interested in exploring further the most popular ways to perform deep tissue therapy, you can discover the secrets behind techniques like sacrum push, double-finger press, thumb rolls, and more in our comprehensive guide on the 5 best deep tissue techniques.

 Pro Tip: You'll find similar techniques also used in Sports Massage and Thai Massage therapy 

Soothing Cool-Down Stage

After a deep tissue treatment, it's really important to incorporate a proper cool-down to help the body return to a relaxed state and facilitate a speedy recovery from muscle tension issues like strains. During this step, your therapist will employ strokes similar to those used during the warm-up stage. These techniques involve longer strokes with a softer pressure, specifically designed to soothe both your muscles and your mind.

 Pro Tip: Try not to clock watch, it can ruin the moment. Enjoy your treatment to the full while it lasts without worrying about whether it's nearly over 

Final Steps of the Session 

After your treatment is complete, it's equally important that you remain lying down for a few minutes. This allows your body to settle and reduces the risk of experiencing dizzy spells from abruptly getting up after an intensive therapy session. Your therapist may offer you a glass of water during this time and will then leave the room to wash their hands and change back into their regular clothes.

 Pro Tip: Avoid the temptation to jump up immediately, instead spend a minute being mindful 

Post-Massage Care Tips 

It is not unusual to experience some mild aches and pains after a deep tissue massage. Don't worry! These post-massage symptoms typically only last a day or two. It's a good idea to keep yourself well hydrated and to do some light stretching to help speed the full recovery.

 Pro Tip: Drink water or herbal tea rather than caffeine drinks immediately after your massage 

Exploring Key Features of Deep Tissue Therapy Further

The key feature which sets deep tissue massage therapy apart from other treatments is its focus on targeting deeper layers of muscle. If you want a really quick overview, read this quick guide to deep tissue massage. 

The most essential items needed to perform this kind of treatment is a professional massage therapist qualified in deep tissue techniques, a towel and some space. Choosing a therapist who has several years of experience is also sensible as effective deep tissue techniques require both skill and practice. 

Further optional kit include aromatherapy oil or talcum powder (used to reduce friction in massage strokes), candles and music (used to create a calming atmosphere) and a massage table or treatment mat (although treatments can be carried out equally well on a normal bed or floor). 

Deep tissue massages can be focused on a particular body area or cover the full body. The techniques applied in this style of therapy are designed to penetrate soft tissue a little deeper than a typical relaxing massage and are often used to help remedy simple sports injuries such as sprains and strains. 

Other key benefits of therapeutic massage styles such as deep tissue include

• improving the range of motion around stiff joints
  
  
• releasing built up tension in soft tissue
  
  
• speeding up rehabilitation post injury
  
  
• improving and invigorating blood circulation around the body
  
  

The main ambition of deep tissue treatments is to relieve muscular pain and tension in the whole body.  In London, you can book a professional deep tissue therapist to visit you at home from just £59 for one hour of therapy, including travel. 

 Pro Tip: Optimize the health & wellness benefits of massage therapy through regular treatments (weekly if feasible or at least once a month)