Deep touch massage is a type of therapy employing firm pressure to manipulate muscles and connective tissues. It differs from other massage techniques by focusing on deeper muscle layers to address specific issues. While often associated with deep tissue massage, it encompasses a broader range of techniques.
Types of Deep Touch Pressure:
Deep touch pressure (DTP) methods vary but share a common principle: applying firm, sustained pressure to the body. This can be achieved through several means, including:
- Deep Tissue Massage (DTM): This targets deeper muscle layers to relieve chronic pain, improve range of motion, and address conditions like back pain and high blood pressure. It differs from deep touch pressure in that it's more targeted on muscle tissue. [DTM is a particular form of massage therapy used to treat many issues, including high blood pressure, low back pain, and reduced range of motion.]
- Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS): This involves gentle yet firm squeezing, hugging, or holding, primarily affecting the nervous system to promote relaxation. [Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS) is firm but gentle squeezing, hugs, or holding that relaxes the nervous system.]
- Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT): Similar to DPS, DPT uses deep pressure for therapeutic benefits, often focusing on sensory input and calming effects. [One method for managing anxiety, a highly prevalent modern mental health condition, is the calming touch sensations of deep pressure therapy (DPT).] It can also include actions like swaddling, weighted garments, and therapeutic brushing. [Other types of deep pressure therapy include weighted garments, swaddling, holding, stroking, hugging, squeezing, and therapeutic brushing.]
Benefits of Deep Touch Massage:
Depending on the specific technique used, benefits can include:
- Pain relief (muscular and otherwise)
- Improved range of motion
- Stress reduction
- Anxiety reduction
- Improved body awareness
- Enhanced relaxation
Deep Tissue Massage vs. Deep Pressure Massage
While both utilize deep pressure, the key difference lies in their focus: deep tissue massage specifically targets muscle tissue, aiming for therapeutic relief of pain and improved function. Deep pressure massage, on the other hand, can include a broader range of approaches and prioritize sensory input and relaxation responses. [This main difference between the two is that while DTM accesses deeper layers of muscle, deep pressure massage focuses more on broad sensory input.]
