What Are the Benefits of Barefoot Deep Tissue Massage?

As its name implies, barefoot deep tissue massage is a form of deep therapeutic massage where the therapist uses his or her feet instead of the hands. This type of technique uses several types of massage techniques to heal and relax the body. Among these techniques are acupressure, shiatsu and Swedish massage.

John Harris is a massage therapist who developed this newer form of massage therapy due to his desire to eliminate injuries after regular sessions of therapy by the therapists. The overuse of the hands during massage sessions usually results to the straining and spraining of the hands due to stress. Harris was successful in developing and improving this technique which yields satisfying and effective results right after each session.

This deep tissue therapy was designed for treating chronic muscle pain with the use of direct pressure on the different muscle groups of the body. The method is to give slow yet deep compressions on the various areas that have problems or injuries.

Barefoot deep tissue massage is a type of therapy that involves trigger point therapy as a part of its therapeutic massage treatment. This tender muscle tissue therapy is done by applying pressure in order to relieve body pain and treat dysfunction within the body of the patient. Myofascial release technique as well as the use of compressive strokes is performed by the massage therapist in a barefoot deep tissue massage. Benefits received from this therapy are:

• Overall body relaxation - The body enters the state of relaxation during and after the session. The various application of pressure through the different massage techniques are effective in soothing and calming the body both physically and mentally.

• Improves the immune system - Similar to all types of massage therapy, barefoot deep tissue massage boosts up the immunity of the client when done regularly. It helps in preventing disease as well as in improving the body's capability to recover from sickness.

• Improved Mobility - Produces flexibility on the different muscle groups by breaking down stiff muscles all over the body. The stretching of the muscle tissues result in the enhanced mobility of the various body parts.

• Muscle Pain Relief - The deep tissue therapy along with the soft strokes takes away any painful traumas from injuries and muscle pains. It acts very well in removing acute and chronic muscle pain and is a great type of therapy used for treating sports injury.

• Improve circulation - It greatly enhances the blood and oxygen circulation within the body which results to an improvement in the total health of the client.

All of these benefits can also be received through hand massage therapies, however Harris explained that the difference of his technique is that it is both beneficial to the patient and therapist as well. The comfort level of the therapist during the massage session plays an important role in his or her output as he or she conducts the various strokes. The use of the foot also has the advantage to apply more pressure than when using the hands.