Shiatsu Massage vs. Deep Tissue Massage

Experienced an injury from the accident? Or stressed a lot due to work pressure at the office? If this is you, we know the answer that can help you to a great extent. It is a massage.
Massage is the process of manipulating the soft tissues of your body manually through rubbing and pressing to help treat various conditions, which also includes stress management. It has gained recognition in recent years and is a technique that is very much in demand. That being said, you might be surprised to know the number of types of massages which confuses individuals.
Here, we will take a sneak peek at shiatsu massage vs deep tissue massage and decode the differences between the two. Let’s get started.

Defining shiatsu massage

Shiatsu massage is the massage where the masseur uses the thumbs, fingers, and palms on various areas of your body to heal common ailments, thereby correcting common imbalances. The pressure applied in the shiatsu massage aids in the energy flow and corrects the disharmony of your body. Besides being deeply relaxing, it makes it seamless to bid adieu to stress and treat pain. So, you can’t overlook its contribution to maintaining your overall well-being.

Techniques used in shiatsu massage

Shiatsu massage goes back to ancient practices in China, where Chinese individuals have developed the concept of working on the energy channels of the body. Later, Japanese people adopted this technique and developed a more hands-on approach towards massage therapy. It is designed to stimulate the body’s pressure points using palms, fingers, elbows, and thumbs to promote relaxation and healing. You can even combine shiatsu massage techniques with other massage techniques, namely deep tissue or Swedish massage, to get the best treatment possible.

Benefits of shiatsu massage

There are a plethora of benefits of Shiatsu massage. It is the answer to particularly those people who are experiencing stress, anxiety, headaches, back pains, and digestive disorders. masseur often uses it in conjunction with other therapies like herbal medicine or acupuncture for effective healing.
It has even proved its effectiveness in terms of dealing with sleep quality. So, if you are someone who has been suffering from the effects of insomnia, let the shiatsu massage help you to make yourself ready for a good night’s sleep.

Deep tissue massage

This massage was developed in ancient times as a healing tool. The origin of deep tissue massage dates back to China in the 2nd century BC. Since then, the technique has evolved and is now widely used as massage therapy in clinics, spas, and sports training centers.

Techniques used in deep tissue massage

Deep tissue massage is a combination of various techniques to dive deep into the layers of muscle tissue. Some of them are trigger point therapy, myofascial release, cross-fiber friction, and muscle stripping. These techniques are developed keeping the specific areas of the body in mind to release knots and tension from the muscles.

Benefits of deep tissue massage

The number one benefit of deep tissue massage is in treating chronic pain in the back, shoulders, and neck. It also alleviates the symptoms as far as depression and anxiety are concerned. Some other benefits include improved circulation and flexibility.

Differences between the two

Let’s decode the differences between shiatsu vs deep tissue massage.

Pressure and intensity

Although both types of massages target specific areas, there are key differences in terms of the amount of pressure and intensity. Shiatsu massage uses rhythmic and gentle pressure to be applied on specific parts of the body to balance the flow of energy.

On the other hand, the pressure applied in the deep tissue massage is deep and firm, which targets the deep muscle layers. It is quite intense as compared to the shiatsu massage.

Target areas

Shiatsu massage targets the energy pathways and the meridians of the body.
While deep tissue massage focuses on specific areas.

Conclusion

Confused about which massage form you should choose? Well, it all depends on your health conditions and personal preferences. Consult the best masseur and tell them your preferences, expectations, and goals before the session starts. It will ensure that you get the best outcome and restore the balance in your life.