Why Should You Try a Deep Tissue Massage?

During a deep tissue massage, therapists don’t just use their fingers to apply firm pressure to the body — they rely on their elbows, knuckles and forearms too.

Sounds daunting? While it might sound intense, such a rigorous technique targets deeper muscle tissue (as the name suggests) than those used in other treatments, making a deep tissue massage a fantastic way to treat a range of skeletal or muscular problems.

What are the Benefits of a Deep Tissue Massage?

Our expert therapists offer deep tissue massages that can:

Relieve Stress

More than 70 percent of working Canadian adultsclaim to suffer with stress at times. Prolonged stress poses a real risk to your health, with links to heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, depression and other problems.

We all need to find ways to relieve stress for the good of our physical and mental health. A deep tissue massage can reduce levels of stress hormones in the body and encourage relaxation, leaving you in a better, more positive mood.

Treating yourself to a massage gives you a reason to take much-needed ‘me time’: just clear your mind of those stressful thoughts and focus on how good the therapist’s touch feels.

Increase Flexibility and Mobility

Deep tissue massage targets connective tissues, muscles, ligaments, joints and tendons using firm but precise movements. As a result, you should notice an improvement in your flexibility and mobility — ideal if you lead an active lifestyle but feel stiff after strenuous exercise.

A deep tissue massage may help if you want to practise yoga, improve your posture or achieve more fluid movement when dancing too.

Break Scar Tissue Down

After an injury or surgery, scar tissue forms in the affected area during the healing process. This may limit your flexibility and cause some discomfort over time.

A deep tissue massage causes scar tissue to break down, reducing the amount of tightness or restriction you may feel in specific parts of your body.

Combat Chronic Pain and Aches

Deep tissue massages can help relieve chronic pain and aches, particularly in the lower or upper back, neck and shoulders.

You should speak with your massage therapist in an honest, open way during the treatment: let them know which areas are most uncomfortable, whether they’re applying too much pressure and if their touch is too firm. The more you interact and inform, the more effective your deep tissue massage will be.

Help Overcome Injuries

An injury related to sports or accidents (such as whiplash) can be painful, debilitating and disruptive to your lifestyle. You may be unable to work or perform everyday tasks — and that’s a big problem.

A deep tissue massage can ease the lingering effects of an injury, reducing inflammation and encouraging knots to unfold. Any tightness or discomfort may become less noticeable and inhibiting after your treatment.

As you can see, there are multiple reasons why a deep tissue massage can help you feel better, more agile, more flexible and less stressed. Astra Medi Spa’s therapists have years of combined experience and training, empowering them with the skills to perform the right deep tissue massage for your body.

Want to book yours? Get in touchwith our team now!

What are the Main Causes of Unhealthy Skin?

It’s easy to feel self-conscious if your skin looks unhealthy: your complexion is one of the first things people notice about you, especially if it’s affected by a particularly visible condition like acne, blemishes, rashes or eczema.

We all need to take care of our skin to keep it looking (and feeling) healthy. How can you make this easier for yourself? By understanding the biggest causes of unhealthy skin and taking action to reduce their impact.

Unhealthy Skin Cause #1: Smoking 

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your body. It’s terrible for you inside and out — and it makes a bigger impact on your skin than you may realize. 

Here are just a few of the skin problems smoking can cause:

• Psoriasis:smoking increases your risk of developing psoriasis, with the nicotine itself believed to be the main cause. Psoriasis leads to itchy patches of red, scaly skin, causing severe irritation

• Loss of elasticity:smoking reduces flesh’s elasticity over time, contributing to sagging skin that may make you look older than you actually are

• More wrinkles:if you smoke, you’re likely to develop more wrinkles around the eyes and mouth earlier than non-smokers

Unhealthy Skin Cause #2: Dehydration

If your body lacks the proper hydration over a prolonged period, you may notice your skin starts to lose its usual color, feels dry and even has more fine lines than normal.

Drink plenty of water (at least eight large glasses a day, though you may need more if you lead an active lifestyle) to stay hydrated and give your skin the moisture it demands. Try to get into the habit of drinking water wherever you are — at work, relaxing on the couch, seeing friends etc.

Unhealthy Skin Cause #3: Bad Diet

Most of us indulge in the foods we know aren’t exactly great for us from time to time. The occasional treat is fine as part of a healthy lifestyle — but if you’re devouring junk food every day, you could be damaging your skin’s health.

Your skin is the body’s biggest organ, and like other organs, it needs the proper nutrition to function at its best. A lack of vitamins and minerals will take a noticeable toll on your skin over time.

Aim to eat more of the following foods:

• Broccoli
• Sweet potatoes
• Blueberries
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Brazil nuts
• Pumpkin seeds
• Mango

Unhealthy Skin Cause #4: UV Radiation

Spending too much time in the sun is incredibly bad for your skin. At its most extreme, excessive sun-exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer. At a more superficial level, though, it may leave your skin leathery, prone to dark spots and increased wrinkles.

Make sure you cover up and wear high-SPF sunblock when you know you’re going to be in direct sunlight for long periods. Apply sunblock even on overcast days for maximum protection.

At Astra Medi Spa, our experts offer an extensive range of facialsdesigned to improve your skin and leave it looking healthier than ever. Want to book yourself infor a treatment? Get in touch today!