Muscle tension is something that we talk a lot about in massage circles.  But how do you know if you have it and is it always a bad thing?

Muscles – how they work

Muscles are designed to tense and relax.  It is how they allow movement of our limbs.  Even vital functions like breathing and our heart beating are all dependant on muscle movement. So, to a certain extent some muscle tension is good.

When a good thing turns bad

Muscle tension becomes a problem when the muscles don’t get to relax or stretch back to their normal position.  This can happen when we overuse certain muscles. They then get out of balance. For example, if you drive to work, sit at a desk for 8 hours typing on a keyboard, then drive home and cook the dinner everything that you have done that day has been using the muscles that move your arms forwards.   Repeat this over many days and you will have a problem.

What happens?

I this example, over time the muscles in the back of your shoulder group will stretch and the muscles in the front of your shoulders and chest will shorten.  This will limit that range of movement that you have with your arms. It will become harder to reach behind your back, turn your head or even move your shoulder blades. 

Here’s what happened to Roger

Roger is a healthy active guy.  He worked as a lecturer at Uni and after work he enjoyed hobbies such as cooking and playing his guitar. He rode a motorbike for his main mode of transport.  So, pretty much all of his activities were using the muscles that move his arms forwards much more than moving them backwards.

Over time Roger noticed his shoulders getting stiffer but he didn’t think much of it. That is until his shoulders seized – more commonly known as frozen shoulder. Roger’s shoulders became painful and ached even when he was doing his usual activity.  By this stage he really couldn’t lift his arms very far about90 degrees to his body and he certainly couldn’t rotate his arm. He was in a lot of pain.

Deep tissue massage and muscle health

This is the point at which Roger found Phoenix.  He came along for a deep tissue massage and explained his issues to the therapist.  The therapist worked on Roger’s upper back, shoulders, neck and arms to release the muscle tension.  The group of muscles in the front of the chest (pectorals) also needed treating to get them to relax back into normal position.  If you only treat one muscle group the related muscles will simply stretch further – it’s all about balance

Stretches and homework

Muscle tension isn’t always a quick fix. Roger needed several massage sessions and we gave him stretches to do at home in between his massages.  After only 3 weeks Roger noticed a really positive change to his pain and range of movement so it didn’t take long to correct the imbalance.

Now Roger comes along once a quarter for a maintenance treatment just to make sure his muscles are still clean, balanced and working to an optimal level

In Roger’s own words

“The massage was excellent, as was the conversation. Phoenix is an excellent service, with brilliant and talented staff. I would recommend it to anyone”

What you should do

If you have any muscle tension, pain or aches you would almost certainly benefit from a deep tissue massage. 

Finding a therapist

Here at Phoenix we have three therapists who are skilled in deep tissue massage.  You can see their bios.  All three are experienced, members of a professional body, police checked and fully insured. 

Take a look at our deep tissue massage page for more information or to book this treatment.

OFFER – for the month of July you can book a deep tissue massage and get 10% off the full price so you only pay £49.50 for a 50 minute treatment! Just book online and use the promo code DEEPTISSUE at the check out. Or call 0113 234 0818 to book quoting the code when you book

Phoenix Health & Wellbeing is a Charitable Social Enterprise. We use the proceeds of your treatment to subsidise those who would not otherwise be able to access our therapies. Roughly £4 to every £10 spent with us will go to help others.

If you would like more information about Phoenix Health and Wellbeing click here . If you would like to know more about our other therapies click here.  For information on our charitable work follow this link or call us on 0113 234 0181

Opening times:

Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 20:00

Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 16:00

Sunday closed.