The treatment by connective tissue massage is a form of massage which concentrates on the fascia. This is a type of tissue which forms a sheath that gives structural support to your skeleton and your soft tissues, such as muscles and tendons. Connective tissue massage aims to relax the fascia and restore your body's natural balance.
The idea being that as a result of trauma or injury, your fascia can constrict and shorten even when you try to relax. Connective tissue massage is aimed at restoring the length of your fascia or myofascial tissue so that it regains flexibility. Practitioners don't use oils but instead concentrate on slow, deep reaching movements that have long lasting effects. It's very relaxing and not painful. The idea is that your therapist is working with you and not on you, so it's key that you let them know how your feeling.
What are the benefits?
It reduces chronic tension. This can lead to improved posture and greater physical movement as well as a better sense of emotional well being. The body is worked on as an entire entity and as physical stress is released, there can be a sense of opening up in terms of emotional space as well. This can improve your breathing, your sense of self awareness, and give a feeling of letting go of physical and emotional tension.
It's popular with athletes and dancers as it's useful in healing injuries quicker and preventing possible pulls or strains in the future. Chronic illnesses such as multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue syndrome and arthritis, have also been eased by its use. It's deeply relaxing and you don't need to have a specific problem in order to benefit.
