Meaning: To 'release' means to let go or free something from tension or restraint.

Wrong options:

• show: The verb 'show' does not fit the context as it implies displaying rather than alleviating pain.
• break: While 'break' could imply stopping something, it does not specifically convey the action of alleviating tension in this context.
• below: 'Below' is a preposition indicating a lower position, which does not relate to the action of relieving muscle knots.
• of: 'Of' is a preposition that does not convey an action and does not fit the grammatical structure needed here.
• heal: 'Heal' is a verb that implies recovery but does not specifically indicate the action of releasing tension in the context of muscle knots.

Correct answer: of

Explanation: The preposition 'of' is necessary here to indicate the relationship between 'areas' and 'muscle.' It shows possession or association, which is grammatically correct and contextually appropriate in describing the tense areas.

Meaning: 'Of' indicates belonging or association, linking the tense areas to the muscle.

Wrong options:

• show: 'Show' is a verb that does not fit as it does not indicate a relationship between the areas and the muscle.
• break: 'Break' is a verb that does not serve as a preposition and does not fit the grammatical structure needed here.
• below: 'Below' is a preposition indicating a lower position, which does not convey the necessary relationship in this context.
• release: 'Release' is a verb that does not fit as it does not indicate a relationship between the areas and the muscle.
• heal: 'Heal' is a verb that does not fit as it does not indicate a relationship and is not a preposition.

Correct answer: break

Explanation: The verb 'break' fits grammatically as it indicates the action that deep tissue massage aims to achieve. Contextually, it aligns with the idea of interrupting the cycle of contraction and pain.

Meaning: To 'break' means to interrupt or stop a process, in this case, the cycle of muscle contraction.

Wrong options:

• show: 'Show' is a verb that does not convey the intended action of interrupting the cycle of contraction and pain.
• to: 'To' is a preposition that does not indicate an action and does not fit the grammatical structure needed here.
• below: 'Below' is a preposition that does not convey an action and is not relevant in this context.
• release: While 'release' could imply alleviating tension, it does not specifically indicate the action of breaking the cycle of contraction.
• heal: 'Heal' implies recovery but does not specifically indicate the action of breaking the cycle of contraction.

Correct answer: to

Explanation: The preposition 'to' is necessary here to indicate the direction of the pressure being applied. It fits grammatically and contextually as it shows the relationship between the action of applying pressure and the point being targeted.

Meaning: 'To' indicates direction or purpose, linking the action of applying pressure to the specific point.

Wrong options:

• show: 'Show' is a verb that does not fit as it does not indicate direction or purpose in this context.
• break: 'Break' is a verb that does not serve as a preposition and does not fit the grammatical structure needed here.
• below: 'Below' is a preposition indicating a lower position, which does not convey the necessary direction in this context.
• release: 'Release' is a verb that does not fit as it does not indicate direction and is not a preposition.
• heal: 'Heal' is a verb that does not fit as it does not indicate direction and is not a preposition.