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Deep Pressure
What's the best way to improve the depth of pressure in one's work? Is it time and experience or are there exercises we can do to help go deeper?
I have been trained in techniques of deep tissue and think my pressure is moderately deep. I have cyclists that LOVE my pressure and more recently have a couple of clients requesting I go deeper. I'm not sure if I should refer these clients out or try and improve my pressure.
thoughts? I have used forearms, elbows, knuckles and fits with my deep tissue techniques and feel like I'm going deep. so do i just except this is the pressure I can manage and refer out?
for that matter is deep pressure subjective or is there a standard for it?
thoughts?
I have been trained in techniques of deep tissue and think my pressure is moderately deep. I have cyclists that LOVE my pressure and more recently have a couple of clients requesting I go deeper. I'm not sure if I should refer these clients out or try and improve my pressure.
thoughts? I have used forearms, elbows, knuckles and fits with my deep tissue techniques and feel like I'm going deep. so do i just except this is the pressure I can manage and refer out?
for that matter is deep pressure subjective or is there a standard for it?
thoughts?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rajam K Roose on -
Right on Rick!
In my work, I've found that it has been my experience with learning how to communicate with different bodies that have enabled me to determine how to sink into the depths.
Besides what was already mentioned, don't forget there are those clients who are so removed from their bodies that they don't feel anything....when those types of clients ask for more pressure, I say okay, but don't go any deeper than their bodies will allow. If they still complain, by all means, refer them out. Another thought is that you aren't able to get at the cause or root problem of their pain, refer those out as well. When you can see where the issue is coming from, if it's within our scope, then you'll find you don't need much pressure at all in those areas to achieve results.
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Permalink Reply by Choice Kinchen on -
Lisa, I agree, inpart with everyone here. With experience you can learn how to go deeper (ala Rick...which really works). You might lower your table a bit if you think that would allow you to go a little deeper. I've had fibro clients who I feel like I'm already touching the table thru their bodies...point is, they're so removed from their bodies that they don't feel anything. There are also those people who think they have to feel tremendous pain in order to get anything out of the massage...they need to be educated. And, then, there are those people who you're just not a good fit for them. Refer them out and move on to the next one. With experience, you will learn to know the difference. Good luck. Remember, it's not worth trashing yourself in order for a client to feel good.
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Permalink Reply by Terry (Ty) Capuano on -
Lisa - one of the age old questions - do you want a Deep Tissue massage or do you want Heavy Pressure? I have this discussion quite a bit with my clients. It is a wonderful educational opportunity to have this chat. I can't force my way to the deep tissue - I have to ease into it - "not drive a truck thru it". If they only want heavy pressure - I lower my table a bit, focus in my core/legs and drop my knees while using my forearms and elbows to sink in.. An achy/ bruised client the next day is not my aim - so there are limits as to how deep I will work. I am a student/practitioner of Ortho-Bionomy - the way of ease/ less is more. I educate clients that heavy pressure is not needed to eliminate trigger points or for pain relief - this has been eye-opening for those who think only heavy pressure works. The client who is so out of touch with their body they can't feel the deepest of pressure - I instruct them in breath work and have them bring their awareness to where I am working. I may not be the right therapist for every client - but they may not be the right client for me.
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Permalink Reply by Choice Kinchen on
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Good point Terry. Joe Muscolino has some good stuff on the new way of treating trigger points. He subscribes to the belief that scooping trigger points (3-5 sec...hope I'm right here, I would have to check) with moderate pressure is better than holding a trigger point with deep pressure for the 30 sec or so a lot of therapists believe in. Also, like Terry said...most clients think they want deep tissue when what they really want is deep pressure. Deep tissue is too hard on me, but deeper pressure I can do. If a client wants more, I just tel 'em t. that I don't want to hurt them or me.
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Permalink Reply by Emma Torsey on
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Hi Lisa,
The way I feel about it is you need to do what you can do without hurting yourself.By this I mean let them go else where for deeper then you are comfortable.You will see in time that you will form your own style and your repeat clients will be going to you for your style.
I have had people ask me for deeper when I was going as deep as I could,I find myself just wiped out after dealing with them,all sweaty and tired and if I had to do that all day long I wouldn't be doing massage for very long.I am happy to refer them to one of my friends who is a huge,strong man who can better handle them then me,no problem,he has sent clients to me too,who didn't feel comfortable with his style. and too, some people really dig getting hurt,I don't know about you but I am not in to helping that kinda client out!
Anyway,I don't want to start going on and on for it is late at night and I can't sleep because of my R.D.S.-(restless dog syndrome)-so on that note I will end now...
Peace,Emma
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Permalink Reply by Rick Morgan on -
Hi Lisa,
Gain 25-50 lbs. Worked for me: Just kidding (sort of). I agree with basically everything said. When I taught Deep Tissue techniques and body mechanics as part of student's basic massage training I stressed these points:
1: When checking in with clients about pressure, never ask if they it's "deep enough", always ask if it is too deep. The therapist determines how deep they are willing to go-not the client. The client can determine if it is too much. If you allow the client to dictate how much pressure you have to deliver- you will get hurt.
2. We all have limits, don't exceed yours. Learning massage is like training for an endurance sport. In the beginning, you will not be as strong or skilled. As long as you don't hurt yourself in the beginning, it gets easier to do deeper work with time.
3. Deep tissue doesn't mean heavy pressure. Learn how to get to deep tissues without crushing superficial ones.
4. Clients that like painful deep tissue need another type of therapy- and aren't good long term clients because they will always want you to work to your limits or beyond. Fire them.
5. What ever pressure becomes right for you, clients that like that level will stick with you and ultimately, that's what you want.
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Permalink Reply by Lauren on -
I have a question regaurding time issues. I have a major problem of going over on time w/ my clients. I have been working on this & getting better. How do you take the time to sink in to the deeper levels of muscle & not go over on time? Much of my clientelle wants deep tissue, so the answer can really help me out. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on -
Lisa,
Lots of great input here for sure.
Deep pressure or specific work?? If one understands how to access the tissue on different angles between the fibers, it is perceived as very deep but does not require deep pressure from the therapist. I have found this to be extremely effective!!
As for the "junkies", you can never please them. As someone said below, they are out of touch with their body.
In my opinion massage therapists need to take care of their own hands/fingers/bodies first. If you strain yourself because you can't do what they ask you will have a short lived career.
Find someone you can refer them too.
Work with the breath if they are willing. Relax their body first and the tissue softens. If the body truly wants the deep work, it will open and receive.
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Permalink Reply by Marissa Macias on -
Lis- A lot of good info on here! I'm with the "do-what-you-do-and-if-they-don't-like-it-they-can-leave" crowd. I know at this point in your career you are "hungry" for clients and are doing everything within your means to build a strong client list. HOWEVER, how long do you want to be treating clients? Personally, I want to do this until retirement age and then some. So, I only do 4, maybe 5, massages per day with a treatment style I am physically comfortable with. Yes, every treatment is different, because every body is different. Some are "deeper" than others and that's fine, but you have to be comfortable. Especially, with your back, you can not do more than you are able. Find someone in the area to refer out to. I've done it myself! I had a large Bear of a man early in my career that couldn't get enough deep pressure/deep tissue. I would be in a full lunge, with my table as low as possible, elbows sunk in to my shoulders and it wasn't enough. After his session, I would be wiped for the day. I fired him. He kept trying to come back and I refused to have him on my schedule. If it is more than you are physically able to do, explain to the client that it is in their best interest to go see so-n-so for that style of treatment. You don't have to say, "sorry, Bub, that will crank my back and put me out for a week if I do that". And they will appreciate the fact that you are putting their best interest first in order to achieve their goals. I've even had some that still want to see me and ask what other methods I could try on them instead. Sneak in some MFR, ROM and traction stretches to subtly (on your body and theirs) release some deeper tissues. Client well fare first and foremost really goes a long way.
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Permalink Reply by Gloria Coppola on
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Have your client schedule a 90 min. session.
It usually takes 20-30 minutes for someone to "relax" and for tissue to soften, especially when their body is over stressed.
Going over time and not being paid is a boundary issue on both parts. Respect your time and let your clients respect you too!
Realize you can't accomplish everything in one session either. What are your clients doing to help themselves in between sessions? How often are they seeing you?
If someone wants to re-educate the tissue they must see you at minimum once a week! Preferably more.
Connective tissue will go back to its original place of dysfunction if clients are not seeing you regularly.
I hear therapists newer into the profession often trying to achieve everything for their clients. This may not be possible. Always honor yourself first.
Over the years, I have found less is more! I can accomplish deeper work with clients needing that ,by relaxing their body first. Then I don't have to work so hard and long. It really works!
There will always be those that don't want or appreciate that method. Just let them go and attract the clientele you want to work with
Lauren said:I have a question regaurding time issues. I have a major problem of going over on time w/ my clients. I have been working on this & getting better. How do you take the time to sink in to the deeper levels of muscle & not go over on time? Much of my clientelle wants deep tissue, so the answer can really help me out. Thanks!
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Permalink Reply by Julie Onofrio on -
There are so many different opinions on what is best - you have to figure out what works best for you. You can learn deep tissue techniques that allow your body to work better and apply more pressure without using your strength.
Most of my training is in Zentherapy which is basically old style Rolfing where the motto was no pain, no gain. I did learn to use my breath and body (elbow mainly) to just sink into a persons body using my body weight but also not leaning on them (being responsible for my weight).
I also personally like very deep tissue and most regular deep tissue classes don't even touch what I need but that is my preference. Finding someone who does know how to do it has been a really big challenge. So as far as learning to accommodate your clients, I think it could be a good communication and learning experience to figure out what people want and why and learn to give what you can within your own limits and boundaries but having a happy client too.
Julie
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Permalink Reply by Emma F. Clites on
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i go over all the time- I schedule extra time between clients in order to compensate, and I keep a timepiece close by so I know how far over I am. I never schedule 30 minute massages anymore - and most of my appts are 90 min.
Lauren said:I have a question regaurding time issues. I have a major problem of going over on time w/ my clients. I have been working on this & getting better. How do you take the time to sink in to the deeper levels of muscle & not go over on time? Much of my clientelle wants deep tissue, so the answer can really help me out. Thanks!
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