
03/30/2022
Deep tissue does not equal deep pressure.
And not all therapists do deep tissue treatment.
Tissues layer, from superficial to deep. The intention with deep tissue treatment is to get to the.... deeper tissues! The more superficial a muscle is, the less pressure required to access it.
So let's have a conversation about pressure.
"Go as hard as you can!", "take your anger out on me", "I have a high pain tolerance so I can take as much as you can give"....
These are things I hear on a regular basis. But they negate our abilities as professionals to be able to determine the appropriate pressure based on the tissues necessary to treat.
Let's take trapezius for example, everyone's favorite muscle. It is superficial, with that knowledge, I do not need to dig too far in order to access it.
Massage therapy can no more lengthen your muscles, squash knots, or breakup tissue, anymore than it can strengthen you or make you more functional. It is passive.
What it does do, is calm your sympathetic nervous system (your fight or flight). Temporarily reducing pain and opening up range of motion.
If I needlessly dig into tissue with too much pressure, I run the risk of agitating your nervous system, creating more tension in the process.
With appropriate pressure, we can relax tissue that is over stimulated, without needing to bite down on a piece of wood.
Yes, pressure can feel good. "The good pain". Anyone can rip into tissue, a good therapist finds the effective middle ground between not enough and too much.
I draw the line when you can't breathe! You tensing up and holding your breath to get through it helps no one.
So the next time you go for a massage, and ask for deep tissue, or more pressure. Consider what is necessary vs what feels good, also ask if they even do deep tissue before assuming. We are trained therapists, we are constantly assessing and working towards the best course of outcome for you. Which isn't being sore for a week after your treatment.
Trust your RMT and have a conversation about pressure with them, before thinking you need as much as possible.
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