02/26/2026
“ You can go deeper if you want to.” Have you ever said this? Have you ever heard this? Let’s talk about layers. I always tell my clients. I’d rather knock on the door and you let me in rather than me bang the door down. 🤭
🫶🏻Skin - here’s where we will use gentle, slow strokes. Your skin contains nerve endings that send signals to your brain to activate your parasympathetic nervous system. This begins to lower cortisol levels and allows your body to decompress and begin to relax into your session.
🫶🏻 Superficial Fascia - Here we will begin to improve fluid movement and reduce stagnation. (If you are one of those that at this point is thinking you really want to ask your therapist to go deeper, this is the part where you take some big deep breaths.) 😉
🫶🏻Deep fascia - now we’re getting there, here’s where we’re going to work out myofascial restrictions from stress, injury, or postural imbalances.
🫶🏻 Skeletal Muscles - this is why we are here, right? Did you know there were so many layers to get through before you reach the muscle? Now we’re increasing circulation, breaking up adhesions, and stimulating the Golgi tendon organ, which helps the muscle to relax.
🫶🏻Tendons & Muscle Attachments - Where muscle meets bone. More specific techniques come in to play at this level, these are often tight from overuse, which is why we always go over your occupation or your daily routine during your intake. This helps your therapist know what you’re doing with your body, and if you are not doing an intake with your therapist prior to your session, it’s not likely you’ll achieve the results you desire.
🫶🏻 Nervous System - The👏🏻Most👏🏻 Important👏🏻Layer👏🏻.
“You are safe.”
That safety response is what actually creates deep relaxation. Pet peeve admission, if you are consistently having to tell your client to relax, relax, relax, then check yourself. Check your environment. What is it that is causing their body to hold on? If they don’t feel safe, there’s a reason. Create a space where they’re able to relax instead of commanding them to do so.
