I am quite new to massage and would appreciate any advice on how to get really deep pressure (especially on the back). I find it particularly difficult on male clients, but do not want to put too much stress on my thumbs as I know of several therapists who have long term problems because of this. When I did my course there wasn't much emphasis on this aspect of technique. I am tall but am of slight build, but I keep reading on here that that shouldn't make any difference. I am hoping to change jobs soon and maybe working in a spa environment which means I would really like to improve my technique. As a beauty therapist I do not do massage treatments every day.
Any help from all you experts would be great!
RE: Massage pressure
Hi. I do a lot of deep work and also on men and big people.
You learn as you go along really. Get some treatments yourself from some really good therapists, give them a treatment and ask for feedback. The major reason for non-returning clients is in-effective massage and we make all our new therapists give us a treatment before we employ them as we have lost clients for this reason. After you have done lots of people you get a feel for it really.
You need to watch your own posture and although I am guilty of using my thumbs myself you have to find other ways. Using the forearm with the pressure of your other arm is useful and elbows are effective too, but you need to know what you are doing and not hurt the client. You probably need to do some advanced courses to be honest. A hydraulic couch is useful too as you can adjust to suit what you are doing.
You need to go in slow and build up. The pain or discomfor should subside as you work, if not then you don't do it. Always know your own limitations and don't be afraid to refer clients onto somebody with more experience, such as an osteopath. Your clients will thank you for it and trust you.
There are loads of good books which you can read. Get some on remedial massage and sports massage and practice from them. They will set you back £30-40 each but are worth it. A good buy is The Muscle Book by Blakey, which is cheap, very slim but very worth having.
If you need more help then am happy to advise you as I can.
RE: Massage pressure
If your couch is too high you won't be able to get pressure, I use a low couch (the height should be about level with first knuckles as you relax your arm down) and then you can use your bodyweight to get more pressure. I'm also guilty of using thumbs too much sometimes, but I also use one thumb on top of the other to reduce the strain on the joints, or push the heel of my other hand down onto my thumb; also as Candie said use elbows or forearm but not too deep, use knuckles in a loose fist and heels of your hands 🙂
RE: Massage pressure
One important point is to ensure that the superficial muscle layer is really warmed up first, as this layer starts to relax you will be able to go deeper and the lumps and bumps in the muscles start to become more apparent.
Sonia
RE: Massage pressure
Thanks for that advice. I think the point about couch height is very interesting and something I will experiment with. Also swapping treatments with other therapists is a great idea (and I get to have a massage!)
RE: Massage pressure
I would concurr on lowering the height of the couch slightly to get more pressure , using elbows and knuckles . and one hand over the other.
RE: Massage pressure
I know that this is going off the topic but go back and read all the postS above, with out therapy in mind, and it sounds like torture techniques!!:D
Using the forearm with the pressure of your other arm is useful and elbows are effective too
use elbows or forearm, use knuckles in a loose fist and heels of your hands
LOL:D
RE: Massage pressure
Ve have vays of sorting you out 🙂
RE: Massage pressure
Suggest you get you kit off now and try it!:D
I have just had a fantastic day at Burton Manor College in Burton Cheshire with a guy who was head physio at Wimbledon for 15 years. He is ex-army (joined at 15) was a PT instructor, Physiotherapist and a gymnastics judge. Honeybee came too and we had such a great day and learned so much.
What that man doesn't know about posture and the human body was unbelievable. He passed on so much information, such as why teachers get jaw problems, because of the way they talk (through the back of their necks) all day. This explains a lot as I do a lot of teachers with the most unbelievable neck tension and headaches.
He covered neck, uppper back and low back and also the jaw. He looked ten years younger than his 64 years, had a wicked sparkle in his eye and the best butt I have seen in men thirty years younger than him.
He was a bit disorganised and there were no course notes, but it was worth it as it was all hands on. I had the chance to practice loads of new techniques, most of which I have had myself in osteopathy but not had the confidence to use before, but I shall be using them this week.
It was fantastic value at £42 including lunch for a day. Well worth it.:D
RE: Massage pressure
Hi Candie sounds a great way to spend a sunday and £42.Does he ever come south? steve;)
RE: Massage pressure
Hi Steve, he is very difficult to pin down. He is learning to play the guitar now which takes priority! We asked him to do another but he said it wasn't really viable. He lives about a three hour drive from here - can't remember where, but not your way.
He can't have made much from it at all to be honest, but from what he said, money isn't his motivating force.:D
RE: Massage pressure
Hi Candie
Would it be possible for you to pass on the guy's contact details? I am going to start teaching from this week so I would be interested in what he has to say.
Also I have lost both my Swedish massage and Aromatherapy routines and I am going to start teaching both of these courses. I can't seem to find them anywhere although I have all the rest of the notes. Is there anyone that would be prepared to lend me theirs. I don't want to start writing routines from scratch but would like to adapt any routines that others have.
Thanks a million
RE: Massage pressure
That sounds really interesting, Candie. As a matter of fact, your posts make me want to visit Cheshire. It seems lovely, or maybe it's you guys out there 🙂
BTW, I almost never use my thumbs in massage. My nails' white bits start at the very top of my fingers, especially the thumbs, and cutting them short enough is painful for me; so I use other ways.
RE: Massage pressure
Sorry I don't have his details, and as I say, he only does the odd course so you wouldn't be able to get him and he doesn't live anywhere near London.
Sorry that you have lost your routines etc, but I am sure it won't take you long to put them together again quickly in time for your teaching to start. I shouldn't imagine that as a teacher you would want to take on somebody's else's routines? Would have thought that this was something that would be quite personal to the teacher concerned and that you would want to do it your own way.[&:]
RE: Massage pressure
Rethinking & writing your notes & routines again is an excellent way of re-assessing what it is we do & why we do it.
If you've got the time of course. Leon Chaitow has done some excellent books on soft tissue work - so maybe check Amazon or eBay - may give you a kick start.
Andrew.