Massage doesn’t have to hurt to get results.

If you have had a massage from me, this may seem like a weird sentence. I am a deep tissue massage therapist. I focus on injuries or sports performance massage which is generally deep. But just because a massage is deep, that doesn’t mean it has to hurt.

A deep tissue massage does target the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue but if we cross into the painful territory, we can actually cause more harm than good. We have to find the right pressure for YOUR body. This is different for every single person. One persons version of deep, is someone else’s light. So how do we know when we are on that right line of deep enough for results, but not so deep as to cause more damage?

First, it is important to note that a deep massage must be approached slowly. We have to warm up the muscles with long slow strokes before working into deeper tissues. We cannot just force them into submission through excessive pressure.

If we cross the line into too much pressure it can be counterproductive by:

• Bruising or Damage: Too much pressure can result in bruising or injury to the soft tissues. It can create micro-tears which can cause prolonged soreness and recovery time. While some mild soreness after a deep tissue is common, sharp or lingering pain is a sign that too much pressure was used.
• Tension Response: If a therapist is applying too much pressure, you often will respond by tightening or guarding against it. That tension makes it harder for the therapist to get results and can create a cycle of increased tension. I always like to say we want to walk the line of it being deep but if your body is fighting back, we aren’t doing any good. Please speak up if I don’t catch it.
• Prolonged Recovery: I absolutely expect tenderness after a deep tissue massage. Two to three days max there can be tenderness from the pressure but there shouldn’t be new pain, or range of motion issues. And if after 3 days, the soreness hasn’t gone away then we definitely need to lighten pressure or spend more time warming up the tissue at the next appointment.

As mentioned, each massage is different for each person. And each person has a different tolerance for pressure and a different version of what deep or light pressure is. The key is to always be communicating with me, your therapist. Please don’t try to “grit it out” thinking that no pain, no gain. Often times, we can give the area a break, and work surrounding areas. When we re-visit it, often it has relaxed.

Basically, while I do think that deep tissue is highly effective, it does require communication as well as skill. Taking your elbow and jamming into a muscle without warming it up or just trying to get in as deep as possible, will not render results. My approach is deep, but also very precise. I use my hands much more than most deep tissue practitioners, it is actually rare that I use my elbows at all. I know the anatomy and how to read your body. Your job is just to try and relax and communicate with me. Together, we will get results.