How To Perform A Deep Tissue Massage

A deep tissue massage can be a more intense type of massage since it is designed to target old injuries and sore muscles. Learn how to give a deep tissue massage in one of the best, longest running massage schools in Houston. Please call 713-681-5275 to discover how you can achieve positive change in your life by embarking on a rewarding and fulfilling career as a massage therapist.

The deep tissue massage modality can also benefit your client by relaxing areas that carry a lot of tension and increasing range of motion of their joints.

Key to this type of massage is to first properly warm up the muscles in order to make the deep tissue massage more effective. Using a slower pace and strokes such as skin rolling, friction, and kneading, the superficial muscles and connective tissue can soften to allow you to work the underlying muscles.

Learn how to give a deep tissue massage

When working a sensitive area it is important to slow your pace in order to not cause pain. Make sure to specifically target the ailing muscle or muscle group. This process will usually work best when you passively shorten the muscles by moving the body in a specific way. In the case of a client that has very tense calf muscles, you can point his or her toes. This in turn passively shortens the calf muscles and allows you to massage them in a way that can be more comfortable for the client.

After the muscle has been sufficiently worked in a passively shortened state, it is time to lengthen the muscle by stretching it in a very gentle manner. After the muscle has been gently stretched, use long effleurage strokes to further lengthen the muscles and to flush the area.

Take care if you are working on an area that has had a past injury. Cross fiber friction will be the best way to approach scar tissue and adhesions. Wide vibration strokes can further aid in relaxing the muscle by interrupting the signals from the nervous system that tell a muscle to contract or shorten. Keep in mind that you should never deeply massage one targeted muscle for longer than five minutes.

To complete the deep tissue massage, use full hand long effleurage strokes directed towards the client’s heart. These strokes should be broad and simply travel in the same direction as the veins and lymph vessels. It is important to enhance the flow of venous blood and lymph since tight muscles compress their own blood vessels and reduce circulation in the affected body area.

Muscles that were worked extensively could be iced after the massage. The cold compress should not be used for more than 10-15 minutes. The client should drink water after the massage to complete the flushing of metabolic wastes. A client might feel a little sore after a deep tissue massage. After this initial soreness, the muscles should feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

Find a Houston Massage School

Enjoy your career in massage therapy by choosing a quality massage school to receive a thorough education to help you feel confident in beginning your new career. Call the Houston School of Massage at 713-681-5275 today!