Pressure Poll

[tarsha]

Pressure Poll

I enjoy a variety of massage techniques and pressure levels. Rather than specify the pressure I *think* is required, I tell MTs to use whatever level of pressure they feel is needed to get the job done. Some go light, some go bone-deep - but all of the skilled ones left me feeling far better than I did before the session. If I'm paying attention, I also usually pick up some great ideas about how to work on different parts of the body with a wide range of techniques and strategies.

At our massage center, we get a wide range of pressure requests. A few prefer pressure so light it's just gentle stroking, but others ask for "as much as you can give - I won't scream no matter what!" : Most of our clients seem to prefer something in the middle.

As a practitioner, I can deliver an enormous amount of force, but I prefer not to. I always seem to get much better results when I minimize the pain experienced during a massage session. Positional release techniques enable me to do deep trigger point work with a minimum of perceived discomfort. I get great results with athletes that are normally accustomed to DEEP TO THE BONE pressure, and most are surprised by how little pain they had to endure. For those who are in the middle of a competitive season, I tend to do more Active Isolated Stretching because it is less traumatic to the tissues, facilitates recovery, and often results in immediate performance improvements.

For the few who ask me to "go harder" during a session, I give them a bit of what they *think* they want, then ask if I should continue the painful work or go back to what I was doing before. In my experience, almost all of them prefer the less painful approach. I refer the few who prefer more painful work to other MTs who might be more to their liking.

 

[Is it summer yet??]

Pressure Poll

I like medium or a combination.

However, as some of you know, my passion is myofascial release and not the deep, painful type taught in most massage schools. In chair massage, someone in the chair will say, Go as deep as you can. My favourite response? Well, would you like me to go deep OR would you like me to get rid of the knots? That makes them think. Then I use relatively light MFR techniques and get rid of the knots, whereupon their question is usually, How do you DO that?!

I like to encourage people to really listen to their body, to be aware of when it is experiencing pain or any other symptom.

 

[Baily]

For the most part I agree with what people have posted. I think intuition's essential and a combination of pressures during a massage is the most effective way to release myofascial tension. That being said, I do disagree with one thing. Although I find it annoying when a therapist asks many times during the massage if pressure's OK, I think it's essential to check in at the beginning of the massage. I've received a lot of massage in my life, and I can say that very few therapists have the intuition to know if the pressure's right without any feedback at all. By not asking, you run the risk of not giving your client the massage they want. By checking in once, you know you're in the right "zone" and from that point forward, you should definitely follow your intuition and let the client melt into the experience. For me, when I check in, I'm trying to discern the client's "deep" end preference for the range of pressures I'll use during the session. Once I know what that is, I won't go past it. The trapezius is a great muscle to figure this out.

That's my opinion, anyway.

I know I have good tissuition (tissue intuition.) I have clients who have been coming to me for years. I let clients know in the beginning of their first session to let me know if I need to change my pressure. I say something like, "I have been doing this for more than 5 years now. If you need me to adjust my pressure at all, be sure to let me know. I am good at massage, but I'm a lousy mind reader." This usually brings on little chuckle. And you know what?? Clients speak up when they need me to adjust my pressure. Sometimes they ask for more, sometimes less. Usually I am asked to back off a bit, very seldom am I asked for a little more, but it does happen occasionally. I have toyed with the idea of putting it in writing and posting it in the treatment rooms as a reminder to my repeat clients.

I also tell clients that if they want to chat, that's fine, but if they just want a relaxing massage and want quiet, that's great too. Their money, their session.

 

[tbownfarmer]

Pressure Poll

Pressure is on my mind today. I got a massage from someone new yesterday and I am hurting today. The area completely around my scapula is too tender to touch.

We discuss this at work often. The owner/CMT is of the opinion that everyone really wants/needs DT and she gives it to 'em with both barrels. I often have to ask her to ease up on the pressure and she tells me I'm a wimp. And I don't like the way she applies pressure on bony parts! That just HURTS me. But she does have her clients that have come to her for years and years, so there must be those that like it. :undecided:

I myself prefer medium. When giving, I always start out with Swedish, to warm the area up and relax it. I tell my clients I'm going to start out with less pressure, to get started but will use more as the area relaxes and they can speak up at any time and tell me to use more or back off. I think in the past year, my intuition and skills have really, suddenly taken a major jump and I'm also seeing that in the number of regulars I have now. I also find that, as someone else mentioned, many people just want good pressure and not necessarily DT. They may have had a massage in the past that we call 'lotion rubs' and think that is Swedish but when I do primarily Swedish techniques on them using decent pressure, they find they like it and feel much better. Sometimes people tell me they want DT but when I get in there, they don't like it. I'm always happy to oblige in whatever direction they want.

 

[heidi]

Pressure Poll

I'd say the majority of my clients SAY they want deep tissue, or firm pressure. Unfortunately I think part of that is due to the stigma that a gentler massage is less therapeutic, or that the therapist is less able because they don't deliver deep enough pressure. I've definitely done "my standard" deep tissue on people only to feel them wince and squirm, I'll immediately let off the pressure, and ask if I can use a softer touch to relax the tissue, not elbow attack the muscle... I think most people don't receive enough regular massage, so they feel like getting a deep tissue every 3 months is "getting their moneys worth". I really try to encourage people to come in as often as they can, even if that means only receiving a 30 min massage every 2 or 3 weeks rather than 60 min every 2 or 3 months apart.

When I get a massage, while I can dish out the deep tissue and triggerpoint, I love gentle medium pressure swedish. I love long effleurage, passive stretching, soft neck traction, some good footwork, and a scalp massage that leaves my hair all crazy!!! Ahhh.. I want a massage :shock: