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I always hear people talking about “deep tissue” massage and want to know your opinions on that and when and why someone would get that kind of a massage?

What is the proper after-care for a therapeutic massage? 

You seem really picky about how I go about icing – why is that?

You always give me a bottle of water after each session – why is that?

I got injured and when I called to schedule a deep tissue massage, it seemed like you were trying to talk me out of it. Why is that?

You say that deep work is not what I need for an injury, but it seems to feel good when I get it done. How do you explain that?

If I have an injury, is it beneficial to take pain relievers before receiving bodywork?

Why do you always tell me to take a deep breath when you are working on a specific point?

Q:  I always hear people talking about “deep tissue” massage and want to know your opinions on that and when and why someone would get that kind of a massage?

A:  Deep tissue really is just what it sounds like - the strokes that are used during the session are deeper than what someone would receive in a typical massage. The strokes are also performed a bit differently in that different parts of the therapist’s body or hands may be used to deliver the strokes.

Deep tissue massages should not equate with a painful massage. When done properly, there will be noticeable pressure, but guarding and rebounding pain should not be present. The most frequent reason people complain about a deep tissue session is for two primary reasons: 1) the therapist did not perform the massage properly and / or 2) the client did not do as they were instructed for after-care.

Proper deep tissue work requires taking some time to properly warm the muscles before the deep work begins. Additionally, the speed with which the strokes are performed needs to be slow and methodical. Improper warming and fast work cause pain and muscular activation – that ends up being counter-productive and possibly hurting.

A deep tissue massage is a good choice when muscles are sore as a result of over use. The tenderness in the muscles is due to lactic acid build-up and metabolites of waste products. Deep tissue work will help flush these by-products out of the muscles resulting in a quicker recovery.

Q:  What is the proper after-care for a therapeutic massage?

A: There are some general guidelines to follow after receiving any type of therapeutic massage. There are three important things to do post therapeutic session. Drinking a good amount of water helps provide the solute to flush any waste products or metabolites that have been moved as a result of the physical manipulation of the muscles, as well as replenish the body’s fluids and prevent dehydration. Icing is a key part of after-care when tender muscles have been worked or deep work has occurred. Limiting strenuous activities can provide time for the session work to complete the therapeutic process.

Q:  You seem really picky about how I go about icing – why is that?

A:  For most people, icing is the best way to offset negative after-effects of deep massage work and help the muscles repair and recuperate.  When deep work is used to break up adhesions and remove toxins from the muscles, the body may respond by sending fluid to the area in order to further flush out toxins and heal the tissue, resulting in inflammation. Depending on your body’s response, you may feel stiff, sore, and almost bruised within 24 hours after receiving the work.  Icing helps to flush out fluids taking toxins with them, as well as relax and anesthetize the tissue.

There are various types of icing methods and your therapist will advise you in the proper techniques for your specific situation. Heating the muscles is NOT good to do unless specifically instructed to do so by your therapist. Icing needs to be done correctly to be effective. Correct icing will take about 20 minutes to be effective. There is a specific sequence of sensations the body will go through during the process: first the cold will be felt; then it will feel as if there is a mild burning sensation; then there will be a sensation of aching; finally there will be a sensation of numbness. A person needs to get to the numbness part of the process before the icing actually is able to penetrate all the way into the muscle – which is the goal of this process. Stopping before that does not provide the therapeutic benefit.  

*Tip*  Icing should never be done directly on the skin, rather a thin cloth should be placed between the ice pack and your skin.  

Q:  You always give me a bottle of water after each session – why is that?

A:  The body is largely made up of water and water is a key requirement for metabolism and cellular functioning. Although we often take it for granted, clear water is important to help flush the body after any type of bodywork or energy work. The body actually goes through a little detox process and water helps that process occur. We provide Fiji bottled water because it is one of the few waters that actually have the pH level indicated on the label. Fiji is a little alkaline and it helps off-set the acidic nature of the detox process.

Q:  I got injured and when I called to schedule a deep tissue massage, it seemed like you were trying to talk me out of it. Why is that?

A:  There is a big difference between muscle soreness due to overuse and muscle or tendon injury. Injury means that the muscle tissues are inflamed. When tissue is inflamed, doing something that increases inflammation only worsens the injury or postpones the healing process. If you get a cut on your arm you don’t dig into it to make it better. We have many other types of therapeutic massage and bodywork that we do that specifically address injury issues in a gentle and appropriate manner. Deep work is contra-indicated in the cause of injury or acute pain. We can help make the right choice for your particular issues.

*Tip* Signs of inflammation include visible swelling (edema), red or flush appearance to the skin, and/or heat in the tissue.  Generally the best thing to do when inflammation is present is to ice, particularly within the first 6-8 hrs after an injury.

 

Q: You say that deep work is not what I need for an injury, but it seems to feel good when I get it
       done. How do you explain that? 

A:  There is research that supports our position on this.  The research shows that when the body goes through the pain process, endorphins are released. Endorphins are “feel-good” hormones. So, if you are in some pain and that pain is increased – even by doing inappropriate bodywork – the body will respond to that additional pain by a temporary release of those feel-good hormones. You will feel better and a sense of diminished pain for a little while. No real progress has been made and no real healing has started. The pain is just masked by the endorphins. We want to be instrumental in really encouraging the healing process. That means using gentle techniques when you are hurt or have spasmodic range of motion issues. This is not a case of no-pain; no gain! 

Q:  If I have an injury, is it beneficial to take pain relievers before receiving bodywork?

A:  Absolutely not.  Massage should not be performed if you are taking any medication that masks pain. As unpleasant as pain may be, it is the body’s natural warning system.  Pain is how your body knows when enough is enough.  If that system is dulled or disabled in any way, there is the possibility of doing too much work and harming the body.

Q:  Why do you always tell me to take a deep breath when you are working on a specific point?

A:  Take a deep breath in and hold it for a moment.  Do you notice how tense your muscles are while you hold your breath?  Now exhale, making a conscious effort to push the last bit of air out of your lungs.  Do you notice how your shoulders drop and your body seems to let go and relax for a moment?  Breathing is the body’s natural way of releasing tension, in fact that is one of the reasons it is a focal point in both Yoga and Meditation.  Many times when we get caught up in the stress of our day, we realize that we are either breathing very shallow, or worse, holding our breath.  If you take a moment to just focus on your breath, matching your inhalations to your exhalations, bringing each breath further and further down into your body, you will notice stress and tension slowly leaving your body.