Why sometimes you need light pressure in a massage not just deep tissue?

Our instinct as humans when we feel tight and stiff is to feel we just need someone to just get into the muscles.  By” get into the muscles”, I mean clients always ask me for deep pressure – which I am happy to give.  But sometimes, I need to start with light pressure so I thought it would be worth explaining why:

  1. Warm the muscles up.
    Its important to warm the muscles up before doing in deeper which is more comfortable for the client.
  2. Access the muscles.
    Light pressure allows me to access the muscles and find where the issues are, so your massage is more effective.
  3. Sensitivity & Pain.
    Some clients don’t realise until I massage a certain muscle that is tender to the touch or out right painful.  By going lightly and slowly you can de-sensitise the muscle and may reduce the pain to allow me to then do in with deep tissue massage techniques as and where necessary.
  4. Trigger Points.
    These are hyperirritable spots located in a taut band of muscle. If  the tigger points are very irritated it may be beneficial to start with lighter pressure for a more comfortable client experience.
  5. Tight Myofascial.
    Myofascial tissues surround and support the muscles throughout your body.  These can become tight sometimes and sometimes a lighter pressure is needed to release the tissues.

 

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