General Rules for Massage
Deep tissue massage and pressure-point work are gaining increasing
recognition as powerful healing modalities. At the same time, the current focus
on containing health care costs has combined with the rise of holistic awareness
to create a growing movement toward patient education and self care.
Pressure
Rule # 1. Pressing too hard and too quickly can damage tissues and create
more problems.
Rule # 2. Pressing too soft will do little to relieve the problem.
Rule # 3. Use gentle steady pressure and gradually increase it until the body
responds back "That's enough!" Learn to identify Minor Discomfort - the point at
which pain is a message rather than a place where your body tenses more. The
body responds quicker and heals better this way. Use this minor discomfort as
feedback to balance and calibrate your pressure.
Movement
Rule # 1. Learn to develop a steady pace. The speed of movement is less a
factor in relaxation than the pace of the movement.
Rule # 2. The above rule is true up to a point. Extremes at both ends will
effect relaxation. Use moderation.
Direction
Rule # 1. Move toward the heart. The body is designed with valves in the
veins the direct the blood flow in this way.
Rule # 2. The above rule is also true up to a point. As long as your pressure
is not too deep and invasive (Remember minor discomfort), there is value in
pressing away from the heart at first and then finish by moving towards it.
Proper Mechanics
Rule # 1. Practice using even pressure with your whole hand. Your thumb is a
helper - not the only massage tool you have.
Rule # 2. Relax your neck and shoulders. You can apply as much and probably
more pressure with these areas relaxed than when they are tight. Over tensing one
part of the body to relax another defeats the purpose.
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