In deep tissue or connective tissue massage, you apply pressure with your hands, arms, and body weight to another person's muscles. Start by making sure she is relaxed. You can use this type of massage on the back, arms and legs, to name a few parts of the body, but first you need to follow some safety measures.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Making the Person Relax
Step 1. Cover the person well
Usually those who receive a massage are not fully clothed and almost everyone does not feel comfortable being too naked. Consequently, you need to cover the areas that you are not working on, in order to make the person feel more peaceful.
Usually the person will start in the prone position on the table
Step 2. Apply massage oil
Put some on your hands, considering that you don't need much of it for the connective tissue massage. Spread it with sweeping movements on the person's back. The warmth from your hands will also help melt the oil.
Ask the person if they have allergies to any particular oils
Step 3. Start with a light massage
Gently caress the person's skin with your hands. You shouldn't start working deeply on the tissues right away, as the patient would stiffen. Starting in the recommended way helps to warm up and relax the person, so that he can pass without problems to put pressure on the connective tissue.
Basically, you will use your entire hand to massage the area where you will go deep. At this stage you only need to apply light pressure, which allows your hands to feel
Step 4. Massage with your fingers together
Use the whole hand, with your fingers together. If you widen them, it is more likely that you will pinch the muscle, causing pain to the patient. Imagine sculpting clay, both in the light and deep massage phase.
Part 2 of 4: Apply Pressure to the Back
Step 1. Use the palm of your hand
After the first light movements, you will feel the muscles begin to warm up. When this happens, you can use your palm and body weight to start adding pressure to your massage. Move your hand along the muscle that runs parallel to the spine, all over the back. Apply pressure with slow, even strokes.
Do not put pressure on the bones and spine
Step 2. Massage with your fingertips
Once your muscles have warmed up, start using your fingertips. You can make very small lateral movements or stroke the muscles back and forth, without ever separating the fingers. Run your hands from your lower back to your shoulders.
Step 3. Use your forearm to put pressure on your back
Starting at the shoulders, place the forearm on the inside of the back. Pushing with your body weight, slide your forearm over the muscle surrounding the spine in one smooth motion.
Step 4. Move sideways in your lower back
Once you have reached this part of the body with the forearm, rotate it sideways just above the buttocks. Bring the arm back up passing the outer side of the back, reaching the shoulder. With your hand facing the floor, bring your arm down towards your chest to complete the movement.
Part 3 of 4: Massage the legs and arms
Step 1. Use your forearm to put pressure on the leg
Start above the ankle at the back of the leg. You should hold your forearm perpendicular to the limb and apply pressure with your body weight. Work your way up the calf and thigh, pausing for a moment just below the buttocks. Rotate your arm in one smooth motion around your hip.
Step 2. Press the calf with your thumbs
Place your hands on the sides of the calf, with your thumbs in the center of the muscle, one behind the other. While applying pressure, move your fingers towards the knee, staying in the center.
- The calf muscle is only one, the gastrocnemius, but it has two ends. This means that in the center you will find a line that you can follow with your thumbs.
- Alternatively, you can use your knuckles.
Step 3. Press the upper arm with the lower hand
Starting with the patient's prone elbow, move your hand towards the shoulder, applying pressure with the weight of the body.
You can also use your knuckles to put pressure on your arm. Use small circular motions
Step 4. Run your fingers over your forearm
Keep your thumb on one side and your fingers on the other side of your forearm (inner / outer), applying pressure with both. Bring your hand towards your elbow.
You can also use both thumbs on the upper forearm. Keep them aligned, not side by side. By applying pressure, slide them up, to the center of the forearm
Step 5. Massage the hand with your thumbs
Keep them both side by side on the inside of the wrist. Move them slowly on the wrist and along the lines of the palm. Pay particular attention to the muscles, including the area at the base of the thumb.
Part 4 of 4: Proceed with Caution
Step 1. Don't press on the spine
When you do a deep tissue massage, especially on the back, you have to pay attention to the area you touch. Pressing on the spine can cause pain and even damage, so you should avoid massaging that area forcefully.
Step 2. Avoid the other vulnerable areas
If you are doing a full-body massage, avoid the front of the neck, the abdomen, and the inside of the upper arm. It is easy to cause damage in those areas, so it is best to avoid them.
Step 3. Ask the patient what their health is before starting
Deep tissue massage, like many types of massage, can cause problems for people with specific pathologies. For example, people with bleeding disorders, fractures, (severe) osteoporosis and deep vein thrombosis are at risk of being damaged following a massage.
Step 4. Move in the direction of the heart
When massaging the limbs, it is best to put pressure in the direction of the heart. For example, on the legs, this means moving upwards and not downwards.
- Applying strong pressure towards the heart promotes circulation in that direction.
- Deep tissue massage can help lower blood pressure.
Step 5. Pay attention to the other person's reactions
A deep tissue massage doesn't have to be very painful. It is normal to feel a little pain, but if you notice the person twitching their muscles or pinching their toes, the discomfort is excessive. You have to change your approach and be more delicate. You can also ask her directly how she feels.
