Communication:  The key to an effective deep tissue massage

Many people call me for a deep tissue massage in the Orlando area.

Many times they tell me their previous experiences, which usually fall into 1 of 2 categories:

1. I can’t find someone to go deep enough
2. I want a deep tissue massage, but the last therapist hurt me so I’m nervous

As far as pressure, I have never had someone leave my table saying they wish they could have gotten more pressure.

When it comes to the deep tissue massage not hurting, that is something I can offer as well.  There are a few levels of “hurt” and my goal is never to bring you to experience sharp pain that makes you hold your breath and tense up.  The goal of a deep tissue massage is to relieve your pain and also help you attain the “good hurt” feeling associated with a great deep tissue or sports massage.

Many parents are seeking out deep tissue and sports massage for their children.  They have seen the benefits in their own bodies and want their children to experience the same benefits for themselves.

Many people think children are immune from tight muscles and scar tissue build up.  Why do they think this?  Because children are invincible, right???

Children, especially children athletes, experience all the aches and pains their adult counterparts do.  Over training, lack of rest, lack of stretching, all combined with explosive movements can cause the most resilient child athlete to injure themselves.

YES!

The short answer is yes.  The long answer is maybe.  The medium answer is most likely.

Low back pain can be caused by an unbelievable amount of situations.  If you do not have regular low back pain but are suddenly experiencing aches and pains after switching to flip flops, the answer is probably yes; flip flops are causing your low back pain.

You may find yourself asking for a specific type of massage, but it may not be the one you really want.

Many people are referred to my because they are in pain.  They no longer want to be in pain so they are seeking out alternative therapies to pain killers and just "dealing with it."  When they call, they often use a common buzz word associated with pain relief...Sports Massage.

The common association with Sports Massage is one of pain relief or deep tissue massage.  At my practice in the Orlando area, I provide Deep Tissue Massage, Sports Massage and several other specific types of massage.  Each one has a completely different effect on the body.

If you're older than 5, you may not get excited over garbage day anymore.

My 4 year old thinks its almost as good as Christmas.  And it comes every week!

I happen to enjoy garbage day for the simple fact all my old, used, dirty, smelly trash magically disappears.  My garage takes on a bearable smell for a few days and there's a feeling of starting fresh.  No more trash, everything in the house is clean.  It feels good.

What on earth does this have to do with massage?

One of the most common misconceptions about Deep Tissue Massage is it's all about PRESSURE.

Many people think only a Strong, Male Massage Therapist can provide a really good deep tissue massage.  As a strong, male massage therapist this greatly improves the amount of clients I see.

Much like your favorite shirt, over time, your body will wear out.  You will probably not end up with holes throughout your skin in random places, but your muscles will get tight, torn and lose range of motion.

Lets look at the shirt for a moment.  This is your favorite shirt.  You wear it as often as you can get away with, even if that is just at home.  The more you wear it, the more you wash it.  The more you wash it, the more the material thins.  The more the material thins, the more likely you are going to have holes begin to appear.

As an experienced provider of deep tissue and sports massage in the Orlando, Florida area I work with A LOT of people that are in pain.

• Back Pain
• Shoulder Pain
• Neck Pain
• And every other Pain you can imagine

The majority of massages I provide are for helping someone who is in pain.  Whether I am loosening tight musculature surrounding an injury, working out "knots" or increasing range of motion, people call me when they are hurting.

That is great and I feel so lucky I get to be a part of their healing journey.  A good deep tissue massage can help alleviate many pain symptoms and over time can play a part in eliminating chronic pain.

When is the best time to get a Deep Tissue or Sports massage?

• Is it the day before you workout?
• The day of your workout?
• The day after your workout?
• Immediately before or after a workout?

Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this question.  The reason there is no clear cut answer about when to get a massage is because everyone's body is different and the type of massage you get plays a role in the answer too.

In the above picture I'm working on my young daughter.  I have used the same techniques on her that I use on Professional Athletes.  Her pressure limit is much less than an adult athlete, but the technique used is the same.  Many people have heard of certain techniques that can cause pain, and associate that specific technique with pain..