talk to me about deep tissue massage

L Sass

L Sass

Cathlete
I've had relaxation massages before, and last week before the RT had my first deep tissue massage. I never knew hands, fingers, elbows and forearms could feel like knives -- oh my! Expected soreness the following day or so and had none. I received a package of 4 sessions so I followed up today. I guess when these sessions are done I'll think about if I need to keep going. So for those of you who have had them ... why is deep tissue better than relaxation (if it is). How often would you have one done? And since I am such a massage novice, how much do you tip your massage therapist? TIA
 
I prefer deep tissue to any other type of massage. To me, nothing relaxes my muscles as well as that type. It's the deep pressure that I feel really gets in there.

It depends on whether or not you're getting massage for theraputic purposes, or for pleasure. I do both. My theraputic massage is actually a combination of deep tissue and trigger point therapy. I see my therapist every 3 weeks or so, 4 at the longest.

I only tip if I am getting massage for pleasure. In that case, I usually tip about $20 - but that's common for where I live, and may be different depending on where you are.

If you find the pressure too painful, you can always ask the therapist to ease up. It should be comfortable and relaxing, regardless of why you're getting the massage.
 
melimcn said:
I prefer deep tissue to any other type of massage. To me, nothing relaxes my muscles as well as that type. It's the deep pressure that I feel really gets in there.

It depends on whether or not you're getting massage for theraputic purposes, or for pleasure. I do both. My theraputic massage is actually a combination of deep tissue and trigger point therapy. I see my therapist every 3 weeks or so, 4 at the longest.
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Agreed and ditto! Relaxation massage, aka "swedish" massage, is worthless to me. It does nothing to help my knotty muscles. I need deep tissue work to deal with my trigger points and adhesions. I go about once a month. As my massage therapist is part of a medical office, I do not tip her (although I do give her a holiday tip at Christmastime). If I were getting a spa massage, I would probably tip.

Deep tissue massage should be a "hurts so good" kind of feeling. It should definitely be substantial pressure and it may hurt a bit, but you should be able to breathe deeply through it and the muscle will then relax into the pressure. If it doesn't, tell your therapist to lighten up a bit.

I actually have a massage this afternoon and I can't wait! I looooooove my deep tissue massages! :D
 
L Sass said:
I've had relaxation massages before, and last week before the RT had my first deep tissue massage. I never knew hands, fingers, elbows and forearms could feel like knives -- oh my! Expected soreness the following day or so and had none. I received a package of 4 sessions so I followed up today. I guess when these sessions are done I'll think about if I need to keep going. So for those of you who have had them ... why is deep tissue better than relaxation (if it is). How often would you have one done? And since I am such a massage novice, how much do you tip your massage therapist? TIA
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Personally, I like my deep tissue massages to hurt. I am usually bruised after my massages. However, my body is limber and relaxed afterwards. I receive them every 3 weeks from the same person. I also tip her $20. I also get Thai-Yoga Massages, some refer to it as the "lazy man's yoga" because it is yoga being performed on you. I describe it as a "dance of deep lengthening of muscles, acupressure, reflexology, gentle rocking, and breath work" while you are fully clothed. It's fabulous!
 
I know quite a few who swear by deep tissue.

I prefer Swedish, or better yet, hot stone massage (when I *really* treat myself). The combination of heat and massage does wonders.

I try to go once per month (I am overdue at the moment) and tip $20.
 
Depends on my mood. I sometimes do swedish and just ask for more pressure. I will typically do a sports massage which will incorporate, swedish, deep tissue, and stretching. I always tip 15%-20% unless the therapist really sucks, like the time I got a massage and the therapist burnt my back with a heat pad!
 
I see my massage therapist every 4-5 weeks and she does a combination of deep tissue, hot stones, and myofacial release. My muscles often get knotted & tight and this really loosens me up. I tip 15% with a bonus at Christmas.

JJ
 
I've only had one massage and that was several years ago and I don' think it was deep tissue, but DH goes at least twice a month, sometimes 3 times. He usually gets the deep tissue and he loves it! He comes home totally relaxed.
 
Lorrie..I am a true believer of deep tissue massages. I had a few relaxation ones and felt it was a complete waste of time. I want my muscles worked. I have a great MT and I would not change her for anything. I had some nasty piriformis pain awhile back. I knew if my therapist was going to get in there it would hurt. She did and it did!!! BUT....the pain in my piriformis subsided completely in about 3 days. I have only been bruised if I have not gone regularly, otherwise I feel awesome after (just ask the cheetahs!!). I try and go every 3-4 weeks. The massage is $60 and I tip $15. After reading all the posts I guess I should be tipping $20!...:eek:
 
L Sass said:
I've had relaxation massages before, and last week before the RT had my first deep tissue massage. I never knew hands, fingers, elbows and forearms could feel like knives -- oh my! Expected soreness the following day or so and had none. I received a package of 4 sessions so I followed up today. I guess when these sessions are done I'll think about if I need to keep going. So for those of you who have had them ... why is deep tissue better than relaxation (if it is). How often would you have one done? And since I am such a massage novice, how much do you tip your massage therapist? TIA
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Swedish massage focuses on the full body and is intended to relax you by softening the superficial fascia that lies beneath the skin with slow and rhythmic strokes. It is the foundation for sports massage. Basic sports massage is a combination of swedish massage and more specific, faster paced strokes. The benefits of both of these massages include enhanced circulation flow, health maintenance, and reduced pain.

Most MTs soften the superficial fascia before working deeper layers of muscle, ligaments and tendons. Usually, a specific area is focused for deep tissue instead of the entire body due to time. The intention of deep tissue (myofascial) include improved structural alignment, increased range of motion, and reduced pain. Breaking up an adhesion would be an example of structural alignment.

Thai massage (Northern style) is a lot like passive yoga. A true full body Thai massage usually takes 4 hours. This is the only massage my mom will get because you stay fully clothed. However, my therapist incorporates some Thai massage techniques into my massages.

I prefer a combination of swedish, site specific myofascial, and Thai massage. I don't get trigger point therapy where a knot is forcefully released. However, my dh will break up a deep, annoying knot that may surface right after a massage. It takes a long time for my knots to break apart. I've also noticed that my knots will release on its own with regular massage and when it's ready.

I usually get weekly massages with the same massage therapist. She knows my body. She can tell if I'm pms'ing by the feel of my sacrum!:eek: If I wasn't going to massage school, I'd probably cut back to twice a month. If a massage is $35 (yes, you can find private massage therapists who will charge that amount if it's in their home), I'd give $50. For $65, I'll give $80. If it's $80, I'd give $100.

Hope this helps.
Wendy
 
I wanted to mention massages at a chiropractor's office. Don't rule those massage therapists out unless you want a spa treatment. Depending on the set-up, some of the massage therapists who work there operate independently. They pay rent for the space on top of insurance, sheets, oils, etc. Like a private practice, they book their own clients along with clients referred to by the chiropractor. I don't see how tipping them differently makes sense unless the massage you are receiving is being paid by insurance. At any rate, regardless of whether massage therapists there are self employed are not, they commonly massage a lot of bodies -- bodies with specific injuries. They get a lot of practice at being able to distinguish what feels normal or not and how an injury is healing. Since time is very short in places like this, they learn the best techniques to use for problem areas. Yeah, you could rub a muscle back and forth for an hour and it would eventually feel better. :rolleyes:

Wendy
 
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