1st thread! -Advice on deep tissue massage

[dearjonny]

This is my second attempt as I tried to post a thread and I can't see it?

Anyway, to make this as short as possible I would like to start providing DTM at my local gym. I am qualified in sports therapy, swedish, aroma etc.... but haven't performed 'sports therapy' or 'DTM' since qualifying 7 years ago. I just do swedish and aromatherapy.

So I thought DTM at my gym would be good to provide as it's not as in depth as sports, but firmer than a swedish. I'm qualified, just need to brush up on it. People often say I should do it as I have good firm pressure. So I know the basic movements of a deeper massage like using elbows, forearm etc....., but what I worry about is whether I'd need to brush up on the science of it such as the deep muscles, not just knowing the main muscle groups like deltoids or gluteous maximous( if that's how it's spelt???). I feel confident at the massage bit as I'm used to doing pretty firm massages for people who want it. Any advice would be great. I hope you can make sense of what I'm trying to get across I wanna do it asap before someone gets the room. I know I would be good at it as I'm strong and into weight lifting and fitness as it's part of my lifestyle.
Thanks

 

[swenxuekizniageil]

...just do it! (and brush up on it at the same time)

TBW

 

[Regan O]

Hi L2M

Welcome to HP

Good well focused and thoughtful massage is all you need to consider regardless of the type of technique. But commerically deep tissue in a good direction to go. As for muscles, I couldn't remember all the muscles, attachment points and actions off the top of my head and not many therapists can remember all their A&P. The appreication(sp) of the muscles while working is the more important bit. Modern theory today is focusing on the myofascia. You can always read a textbook. The Concise Book of Muscles by Chris Jarmey is very popular for muscles, and Anatomy Trains by Tom Myers for the myofascia.

Since you are in Devon what about doing some short continued professional development workshops. There are several schools like the Devon Academy and the School of Complementary Health.

Best Wishes

RP

 

[Tanim]

The modern distinctions between Sports, Deep Tissue and Swedish massage are misleading, I think.

As Reiki Pixie says, or implies, massage is massage! We should always do with the client before us what we feel is right in order to help their body do its own thing to bring it balance and health.

Some of the big guys at my gym sometimes benefit best from the lightest of massages and sometimes some of my more frail and elderly clients need some deep work - neither they nor I would have know that before they got on the couch and we stared the work.

Your intuition, listening and sensing what is going on in the body you are touching so that together you work towards balance and health is far more important, in my opinion, than remembering the names and details of muscles! I've had massage from physiology and anatomy experts who didn't have the faintest idea and probably gave me the same massage as their previous and following clients, and from far less qualified therapists who really knew what they were doing and what I needed - I know which I prefer!