Deep Tissue vs Deep Pressure

A lot of clients are confused about the difference between Deep Tissue Massage and a "deep pressure massage." Deep Tissue Massage is a whole modality that is used to treat musculoskeletal issues such as strains and sports injuries. It involves applying sustained pressure using slower, deep strokes that target your inner layers of muscles and connective tissue.

What Deep Tissue Massage is not, is relaxing with firm pressure or "deep pressure." A lot of clients are looking for a relaxing massage, but a little deeper pressure in trouble areas and they will say, "Can you do deep tissue?" When an elbow or stiffened thumbs are applied to the areas, they wince and want the therapist to back off. What they were more likely needing was just a firm pressure and maybe a little more focus on the area.

Deep Tissue massage may start off relaxing, but each stroke will get a little more intense as the therapist goes into deeper parts of the muscle tissue. There are moves called cross-fiber friction, knuckling, stripping, Trigger Point therapy, and Myofascial Release to name a few. These moves can become uncomfortable. There might also be some delayed onset muscle soreness the following day or for a few days. This is normal. In the event you do feel sore, ibuprofen or indica can be helpful. Other pain relief can be alternating ice and heat over the muscle areas and gentle stretching. Always drink plenty o water. Hydration is key.

Do not believe in the term, "No pain, no gain." This is not true for everyone. Pain is also not "weakness leaving the body." Pain can be indicative of injury or exacerbate an existing problem.

Lomi Lomi

 As I transition back into massage therapy from my regular non-massage jobs I have taken on in other states, I have taken a Lomi Lomi course.  It's important for a serious massage therapist to update their technique periodically.

The reason for the importance is if a therapist has the same routine every session, it becomes recognizable to the client.  They will know the routine and will eventually know what you will be doing next.  A true massage artist will have a lot of different techniques, and might not have a routine at all.  Each treatment is customized to the client's needs.

Lomi Lomi is a traditional Hawaiian massage.  Lomi Lomi is both a Hawaiian and a Samoan word.  It means to knead or make soft.  Simplifed, it means massage.  It is also known as the "loving hands" massage. Incidentally, it doesn't use much of the hands as other massage modalities do.  This art is believed to have been brought to Hawaii by the early Polynesian settlers, while others believe it's an ancient healing art brought to ancient Hawaii from the mystical land of Mu.  It is performed in the spirit of Aloha and is based on the Hawaiian philosophy of Huna.

True Lomi Lomi incorporates other forms of healing with the knowledge of herbs and natural remedies, which also include a prayer, breath, and energy restoration.  It helped in relieving in blockages of the body, mind, and emotions.  In modern times, in the field of massage therapy, we do it more for the healing qualities of the bodywork and muscle manipulation.

In Lomi Lomi, different parts of the body can be massaged at the same time, as the therapist's arms can go over a larger range.  It brings out a deeper sense of relaxation and less focus on the practitioner.  According to Huma philosphy, the mind and body are invariably linked and mutually dependent on each other.  Good health happens when the body and mind are both in balance.

In the 1800s, with the colonization and overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii and introduction of Christianity, lomi lomi was banned as it was thought to be shamanic.  It involved prayers and chants that Christians related to sorcery.  However, in modern Lomi Lomi, we do not rely on prayers and chanting and still completely benefit from the bodywork provided.

Scope of Practice

 Scope of practice is the range of techniques and practices a person can do in a job, that they are trained in.  A lot of clients have asked things outside of my scope of practice as they don't truly understand the difference between a chiropractor, a nurse, or a massage therapist.  A chiropractor is a doctor.  A massage therapist is not.  A massage therapist is also not a nurse.  Chiropractors and nurses can massage, but a massage therapist cannot do what Chiropractors do, nor what nurses do.

Massage means to rub the muscles.  So, in essence, Massage Therapists are people who went to school to learn how to manipulate muscles by applying pressure, palpation, effleurage, petrissage, kneading, holding, positioning, mobilizing, and stretching; for circulation, for relaxation, for pain relief, etc.

What we (or I) do NOT do is:
adjust (crack/pop) your bones (at least not on purpose)
diagnose (we will not tell you you have a disease or disorder)
we don't x-ray
we don't prescribe medications
we also don't do massage or bodywork modalities we are not certified for

Massage and Bodywork I am trained in:
Swedish Massage
Deep Tissue
Acupressure
Shiatsu
Reflexology
Aromatherapy
Hot Stone Therapy
Crystal Therapy
Reiki
Lomi Lomi
This list will be updated on a separate page on this website, eventually, as I continue learning and updating my techniques.