How to Know What Kind of Massage You Need and Communicate It to Your Therapist

"What kind of massage are you looking for?"

It's a question asked of every potential new client and even long time clients before most sessions, but do you really know how to answer that and get across what you want from your therapist? If not, don't feel bad; most people don't know how to explain their needs in a way that informs their therapist of their goals and gets them the relief they have been aching for. In fact, most clients and potential clients don't even know the difference in massage types that are available. Today I am going to explain some common massage techniques and vocabulary so you can more effectively communicate your needs and goals for your next massage session.

Swedish and Deep Tissue: What is the Difference Between Them and Which One Should I Ask For?

An unclothed person laying face down on a table, covered by sheets and surrounded by relaxing looking art and plants, maybe some candles. A person comes in wearing a white uniform and starts rubbing the back of the person on the table with lotion. Music plays softly and the lights are dim. Suddenly, the person administering the rubbing digs their elbow in and the person on the table is screaming in pain over and over. This is how media often picture massage, but I will let you in on a secret: the media dresses up the truth in a larger than life caricature for just about every situation they show whether it be how people deal with problems in their relationship or how people behave after being injured in a fight. It's for laughs, for drama, to make you feel something about the characters. It's only loosely based in fact and real life situations.

What are the Facts?

The truth is they are oversimplified versions of many different types of massage treatment being shown in a very short clip.

The environment they are showing is more in line with Swedish massage: long strokes and gentle pressure used to lengthen muscles and promote relaxation applied with smooth care and tempo.  Oftentimes; if a therapist specializes in this type of massage or is planning to use it, they will use a lotion or oil that glides more smoothly and reduces friction on the skin. They will bring soft music and table coverings to the site of massage and maybe even include some dim candles and maybe even include some lightly scented oils to help provide the most soothing environment they can for the massage to take place. If the client ends up asleep on the table, unable to carry on a conversation because they are so calm and very relaxed getting up: then the therapist has provided them with exactly what Swedish massage is designed to do. 

Opposite to this sort of experience is the part with elbows digging in and screams of pain coming from the client on the table. This portrayal is a very comedically simplified version of deep tissue massage. While it can be uncomfortable to receive deep tissue massage on tight or sore areas; the goal is to dig deep into the muscle and release pain and tension, not cause more of those things. If the client is screaming in pain, then more harm than good is being done and the muscles are fighting against the therapy because the techniques are not being applied correctly. Can deep tissue be uncomfortable and somewhat painful? Yes, but more often than not it is supposed to be right on the edge of painful only while the release is being given and never to the point a client is screaming or jumping off the table. It should feel like the discomfort or pain has a purpose to it and the muscle should not be tightening so much that it is resisting the touch being given. Deep tissue uses stronger, heavier strokes to penetrate through  more superficial (near the skin) tissues and get down to the muscle fibers further down and help the muscle to let go of tension living in the layers of those fibers in order to fight dysfunction, pain and stiffness caused by muscles that are "stuck" or "over worked" and cannot perform their normal motion in an optimal way. I like to explain this to my clients as releasing pain that was already locked in the muscle so that it leaves the body and hopefully doesn't come back. A client should not expect to sleep through this sort of massage and most likely will be asked several times about their comfort level. After this kind of massage, a client can expect to be a little sore for a day or two afterwards while the body plays catch up with what has been done to it. 

So Now That I Have Explained The Difference, How Do You Know What to Tell Your Therapist?

Be very specific with your goals for your session. Tell your therapist not only what you are feeling in your body, but what you want to have down for it. You have lower back pain all the time and want it gone? Don't just say "I have back pain" tell them where, or better yet show them. Describe what it feels like: sharp, dull, pulling? What actions make it worse or better? Explain what you are looking for from them. Do you want to be able to run/sit/walk/lift your kid without it acting up? Do you just want to be able to find a comfortable position to sleep? The more information you give your therapist about your goals the better they can help you meet them. Tell them if you just want the tension released or if you are looking to detect and eliminate the cause of the discomfort from the root. Have them show you and explain to you during or after the session where they feel the problem is coming from and come up with a plan together to meet your goals. Be an active participant in your care, speak up, ask questions. Whether you just want to relax and enjoy some time to yourself in the quiet while your pain stops for a while or if you are looking to address the pain in a systematic way to find out why it keeps happening and learn things you can do (stretching or lifestyle changes, posture issues  or compensation for current or past injuries) so that it goes away and stays away. 

There Is No Wrong Answer For Your Goals.

It is ok not to want to dig deep into the muscle and try to figure out where the problem is coming from. If you just want to relax and check out from your hectic life for an hour; that's great! There have been many times with my clients that this sort of massage did them more good than trying to dig in deep and rebuild the structure and support systems of the muscle ever could. Sometimes, people just need to have a break and make an hour about them. Just tell your therapist that's what you need. It's also okay to need the deep pressure and pain relief or injury recovery even if it is a little uncomfortable. Your wellness is for you and your body, the massage should be tailored to what you want and need.  You are the one who lives in your body and life and therefore are the only one who knows what you want and need to feel your best. And, if your therapist forgets what your goal is during the session or you feel like what is happening isn't working for you: please please please speak up! Tell them that they need to change their approach, their pressure, their location, whatever. They will not be mad at you, they will appreciate your feedback. They want you to get out of your session everything you want and need. It's about you, not them, make sure it's the way that makes you feelgood and feel satisfied. 

Be An Active Participant In Your Own Health And Enjoy Your Session, You Deserve It!

-From Ame Hinman at Hinman Healing