3 Keys For A Better Massage
When giving a massage, there are some basic ideas to keep in mind. We'll cover 3 of them here to think about when giving an overall relaxing massage. They are...Speed, Pressure, and Consistency. While these 3 aspects of massage are critical, it's important to note that every body seems to like a different massage. So the most important key is to pay attention to whom your massaging and allow them to be your ultimate guide. After all, it's their body.
Speed
How fast or slow you massage makes a difference. Fast strokes are often used in conjunction with shorter strokes. A fast, rapid, quick stroke is often more appropriate for something like a sports massage. It has a tendency to be more stimulating.
The slower massage techniques are more relaxing and tend to be used with the long sweeping strokes. The slower strokes allow you to feel more of the tissue as it's relaxing. Slower strokes also give the body time to relax the muscles and specifically the fascia (connective tissue that holds everything together). There is more control when using the slower, longer strokes.
Often times no speed is required, just holding. Frequently the best releases (a time when the muscles tissue completely relaxes) is when there is no motion. Just by temporarily pausing your massage and holding, you can simply allow an area to soften on its own regard. This 'wait and hold' massage technique is an extremely powerful technique which is used in the more advanced body therapies, like craniosacral or myofascial release.
Pressure
How much pressure you use depends on when, where and whom you are with. As far as when, areas like endangerment sites (areas which should be avoided or used only with a very light stroke) are obviously areas where you want to use little to no pressure. The bigger muscles and the deeper muscles can generally handle more deeper pressure.
But it's important when massaging to NOT cause pain when you are massaging. Pain is a signal that you're too deep or that you're moving too fast. This is counter productive because it causes the body to tighten up and protect itself. Which really isn't the goal of massage. When the person is grabbing a hold of the table with white knuckles, or wincing or screaming in pain, then those are dramatic signs that let you know it's WAY too much. Go lighter and gradually use more pressure noticing the result. Let the body be the guide, it will show you.
Pressure is a very individual thing. Some people love deep pressure, others like the gentle light massages. Keep an eye on whom you're massaging and they'll let you know either verbally or non-verbally what the right amount of pressure is.
Consistency
Consistency is ultimately what will build trust. If the person receiving the massage knows your style and knows there aren't any surprises then they'll have a tendency to relax more. You can learn how to lull the body into relaxing by being consistent.
Things like working both sides of the body the same way or using similar pressure throughout the massage, or if you are using a fast stroke, then follow it up with a smoothing slower stroke consistently.
For example, let's say you are giving a nice long slow sweeping stoke and then suddenly decide to use an elbow in a tender spot. And you go in too deep, real fast. That lack of consistency can cause an unpredictable massage. The goal is to coax the body into relaxing. If you are going to suddenly switch tempo or depth, then just let the person know ahead of time.
By the way, most people relax much more on their second massage with the same person, because they know what to expect. There aren't any surprises.
Consistency in a massage also means consistent rhythm, consistent pressure and consistent communication. In the future we'll do a whole article just on communication during a massage. The body has it's own language.
There are other components to a great massage, like intent, communication, trust, sensitivity, watching for body signals, etc. All of these are things that simply take time to learn and master, but will be well worth it in the long run.
So vary and play around with speed, pressure and consistency and notice the results. If you'd like to learn more, try our online massage lessons.
Speed
How fast or slow you massage makes a difference. Fast strokes are often used in conjunction with shorter strokes. A fast, rapid, quick stroke is often more appropriate for something like a sports massage. It has a tendency to be more stimulating.
The slower massage techniques are more relaxing and tend to be used with the long sweeping strokes. The slower strokes allow you to feel more of the tissue as it's relaxing. Slower strokes also give the body time to relax the muscles and specifically the fascia (connective tissue that holds everything together). There is more control when using the slower, longer strokes.
Often times no speed is required, just holding. Frequently the best releases (a time when the muscles tissue completely relaxes) is when there is no motion. Just by temporarily pausing your massage and holding, you can simply allow an area to soften on its own regard. This 'wait and hold' massage technique is an extremely powerful technique which is used in the more advanced body therapies, like craniosacral or myofascial release.
Pressure
How much pressure you use depends on when, where and whom you are with. As far as when, areas like endangerment sites (areas which should be avoided or used only with a very light stroke) are obviously areas where you want to use little to no pressure. The bigger muscles and the deeper muscles can generally handle more deeper pressure.
But it's important when massaging to NOT cause pain when you are massaging. Pain is a signal that you're too deep or that you're moving too fast. This is counter productive because it causes the body to tighten up and protect itself. Which really isn't the goal of massage. When the person is grabbing a hold of the table with white knuckles, or wincing or screaming in pain, then those are dramatic signs that let you know it's WAY too much. Go lighter and gradually use more pressure noticing the result. Let the body be the guide, it will show you.
Pressure is a very individual thing. Some people love deep pressure, others like the gentle light massages. Keep an eye on whom you're massaging and they'll let you know either verbally or non-verbally what the right amount of pressure is.
Consistency
Consistency is ultimately what will build trust. If the person receiving the massage knows your style and knows there aren't any surprises then they'll have a tendency to relax more. You can learn how to lull the body into relaxing by being consistent.
Things like working both sides of the body the same way or using similar pressure throughout the massage, or if you are using a fast stroke, then follow it up with a smoothing slower stroke consistently.
For example, let's say you are giving a nice long slow sweeping stoke and then suddenly decide to use an elbow in a tender spot. And you go in too deep, real fast. That lack of consistency can cause an unpredictable massage. The goal is to coax the body into relaxing. If you are going to suddenly switch tempo or depth, then just let the person know ahead of time.
By the way, most people relax much more on their second massage with the same person, because they know what to expect. There aren't any surprises.
Consistency in a massage also means consistent rhythm, consistent pressure and consistent communication. In the future we'll do a whole article just on communication during a massage. The body has it's own language.
There are other components to a great massage, like intent, communication, trust, sensitivity, watching for body signals, etc. All of these are things that simply take time to learn and master, but will be well worth it in the long run.
So vary and play around with speed, pressure and consistency and notice the results. If you'd like to learn more, try our online massage lessons.
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