Deep Tissue and Swedish massage FAQ’s. Find out some frequently asked questions, answers, and differences between Deep Tissue and Swedish massage.
Q. What is the difference between deep tissue and Swedish massage FAQs?
A. Two main techniques in massage therapy is deep tissue massage and Swedish massage. As a massage therapist, there are distinct differences between deep tissue and Swedish massage.
Q. What Is The Deep Tissue Massage?
A. Deep Tissue massage is also known as sports massage. The technique aims to release tension in the deeper layers of muscle fascia and tissue by applying more pressure than Swedish massage. Slow strokes are used in this massage.
Q. When Should You Get A Deep Tissue Massage?
A. Deep Tissue massage basically deals with specific regions of the body. If you are feeling tension and or pain in any part of your body then perform deep tissue massage.
Q. Why Should You Get A Deep Tissue Massage?
A. Deep tissue massage can be crucial in eliminating toxins from your body. When your muscles are tense and stressed then they can block oxygen. A deep tissue massage can help you smoothen the flow of oxygen throughout the body thus improving blood circulation.
Q. Are There Any Specific Conditions I Can Treat With A Deep Tissue Massage?
A. Unlike Swedish massage, deep tissue massage does not focus on the entire body. It is used to relieve tension and stress from specific areas of the body. You can treat injuries, strains, muscle tensions, mobility issues and spasms with deep tissue massage.
Q. Does Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?
A. Yes, deep tissue massage can feel uncomfortable or even hurt. It is important to tell the therapist how you feel because it is important information that the practitioner needs. Serious pain should not occur during the massage.
As a therapist, it is important to understand and gauge the client’s threshold. The practitioner should get feedback through questions to the patient on how certain areas being treated feel.
Most noteworthy, after a visit to the deep tissue massage therapist, one can expect to feel stiff in the treated areas. Furthermore, it is also not unusual to feel tension in worked areas. The pain, however, should not be serious. If it is, you should contact a physician. The same applies if the aches and pains do not disappear after multiple massage sessions.
Of course, it can sometimes be difficult to determine which pain is attributable to the treatment itself. In addition, which pain, depends on the underlying problem that one is encountering.
You might feel a little pain and soreness during or after the massage, however, it will heal quickly. Experts recommending putting ice on sore areas.
Q. Should patients cool the treated areas after a massage?
A. Some deep tissue practitioners recommend that you cool the treated area after the massage. If you choose to cool the area, it is important to do so safely so that you do not cause cold damage.
Since fluid deficiency can increase the risk of muscle cramps, it is important to drink enough water after a treatment. It is also important to get an appropriate amount of vitamins and minerals. Most noteworthy, neither too much nor too little, because deficiency or imbalance in this area can increase the risk of muscle cramps.
Q. Deep Tissue Massage Is Also Called Sports Massage. What If I Don’t Do Sports?
A. Deep Tissue Massage is for everyone and not just for the people who are interested in sports. If you are feeling any strain, muscle tension or spasm due to any reason, you can get this massage to heal. This technique is proven time and time again to solve problems with many clients.
Q. Does Deep Tissue massage focus on more than just connective tissue?
A. First, deep tissue massage is reminiscent of Swedish massage, but focuses on the deepest layers of muscle tissue, tendons and fascia. In addition, fascia is a fibrous connective tissue that is important for keeping muscles in place during muscle contraction.
Sometimes the word connective tissue massage is used as a translation of English’s deep tissue massage. In contrast, it is a tad misleading because deep tissue massage focuses on more than just connective tissue.
Q. Where can I find a Deep Tissue massage therapist in my area?
A. Click HERE to find a Deep Tissue massage practitioner in your area.
Q. How can one find a school that teaches Deep Tissue massage techniques?
A. Click HERE to find a school that teaches Deep Tissue massage in your area.
Q. Should Deep Tissue Massage be Used for Long Term Stiffness?
A. Deep tissue massage is used for the treatment of long-term stiffness, muscle pain, postural problems and wear and tear. Moreover, deep tissue massage is also used as part of rehabilitation after an injury. Examples of areas that can be treated are the back, shoulders, neck and legs.
Above all, the first visit of a deep tissue therapist usually takes longer than subsequent visits. It starts with an examination of the body and review of the problems the client needs targeted.
Likewise, it is important for the practitioner to get information about the client’s health status and any medical treatments. Information about the client can also be important for the therapist to find out in order to recommend an ideal treatment. This is usually first noted in the client intake form, as well as, SOAP notes.
Q. Does Deep Tissue Massage use slower movements than Swedish?
A. As compared to Swedish massage, the practitioner uses slower movements for deep tissue massage. In contrast, the focus is on applying the pressure deeper than in ordinary Swedish massage. The pressure tends to be much harder.
Likewise, with Swedish massage, the therapist can use their hands (including fingertips and knuckles), forearms and elbows.
Q. Is lotion or oil used for Deep Tissue massage?
A. Also, it is not uncommon for the therapist to apply massage oil or skin cream during treatment.
Q. What to Do after a Deep Tissue Massage?
A. After a deep tissue massage, it is good to let the body have a break from hard physical effort. However, mild physical effort is not dangerous or inappropriate. Which part of the body treated also affects the recommendations for physical exertion after a deep tissue massage.
Q. When Should Deep Tissue Massage not be used?
A. As discussed, it is important that the practitioner has discovered through the intake form, the health status of the client. You discover about client’s health status and any medical treatments and update with new information prior to sessions. There are some health conditions and medical treatments that make it unfit to carry out deep tissue massage.
- Osteoporosis can make it unsuitable for deep tissue massage as such hard pressure is applied during treatment.
- Bleeding disorder and similar (permanent or temporary) health conditions may make it unsuitable for deep tissue massage.
Q. Should you be careful of blood clots as a massage therapist?
A. Most noteworthy, deep tissue massage should avoided in people who have a diagnosed blood clot or increased risk of blood clots. Consequently, there is a risk that blood clots begin to move around the body due to the deep tissue massage.
In addition, if you have recently undergone radiation therapy, chemotherapy or surgical treatment, your doctor should be consulted.
Q. What are some more examples where deep tissue massage should not be used?
A.
- Areas where the skin is not healthy. This may include skin infections, open wounds, or wounds that have not healed completely.
- Skin areas with bruises.
- A hernia or where a hernia surgery was performed.
- Areas where you have recently had a fracture.
- Those who are pregnant unless directed by a physician.
- Burn patients or those who have had severe burn trauma.
- Those who have skin tumors.
Q. What Is A Swedish Massage?
A. Swedish Massage is considered as the most effective massage technique in the world. Above all, it focuses on the entire body and can be very helpful in releasing stress and improving blood flow.
Q. How Does Swedish Massage Work?
A. With Swedish massage, the muscles are rubbed with long strokes gliding in the direction of blood circulation. Moreover, Swedish massage is perfect for improving blood and oxygen circulation throughout the body.
Q. Is Swedish Massage Okay For Beginner Clients?
A. Swedish is a perfect massage method and technique for first timers. If you have never had a massage performed on you then you should start with the Swedish massage.
Q. If you Spend A Lot Of Time Sitting at Work, what type of Massage should you get?
A. People who spend hours working sitting in a chair should get a Swedish massage at least once every 2 to 3 weeks. Likewise, Swedish massage is used to cure a lot of other conditions like spasms, muscle tensions, stress and a lot more.
Q. Does Swedish Massage Hurt?
A. Swedish massage is somewhat similar to Deep Tissue Massage, however, in Swedish massage, less pressure is exerted on the body. Furthermore, Swedish massage is less painful.
Q. Is Swedish is the Most Common and Standard Form of Massage?
A. Swedish massage is considered in all aspects the “base” of massage techniques that includes different types of movements. Its purpose is psychophysical relaxation and the well-being of the client. In addition, it is derived from Western concepts of anatomy and physiology.
Swedish massage includes a set of basic techniques that are also a large part of the basis for any massage training. This is a massage that has six types of classic movements that should be mastered to give a good Swedish massage.
Q. What are some Swedish Massage Techniques and Movements?
A.
- Effleurage – is the technique that most people probably associate to massage in general and, more specifically, to Swedish. Movements are wide that progressively touch and improve the surface of various areas of the body to improve the connection.
- Friction – these are decisive and vigorous circulatory movements whose purpose is to warm up the area being treated. Thus, relaxing the muscles and releasing them from the rigidity.
- Petrissage – consists in the manipulation of the muscles through movements similar to kneading. Moreover, this technique is not specific to any particular area of the body, but through the relaxation of the muscles. This allows the action of the massage to penetrate more deeply.
- Tapotement– this technique consists in giving small blows that contribute energy to the part of the body treated. Consequently, at the same time, the area is released from tension and stress. To perform these particular gestures, the therapist uses the cut of the hands, closed, or the cupped hands. In addition, the movements are rhythmic and in rapid sequence.
- Vibration: consists of the rapid tremor and vibration of the muscles. Likewise, this vibration is performed with the part of the hand next to the wrist, the cut of the hand. The movement consists of repeated passages, back and forth, to relax the muscles of a particular area of the body.
- Traction – the pulling of arms, legs and, sometimes, even the client’s head. This is a kind of passive stretching that allows the lengthening of the muscles. This technique is performed during the final part of the massage session, since it is only possible when the muscles are relaxed and free of tension.
Q. What are Some Ways to give a Full Swedish Massage?
A. To do the Swedish massage you will need a table or massage table and a little oil to make better movements. Most noteworthy, to perform true Swedish massage, the client should lay on a flat surface, i.e., a professional massage table. Above all, the client should be in a relaxed state for the session. In contrast, deep tissue sessions may use a chair to focus on specific areas such as the back.
A Swedish massage movement is directed according to the venous blood flow (which returns to the heart). Such movements stimulate the correct blood circulation. The movements can be slow and delicate or, on the contrary, vigorous and intense. Hence, everything depends on the personal style of the therapist, and of course, the client on the objectives. To perform these movements, mainly hands, forearms and elbows are used by the therapist.
Q. Where can I find a Swedish massage therapist in my area?
A. Click HERE to find a Deep Tissue massage practitioner in your area.
Q. How can one find a school that has a Swedish massage program?
A. Click HERE to find a school that teaches Swedish massage in your area.
Q. How should you start the Swedish massage session?
A. The practitioner starts the session by asking questions to both existing and new clients. Has anything changed physically to the client’s body? Any tension and pain? Any restriction of movement? Are they looking to treat pain or just need a good relaxing massage? Both Swedish and Deep tissue can handle the situation.
The main objective of Swedish massage is general relaxation and reduction of muscle rigidity. In addition, further benefits include stimulation of circulation, pain relief, tissue oxygenation, elimination of toxins and improvement of muscle tone.
First of all, the therapist usually start the session with the client lying on their stomach. Start by discovering one leg and applying the oil. Always use the pressure that travels from the foot to the hip. Tap with both hands and apply more pressure when the person requests it. You can use a hand movement on the hand or a kneading motion. You can use the elbows, the heel of the hand, and the tips of the fingers or the fists. You can also touch or tap the legs.
Q. Is there a specific way to perform a Swedish massage?
A. Although all therapist use their own judgement and motions when performing Swedish massage there is no specific techniques that should be followed. However, avoid putting pressure on the back of the knee and remember to always go from the foot to the hip and you will be safe.
Never apply pressure on the arms or legs that travel from the body to the hands or feet. Bend the leg in the knee and work with a foot massage. Knead gently with your thumbs on the arch and heel. Trace around the ball of the foot, the ankle and between the fingers. Pinch your fingers lightly between them. Move the foot in a circle around the ankle and flex the foot completely towards the calf and move it away.
Also, when you have done both legs and feet, cover the person and rub the legs a couple of times more on the sheet. This provides a closure for the lower half of the body and a connection as it moves towards the back. Furthermore, rub with both hands the large muscles on each side of the spine to the hips, then slide up along the sides and up the neck.
If you wish, you can repeat this simple movement or you can try other things. Knead the large muscles in the upper part of the shoulders. Work with your thumbs, palms or knuckles along both sides of the spine. Just do not apply pressure directly on the spine. Trace around the shoulder blades with your fingers. Use a hand on the hand or thumb over the movement of the thumb on the lower back.
Q. Should a massage therapist move from the feet to the hips?
A. In addition, once you have turned the client around, work back on the front of the legs with a little oil. Use the same movements as in the back of the legs. Do not forget to move in the direction from the feet to the hips and not the other way around. Trace or knead gently around the kneecaps. Rub the part where the ankle attaches to the top of the foot with the thumbs. Go over and between the muscles of the upper part of the foot and rub the fingers again. Moreover, you can also bend and flex your fingers.
Finally, cover the legs and move to the arms. Raise the arm and rub gently with your entire hand toward the shoulder. You can rub the shoulder again now, or even reach under the client and rub between the shoulder blade and the spine. Massage the hands just like you did with the feet.
Q. What are some ways to perform massage on the head?
A. For instance, reach under the person’s neck and shoulders with the fingers and slide them towards the head. Do the same with a movement of the hand on the hand. You can flex the neck to both sides and turn the head in all its range of motion. Gently rub the entire scalp with the tips of your fingers in a motion as if applying shampoo.
For many people this is the best part. Of note, be careful not get oil in the hair. You can also massage the face, also without oil, rubbing the cheeks in a movement up towards the forehead. Trace gently over the forehead and eyebrows and rub the temples in circles.
Q. What is the ultimate goal of Deep Tissue and Swedish massage: FAQs?
Q. Deep tissue and Swedish massage is associated with better performance.
Likewise, there are many professional massage programs, videos, and blogs that teach the difference between Deep Tissue massage and Swedish massage techniques.