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Why are some clients sore after a Deep Tissue Massage and others are not?
I've been practicing Massage for about a year now. During the Massage Program I completed, we learned Deep Tissue and even practiced it on each other. I always tried to work with one person in particular because she was so strong and did amazing DT work. There were times when I felt as though the pressure was too much, but I never told her to let up and I never developed any soreness - of course, at this point, we were practicing on each other 3-4 times a week, meaning I was getting several Massages each week for several months.
In the past year, since finishing the program and working on my own, I've come across a lot of different levels of soreness after DT work. I have some clients who come in, haven't had a Massage in a couple of years, receive a DT Massage (and I know I'm strong based on client feedback) and have NO soreness. I have other clients who come in and are extremely sore after their first DT Massage, and then I have OTHER clients who are not sore after their first couple of DT Massages, but become sore after their third, fourth or fifth DT Massage. I've even put together a spreadsheet looking for any sort of consistency in what causes the soreness, but I have yet to come across any patterns.
Two other factors - I ALWAYS do Trigger Point work when I do DT, and I try to ensure that I work slowly - starting superficially and working deeper.
Does anyone know or have a theory on why some clients develop soreness, why some never do, and why some develop it later after several treatments?
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Gordon J. Wallis on
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Whats interesting is that its not an issue for me any more? And Im not sure exactly why...Because in the past, it was an issue..But over the years that has happened less and less...And now, it just doesn't happen...Besides pressure.. I think there is a time factor that you have to take into account as to if a client is sore after a massage or not...Now I can remove pain from trigger points in a half hour setting which use to take me days or even weeks to accomplish. If I ever could at all...Ive become very efficient with my work..And I think thats the reason its not an issue for me anymore..I know that learning never stops..and I know that I can learn from everyone in here, regardless of their experience or mine...But Im working at a much higher level now..I'm efficient. And that seems to have eliminated that issue. We all have our own path..But I do believe that for most experienced therapists that have been working for 20, 25, years or more..It's a none issue.
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Permalink Reply by Gary W Addis, LMT on
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A good post, Wilson. Thank you.
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Permalink Reply by Therese Schwartz on
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I agree Gary! Wilson has posted some good stuff on one of my threads too. It's so good to know more about the body and how to help people!
Gordon, I think you are right. I've only been doing this for 4 years so I don't have the experience that you do - but I can see how that much experience would really help in developing a very educated feel for what people need. Mine is steadily growing even with the limited years I've been doing this!
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As a side note...Later today I have a client thats schedualled for a Two Hour Deep Tissue Massage..lol....Ive never seen her before. I work in a spa, and a lot of times they are massage connoisseurs that are just tired of paying good money for a massage that's too soft...If they are in pain. They seem to think longer and deeper is better(Wrong)... If they are hurting....After I determine where the trigger points are(usually the case). It will be over with quickly... At any rate.. They wont suffer any post massage soreness. Its always interesting... lol
Gordon J. Wallis said:Whats interesting is that its not an issue for me any more? And Im not sure exactly why...Because in the past, it was an issue..But over the years that has happened less and less...And now, it just doesn't happen...Besides pressure.. I think there is a time factor that you have to take into account as to if a client is sore after a massage or not...Now I can remove pain from trigger points in a half hour setting which use to take me days or even weeks to accomplish. If I ever could at all...Ive become very efficient with my work..And I think thats the reason its not an issue for me anymore..I know that learning never stops..and I know that I can learn from everyone in here, regardless of their experience or mine...But Im working at a much higher level now..I'm efficient. And that seems to have eliminated that issue. We all have our own path..But I do believe that for most experienced therapists that have been working for 20, 25, years or more..It's a none issue.
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baishi, are you a bonfied massage therapist? Your website appears to be promoting "love lotion" and/or prostitution disguised as massage.
If I am out of line here, I'm sure moderators will so inform me. In the meantime, I don't think your advertising is welcome here.
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I didn't feel good about the massage at all..She told me that she was very experienced with massage.. But I couldn't relate to what she was telling me about her body...She told me that she had lots of knots , but she didn't. Where she said she had knots, she wasn't sore at all. It was a long two hours.. lol .. Against my better judgement I worked almost the entire time on her back, according to her demands.. After saying in here that I don't make people sore anymore. I hope I'm right... Anyway, she seemed happy enough and tipped well.. Said that she would see me again next time she is in town this coming February.
Gordon J. Wallis said:As a side note...Later today I have a client thats schedualled for a Two Hour Deep Tissue Massage..lol....Ive never seen her before. I work in a spa, and a lot of times they are massage connoisseurs that are just tired of paying good money for a massage that's too soft...If they are in pain. They seem to think longer and deeper is better(Wrong)... If they are hurting....After I determine where the trigger points are(usually the case). It will be over with quickly... At any rate.. They wont suffer any post massage soreness. Its always interesting... lol
Gordon J. Wallis said:Whats interesting is that its not an issue for me any more? And Im not sure exactly why...Because in the past, it was an issue..But over the years that has happened less and less...And now, it just doesn't happen...Besides pressure.. I think there is a time factor that you have to take into account as to if a client is sore after a massage or not...Now I can remove pain from trigger points in a half hour setting which use to take me days or even weeks to accomplish. If I ever could at all...Ive become very efficient with my work..And I think thats the reason its not an issue for me anymore..I know that learning never stops..and I know that I can learn from everyone in here, regardless of their experience or mine...But Im working at a much higher level now..I'm efficient. And that seems to have eliminated that issue. We all have our own path..But I do believe that for most experienced therapists that have been working for 20, 25, years or more..It's a none issue.
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You're right Gary...She is advertising sex. There is plenty of room for that on the internet.. Doesn't belong here though.
Gary W Addis said:baishi, are you a bonfied massage therapist? Your website appears to be promoting "love lotion" and/or prostitution disguised as massage.
If I am out of line here, I'm sure moderators will so inform me. In the meantime, I don't think your advertising is welcome here.
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Maybe it was psychological guarding--tension created by her mind, and not TPs?
Gordon J. Wallis said:I didn't feel good about the massage at all..She told me that she was very experienced with massage.. But I couldn't relate to what she was telling me about her body...She told me that she had lots of knots , but she didn't. Where she said she had knots, she wasn't sore at all. It was a long two hours.. lol .. Against my better judgement I worked almost the entire time on her back, according to her demands.. After saying in here that I don't make people sore anymore. I hope I'm right... Anyway, she seemed happy enough and tipped well.. Said that she would see me again next time she is in town this coming February.
Gordon J. Wallis said:As a side note...Later today I have a client thats schedualled for a Two Hour Deep Tissue Massage..lol....Ive never seen her before. I work in a spa, and a lot of times they are massage connoisseurs that are just tired of paying good money for a massage that's too soft...If they are in pain. They seem to think longer and deeper is better(Wrong)... If they are hurting....After I determine where the trigger points are(usually the case). It will be over with quickly... At any rate.. They wont suffer any post massage soreness. Its always interesting... lol
Gordon J. Wallis said:Whats interesting is that its not an issue for me any more? And Im not sure exactly why...Because in the past, it was an issue..But over the years that has happened less and less...And now, it just doesn't happen...Besides pressure.. I think there is a time factor that you have to take into account as to if a client is sore after a massage or not...Now I can remove pain from trigger points in a half hour setting which use to take me days or even weeks to accomplish. If I ever could at all...Ive become very efficient with my work..And I think thats the reason its not an issue for me anymore..I know that learning never stops..and I know that I can learn from everyone in here, regardless of their experience or mine...But Im working at a much higher level now..I'm efficient. And that seems to have eliminated that issue. We all have our own path..But I do believe that for most experienced therapists that have been working for 20, 25, years or more..It's a none issue.
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You know, I'm realist enough to know that where there is a market there will be a seller. It ought to be legalized and controlled and contained. They ought to be shot 700 times in the tush with a BB gun for dirtying the name of massage therapy.
Gordon J. Wallis said:You're right Gary...She is advertising sex. There is plenty of room for that on the internet.. Doesn't belong here though.
Gary W Addis said:baishi, are you a bonfied massage therapist? Your website appears to be promoting "love lotion" and/or prostitution disguised as massage.
If I am out of line here, I'm sure moderators will so inform me. In the meantime, I don't think your advertising is welcome here.
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Well she did have a lot of that type of tension.. I call it emotional tension...Like when I lifted her neck.. She would hold it up for me, instead of letting it rest in my hands...There are massage styles that deal specifically with that. But Im not into it.. Ive focused on trigger points for the most part. Massage is a HUGE field...Im good at certain aspects of it only.. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trager_Approach Check that link out. Hmm,,it doesnt really mention emotional tension...But that type of work, works well for people with emotional tension..From what Ive been told.
Gary W Addis said:Maybe it was psychological guarding--tension created by her mind, and not TPs?
Gordon J. Wallis said:I didn't feel good about the massage at all..She told me that she was very experienced with massage.. But I couldn't relate to what she was telling me about her body...She told me that she had lots of knots , but she didn't. Where she said she had knots, she wasn't sore at all. It was a long two hours.. lol .. Against my better judgement I worked almost the entire time on her back, according to her demands.. After saying in here that I don't make people sore anymore. I hope I'm right... Anyway, she seemed happy enough and tipped well.. Said that she would see me again next time she is in town this coming February.
Gordon J. Wallis said:As a side note...Later today I have a client thats schedualled for a Two Hour Deep Tissue Massage..lol....Ive never seen her before. I work in a spa, and a lot of times they are massage connoisseurs that are just tired of paying good money for a massage that's too soft...If they are in pain. They seem to think longer and deeper is better(Wrong)... If they are hurting....After I determine where the trigger points are(usually the case). It will be over with quickly... At any rate.. They wont suffer any post massage soreness. Its always interesting... lol
Gordon J. Wallis said:Whats interesting is that its not an issue for me any more? And Im not sure exactly why...Because in the past, it was an issue..But over the years that has happened less and less...And now, it just doesn't happen...Besides pressure.. I think there is a time factor that you have to take into account as to if a client is sore after a massage or not...Now I can remove pain from trigger points in a half hour setting which use to take me days or even weeks to accomplish. If I ever could at all...Ive become very efficient with my work..And I think thats the reason its not an issue for me anymore..I know that learning never stops..and I know that I can learn from everyone in here, regardless of their experience or mine...But Im working at a much higher level now..I'm efficient. And that seems to have eliminated that issue. We all have our own path..But I do believe that for most experienced therapists that have been working for 20, 25, years or more..It's a none issue.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Reynolds on
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I realize you posted this question sometime back. But thought I would see if I could help. There are many factors that could be related to the soreness after or during DT massage, even on clients that have never experience soreness before.(1). Did the clients drink plenty of water before and after the massage. Muscles that are not properly hydrated are not as pliable as muscles that are properly hydrated. Also the clients (and a lot do not) follow your after care instructions of drinking plenty of water to flush the toxins out of the system.(2)Sometimes after massage I have many clients tell me that they always go home and take a nice hot bath after their massage. This can be beneficial in helping muscles to relax even further. However if there is any inflammation in the tissue after the massage, a hot bath increases blood flow to the area and will increase this inflammation thereby causing muscle soreness (3) I received many DT massage from the same therapist for over a year and still do. However now I don't require as much pressure as when she first started. It took many sessions and her being soaked in sweat from working hard to get deep enough. Once she was able to break thru the top concrete layer, she found the muscles that were the underlying cause of my problems and did not require as much pressure as initially needed to break thru the top layer.
I do have some clients that come to me week after week and they want all 200 lbs of my elbow in their shoulder and would not pay for anything less. I have others that we vary between deep tissue and firm relaxation/stretching. I make it a point to speak with my clients before and after the massage and make notes of any changes made in their treatments from one session to the next. I'm sure you do this as well. Especially seeing the organization to detail that you put into trying to get to the root of the question you asked. I wish you a great career. You sound like a great therapist!
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