Avoid the force...
Have you ever had one of those massages that makes you angry? I have, and I've seen others receiving them at various health fairs and business expos. The problem is, the people receiving them won't know they are angry until later, when the over-worked soft tissue has a chance to respond. The tell-tale sign is a lot of motion, usually a pumping action by the so-called therapist. I've seen chiropractors do this as well. I'm not sure if it's an over-zealous care giver trying to impress the onlookers, or just a lack of palpation skills, but if it goes on for more than an introductory few minutes to increase circulation in preparation for real massage, it's useless. The well-intentioned therapist may defend themselves by saying 'something is better than nothing,' but in most cases they would be wrong.
Tissue damage can occur with this approach, and although the side-effects are usually just a little soreness, for someone with compressed vertebrae or other complications the results can be long-term and very debilitating. At the very least, this style of 'treatment' will only prolong the time it takes to relieve the body of the underlying stress.
Luckily, these types of therapists don't last too long in their professions. I know that sounds mean, but I'm thinking of their unsuspecting prospective clientelle when I say this. These therapists usually succumb to their own injuries because they ignored the early, subtle symptoms and muscle tension in their own bodies that they've been ignoring in their clients' bodies! Come to think of it, they also tend to have stubborn personalities as well. They figure they will get what they want if they just keep pushing. Did you know that human fascial tissue has been strength tested at 6000 psi? More force is not the answer. A good massage does require enough force to initiate a response from the tissue, but if the therapist is not listening for that response, the amount of force they apply makes no difference.
Whew! Okay I'm done ranting...for a while.
posted by Tom @ 2:09 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
From what it sounds like, your philosophy is that lighter is better? I'm curious because as someone who has suffered from chronic injuries for years, I've tried multiple massage therapists, neuromuscular therapy, Rolfing, etc. In general, the light, spa type massage seems like it doesn’t do much good. Somewhere between the moderately painful and so painful I'm sweating and bruised seems to make me feel the best on a short term basis. With that said, I’m still injured, so obviously nothing has solved the problem. I’d be curious to know if you have any more thoughts on how one should know whether it’s a beneficial massage or not.
Thanks,
Angie
Thanks for joining the discussion, Angie! First of all, to say simply 'Lighter is better' would be far from my intended message. As I read further into your perspective, I think it is evident that a good massage is hard to put into words. My intent was to explain that some therapists rely on pressure only. Timing and tissue response are a couple of important factors that many therapists miss. I could certainly try to describe what a 'good massage' would be to you, but massage is a tactile experience, and so I invite you to experience my service for yourself! I think if you were to talk to the cyclists I work with as a sponsor of Little Guy Racing, you would find that 'Lighter is better' is not at all what I'm about.
Tom body-of-knowledge.com
Thanks for the clarification Tom. I kind of figured it was a bit more complex than that but just making sure I'm not missing some tell tale sign of a bad massage. Most of the people I've been to seem pretty good; I just have some really elusive and complex injuries that aren't responsive to much of anything.
I'm actually on the LGR team and just haven't been able to make it to one of the massage sessions yet. I'm sure that I will soon though.
Angie
Well said.
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