Massage therapy involves techniques for manipulating soft tissue. A Swedish deep tissue massage combines flowing, vigorous palm strokes with slower, focused movements using your knuckles, fist and elbow. "These techniques require advanced training and a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology," cites MassageTherapy.com. According to the Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, "Massage therapy appears to have few serious risks if it is used appropriately and provided by a trained massage professional." Discuss deep tissue massage with your physician.
Swedish Deep Tissue Massage
Step 1
Your client will lie under the sheet facing up. Fold the sheet to uncover the left arm. Apply oil to your hands and use gliding and kneading movements to massage the arm with gentle to moderate pressure.
Begin at the wrist and stroke toward the shoulder. Increase pressure and use slow, striping strokes with your knuckles on areas of localized muscle tension requiring deeper work. According to MassageTherapy.com, "It is imperative the fingers be extended in a straight line at the joint between the metacarpals and phalanges," when massaging with your knuckles. Cover the left arm with the sheet and massage the right arm using the same techniques.
Step 2
Fold the sheet to expose the left leg. With the leg flat on the table, apply oil to your hands and massage using gliding and kneading stokes with gentle to moderate pressure. Massage from the ankle toward the hip.
For localized muscle tension on the lower leg and thigh, use slow, striping movements with your knuckles and increase your pressure. Do not pressure the shin bone. Cover the left leg and repeat the massage on the front of the right leg.
Step 3
Hold the sheet taught and allow your client to lie face down. Fold the sheet to uncover the left leg. Begin with gliding and kneading hand movements and gentle to moderate pressure.
Massage from the ankle toward the hip. Increase pressure and use slow, striping strokes with your fist, thumb forward, on areas of muscle tension. The fist technique is especially useful on tight muscles of the calf and iliotibial band. Cover the left leg and repeat the massage techniques on the right leg.
Step 4
Move to the head of the massage table and uncover your client's neck and shoulders. Using gliding and kneading palm strokes with light to moderate pressure, massage down the back of the neck and out toward the shoulders.
Do not pressure the neck bones. On tight areas of the muscle, massage with your knuckles and use slow, striping movements with increased pressure. The knuckle movement is useful for working more deeply on the upper trapezius muscle.
Step 5
Fold the sheet down to the hips, uncovering your client's back. Massage from the shoulders toward the hips using gliding and kneading palm strokes with light to moderate pressure. Increase pressure and use your fist or knuckles with slow, striping movements on areas of tightness that need deeper massage.
Use your elbow with even, focused pressure on muscle knots that require the most pressure. These deep tissue techniques are useful around the shoulder blades and low back. Do not pressure the back bones or cause pain to your client. Replace the sheet over your client's back to finish the massage.
Tips and Warnings
- Soothing music during a massage can help your client relax.
- The Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine advises, "massage should not be done in an area of the body with blood clots, fractures, open or healing wounds, skin infections, weakened bones...or where there has been a recent surgery."
Things You'll Need
- Massage table
- Sheet set
- Massage oil
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