Deep Tissue

May 18, 2018

Deep Tissue is somewhat of a sore subject with me.  All punning aside, there are rare moments when I recommend that someone receives deep tissue bodywork.  “But it feels so good”,  replies nearly every client who likes this form of bodywork.  I will agree.  If you like the feel of deep tissue, it is awesome.  Hewever, with most, if not all, of these clients, they need an entirely different form of bodywork - one that will actually address the issue as to why they need bodywork in the first place.  Unfortunately, deep tissue will not give them lasting results.

Clients who show up with pain, limited range of motion, stiffness and soreness, generally have something else going on that most likely involves the fascial tisure.  Fascia, in a nutshell, is incredibly strong connective tissue that is abundant in your body.  It’s literally everywhere: head to toe, just under the surface to deep within the body.  What is also unique about fascia is that one is connected throughout the body by the fascial web. Since fascia is so strong, it has a built in defense mechanism.  If it perceives that it will be injured (stretched to forcefully, for example), it will shut down.  Because of this, massage and deep tissue have very little impact on changing the fascia structure.  Enter in Myofascial Release (MFR).  I typically defined MFR to my first time clients as the complete opposite of massage/deep tissue but with far better results. A question I often ask them is would they rather be pain free for a few hours or for a longer period of time?  The answer is sort of a no-brainer.  Of course they would like to be pain free for a longer period of time.

Some clients fall head over heels in love with what they experience through MFR while a small number “just want to lay there and relax and feel good for the moment (just massage me...it feels better).  Again, we revisit what their goals are for the session (be pain free, have greater range of motion, less stiffness, etc)...but ultimately the decision is up to the client.

So, I ask of you, what are your goals?  Do you want to feel good for the moment or do you really want to work at living pain free, having a greater range of motion, and less stiffness?  The choice is yours to make. Having been a massage therapy for 10 years and an MFR therapist for over three years, I can tell you that I have seen almost unbelievable results with MFR that do not come close to equalling anything from the massage world.  It is literally my “go to” therapy and is highly recommended for my athletes.

So, don’t be surprised if you show up seeking deep tissue and I have a little talk about the benefits of MFR over deep tissue.  I want the best for you...but, alas, the ultimate decision is yours.

Personalized Therapy Sessions

First, and foremost, as an exercise physiologist, educator and coach, my role has always been to help people to become the healthiest versions of themselves.  This means helping each person figure out what this means and helping them strive toward that goal.

This is no different in my role as a bodyworker.  When you walk in my studio door, you will be asked what your goal is for the session.  Sometimes the goals are short term, however, most have long term implications.  Following your session, we will check in as to how that goal was met and what this means for the future in terms of bodywork.  Clients also have access to me post sessions in the event they have questions - a perk most therapist avoid.

Most therapists would use this opportunity to book you right away for your next session or perhaps sell you a series of sessions.  This is where my approach is different.  I want you to know how your body feels and realize when it is ready for more bodywork (and before the need is great).  Being in tune with your body is key and is a sense that many people work hard to not feel.  I also respect where people are at financially.  Most people do not have discretionary money sitting around to be spent and that becomes even more challenging as people retire.  As we discuss your long term goals, we will keep all of this in mind and the decision will be up to you.  

What this boils down to is that each session is specific to you rather than a cookie cutter approach to bodywork.

That's it.  Have a great day!

Jen

The power of bodywork

Trauma.

No one wants to experience trauma, however, as we progress through life, it seems inevitable. As I think back throughout my life, I can recall numerous traumatic events - some worse than others: untimely deaths, devastating tornadoes (yes, more than one).  Experiencing trauma often causes us to detach from our emotions as we exist in a "fight or flight" response.  Over time, these experiences can result in physical pain.

My path to bodywork came as a result of pain induced from a traumatic event.  I realized, while sitting on a couch on an exposed subfloor of my brother's house that was annihilated by an F5 tornado, that I was in excruciating pain.  I was also aware enough to note that this pain was most likely a result of the emotion of this tragedy. The first thing I did upon returning home was to schedule a massage.  Pain eliminated.  It wasn't long until this correlation (emotion, pain, relief through massage) prompted me to pursue massage therapy school.

After seven years of practicing massage therapy, I found my way to a John F. Barnes' seminar series on Myofascial Release.  Barnes' work demonstrates that traumatic events cause individuals to detach from emotion.  Emotion then is stored in the gelatinous structure in the fascia leading to restrictions, and eventually, pain.  Myofascial Release works to release these restrictions allowing for a reduction or elimination of pain. It is common for clients to experience emotion as the releases are occurring.  This work is amazing and it is quickly becoming 95% of what I do in bodywork.

One month ago, tragedy struck my former hometown in Kansas.  The event that took place in this town was traumatic on so many different levels and it will take time for healing to occur.