Starting out with some swedish massage which uses five styles of long flowing strokes. The five basic strokes are effleurage (sliding or gliding), petrissage (kneading), tapotement (rhythmic tapping), friction (cross fiber) and vibration/shaking.As we gradually work the strokes getting deeper as we go it makes the deep tissue so much more effective.
A well trained massage therapist knows they can not just go right into deep strokes or manipulations as it can cause more damage or pain than you started with. The massage therapist will guide you with breathing techniques and they will use a pain scale to be more effective, do not go over on the pain scale be honest not everyone has the same level when asked make sure you tell your therapist when or if it is to much pain so they can adjust the pressure as the pressure if to much can cause those muscles to tighten up and that is the opposite of what we are striving for with deep tissue, Our goal is to relax or release the muscle.
Deep Tissue can be very effective massage therapy if done with proper training and care. Be sure you know that the massage therapist you choose has training and is qualified in giving Deep Tissue Massage
