Structuring a Massage
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Each massage therapist has their own way of approaching the work. If you have three deep tissue massages with three different therapists, you’re going to have three distinct experiences. Common threads will link these sessions together: targeted, detailed work to your areas of focus; firmer pressure; etc. But each massage will feel notably different - because filling the sixty or ninety minutes of a session is more than applying a uniform list of techniques until the clock runs out.
Recently, a client asked one of our therapists how she determined what to do “next” in the massage. It’s a great question because it probes how massage therapists craft a session. We decided to also ask the team of Mantis therapists, curious to hear what everyone’s answers would have in common, and where they would differ.
Universally, everyone answered acknowledging the client’s goals for the session. Why has the client come in for a massage, and how are they feeling in their bodies today? This information lays the foundation for our session. Note to clients who struggle to articulate their goals for the massage: take a moment to run a mental body scan - what do you notice? Is there a pain in your shoulder? Stiffness in your low back? Does your neck turn more easily to one side than the other? Or perhaps what you notice is a lot of mental and emotional cacophony - that’s also useful information for us!
“The broadest answer I can give,” Cori said, “Is when I’m applying a stroke I’m paying attention to not only the muscles under my hand, but how the rest of the body moves around and/or because of my pressure. If those structures feel restricted, we go there next.” You know the bodywork cliche that says everything’s connected - that’s what Cori’s speaking to. If we’re working the left shoulder and notice the right hip isn’t moving as easily, that warrants some investigation.
Mattie incorporates postural and range of motion assessment in her sessions. “I balance the concerns they brought up while thinking about the biomechanics of where that stress came from, and then work related muscle groups.” If you’re having shoulder pain, and Mattie notices your thoracic rotation is restricted, she may address your shoulder while working your back and rib cage.
Abbey and Megan also mentioned a desire for variety. “It’s very much based on what they asked for, what I feel like doing, and what I’m feeling from their body,” Abbey said, “I’ve gotta keep it fresh.” Megan added, “If I’m seeing a regular client for a chronic issue, or I’ve had several clients with a similar concern, I’m asking myself how else I can work these structures. I can’t just rely on the same techniques.”
As you can see, we all work differently. The starting point is the same, however: what are the client’s goals for the massage today? There is no massage to give without a client on the table, afterall. We appreciate your trust in us!
