This presentation was developed to get to the heart and soul of "Deep Tissue Massage." Theory, Philosophy, and Practice.

2. TO

3. DEEP
TISSUE
MASSAGE

5. “If a carpenter is only as good as his tools
and how he uses them,
then the same can be applied to a
massage therapist”

6. “The physician must be experienced in many things… but
assuredly also in rubbing…”
…”Rubbing can bind a joint that is too loose and loosen a joint
that is too rigid.”

7.  START LOOKING AT THE BODY PHYSIOLOGICALLY
INSTEAD OF ANATOMICALLY.
 UNSEQUENCE YOUR SEQUENCE.
 DEFINE AND REFINE YOUR INTENTION
(COMPREHENSIVE CARE).
 EXPAND YOUR STROKE(S) VOCABULARY.
 APPLICATION OF STROKES- RULES OF DTM.
 LOOK AT DYSFUNCTIONS OF OUR SOFT TISSUE.

9. The effectiveness of any massage depends not on the
number of techniques used but on their application…
“Massage is a powerful stimulus to the nervous system. It is important to know what
response you are trying to elicit in your clients and apply the appropriate stimulus. To
obtain a desired response, you must apply the correct stimulus, at the correct rate and
level of pressure”. (Ralph R. Stephens)

13.  RIGID
 HARD
 STUCK
 STIFF
 INFLEXIBLE
 COMPRESSED
 DECONDITIONED TISSUE- feels mushy because no water

14.  SOFT
 PLIABLE
 FLEXIBLE
 BOUYANT
 RESILIENT
 ADAPTABLE
 HEALTHY TISSUE- is pliable (has give) is resilient (springs
back)

15. Myth #1:
NO PAIN, NO GAIN

17. Myth #2
Deep Pressure with effleurage is Deep
Tissue Massage.

19. Myth #3
Using just my elbows and forearms for
deep tissue is good enough.

20. Myth #4
Deep Tissue Massage hurts!!

22.  Used as an assessment tool, Our DT palpating skills
can provide information about the tissue:
 4T’s of palpating:
 TEMPERATURE
 TEXTURE
 TENDERNESS
 TONE

24.  BREAK UP OF NEUROLOGICAL HOLDING
PATTERNS.
 INCREASE OF INTER TISSUE MOBILITY
 INCREASE IN PAIN FREE FUNCTIONAL ROM.
 RELEASE OF CHRONICALLY SHORTENED
MUSCLES.

25.  FACILITATE NUTRIENT EXCHANGE.
 POSITIVE EFFECT ON FLUIDS.
 ASSESS!!!
 REMOVAL OF METABOLIC WASTE.
 RELEASING HYPERTONICITY.
 ELONGATING OF MUSCLE FIBERS.

26. The ultimate goal of all Deep Tissue massage is to
reestablish proper balance of muscular force around the
skeleton. All to relieve unhealthy conditions of muscle
tissues.
This is achieved by the use of:
<Slow methodical strokes>
<Deep Pressure>
<Stretching>

30.  Begin strokes parallel to muscle fibers -fluid
movement.
 Strokes applied across muscle fibers –therapeutic
affect.
 To relax/release a muscle- work on the attachment,
then belly, then attachment.
 To stimulate a muscle- work both attachments, then
belly.

32. 1. RELAXATION OF NERVOUS SYSTEM.
2. STIMULATION OF FLUID FLOW.
3. MOBILIZATION OF SUPERFICIAL
TISSUE.
4. PLIABILITY OF DEEPER LAYERS.
5. ELONGATION OF MUSCLE FIBERS.

33.  WORKING MUSCLES
 RELIEVING TENSION
 REDUCING INFLAMMATION
 DECREASING ADHESIONS
 STRETCHING FASCIA
 DEACTIVATING TP’S
 REALIGNING SCAR TISSUE
 HYDRATING SOFT TISSUE

35.  BRUISING
 DIZZINESS
 SORENESS
 FEVER LIKE SYMPTOMS