Here’s the foundation to staying out of pain when doing massage: massage options (as in different ways to get the job done).

I’m not talking about advanced massage techniques here.

I’m talking about options for pressing, gliding, squeezing, stretching and vibrating soft tissue without causing yourself pain.

For example, say you were taught to use your thumb to press on tight areas. Six months into massage you get pretty good with your thumb and it becomes waaaay comfortable to do, right?

But guess what happens in a year?

Your thumb hurts (trust me).

Now what?

Well, if you continue to be a one-trick-pony you’ll soon be talking about massage like this: “Back in the day, when I did massage….”

Here’s an alternative to burning out your thumb(s): You find other options to pressing with your thumb, like two thumbs barred together, one thumb over a thumb, knuckle(s), knuckle and a thumb together, massage tools (like a T-bar, L-bar, My Precious, TheraPress, Effleurage T-bar, JackNobber II, Pointer) and the list goes on.

But I need to be honest, having more massage options is not easy to do.

In fact, here’s what’s probably going to happen. You’ll be gung-ho about finding more massage options.  Then you’ll do this.

Nothing.

No judgment here.

I was the king of doing nothing when it came to acquiring more massage options.

For one, I didn’t know what to try. And, two, I was afraid to try anything.

Here’s how I changed that.

To address “what to try” I broke down massage options into three categories: 1. Pressing, 2. Gliding, 3. Squeezing. Then I started experimenting.

To get you started experimenting, I’m going to offer an alternative option to the traditional way of pressing, gliding and squeezing. Think of my suggestions as fodder to fuel your experimentation so that you can come up with your own strategies and techniques that work best for you.

Pressing Option

Instead of pressing with your thumbs use a massage tool. Here’s an example of what I mean:

Gliding Option

Instead of gliding with your palms or forearms, try fists.

Squeezing Option

Instead of squeezing with one hand, do a two-handed press.

So, go ahead try one…I’ll wait…anytime…just pick up that massage tool…or put your fists down on that back…or press that trap between your knuckle and thumb…hmm…not happening, is it?

I know, you’re afraid. 

I was, too–because a mistake would mess up my flow.

Here’s how my brain played out me interrupting the flow of the massage: I’m massaging along…I find a tight spot…I pick up the massage tool and jab it into the tight spot and the client screams, then gives me a bad review on Yelp…I lose my confidence, close my office and start hording cats…at least, they won’t know how crappy of a massage therapist I once was…

Flow is everything to a relaxation massage, right? Mess up the flow and you mess up the massage.

But is that really true?

I mean, yeah if you’re doing a herky-jerky massage, absolutely. But if you have a couple of hiccups, no way.

You can always get back in the flow AND you can practically avoid any flow interruptions while gaining more massage options by first (1) working on friends and colleagues, (2) working on a client who you can get feedback from without disrupting the massage, (3) initially trying out the new technique for a very short period of time (seconds). 

Okay, we got flow under control, what else do you need to know?

How about how many massage options do you need?

More than when you started massage.

More than 6 months ago.

More than a month ago.

In other words, the “more” should never stop.

The more massage options you have, the less likely you are to overuse a joint or muscle. And the more prepared you’ll be to deal with adversity, like an injury or challenge.

How to Deliver Deep Pressure Without Hurting Yourself

Don’t over-think massage options.

Try some of the options that I’ve suggested and get your brain churning.

If you need more help, email me. I’m here to help:-)

I also have a book and online, home-study classes.