HELP! Deep Tissue Issue lol

[agent 007]

Ok people so i went to school in charlotte, nc "Southeastern School of Neuromuscular and Massage therapy" Very good reputation here in charlotte. (Maybe cuz its the only massage school here? lol) anyway we were strictly taught swedish and neuromuscular .. the end. Pretty boring yes i know. When we had clinical internship we were ONLY allowed to do a full body swedish relaxation massage. Now that im interviewing im being asked for full body deep tissue as a must ... and we never did that! What the hell am i suppsoed to do now? Not get a job ? Fake my way through it? Theres no classes anywhere in the area any time soon and i kinda need to get my crap together asap. I have a THIRD interview with the same spa tomorrow and they want strictly 70 minute deep tissue. Ok seriously? what do i do ?
I know im getting annoying with all the questions .. geez im so stressed lol thank you guys so much for your continued support!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Ok, you can do a few things, none of them though are to fake it.
If you had a client who asked you for something in whichyou were not trained you would refer them out right??
You could be upfront with them and tell them that you are not trained in Deep Tissue. You could call up your old instructor and tell them what is up. Maybe you can have a few sessions with them.
Were you taught "deep tissue" under another name?..myo?
Slow drags, broad spreading, heel of the hand/soft fist/elbow??
Get a deep tissue/myofascial massage, view some DVD's.
Yes, it's easy for someone on the other end of a computer to say, pass on this one...please do not think that I am dissmissing it like that.
I really wouldn't though, practice anything for which you aren't trained.

Robyn

 

[Hank Hill]

Just had to giggle ...looking at the title of the post. My company name is in it.

lol

Robyn

 

[THEFUNGI]

I am assuming that you did learn the entire body for deep tissue but in pieces, for localized treatment only. Since that is what my school did for their training, we didn't have a routine for dt, but our hands on final was a full body dt! Which I proceeded to do an UH OH!!! when I walked into class and my professor announced it. So I would follow the same pattern that you would for your swedish routine... neck, arms, legs, feet - flip - back of legs and back... or whatever you do and keep your eyes on the clock.

When I started working in the real world... I started telling people that I don't do a full body dt that I do it only locally... this was a big mistake, since the lay person thinks that dt is "deep pressure" full body, which at the time my pressure wasn't as deep as it is now because I had to have a higher table height.

If you have someone that you can work tonight or tomorrow before the interview to just go over things to calm your nerves, I would do so... and if not just review your deep tissue notes and make sure you have a routine in your head of what you are planning on doing. Otherwise just let your hands be your guide, relax and work what you feel they need work on.

 

[Deans]

Thanks guys. I do plan on getting videos actually my Art Riggs book is supposed to be delivered today. But i did call my school and spoke to the director this morning and she told me "Well hunny deep tissue is just a deep swedish massage which you are more than capable of doing" hmm? I did make it clear to this woman that i was not trained in deep tissue and im really not comfortable with it and she continues to ignore that lol. We were taught soft fist elbow etc ... more in NMT. So i guess its more of trying to put it all together in a routine? I dont know we'll see what happens today. Im gonna go in and do my best. As my director said shes pretty convinced that this womans not really aware of what deep tissue really means. If shes asking for me to focus on one area than shes asking for neuromuscular. Deep tissue is just another form of swedish or something i dont know. ANyway we'll see ... either way after this interview goes horribly lol Im gonna go to the school and look in the job book that i didnt even know exsisted and she said THEY WILL get me a job lol So that sounds promising. We'll see how that goes.. ill keep you posted. Thank you all again for your responses and support you guys are the best!

 

[[email protected]]

i hope your interview went well today. and yes, pretty much most of the time someone is asking for deep tissue, what they're really asking for is deeper pressure swedish massage. if someone is coming in with pain in a specific area, then you can do your nmt. i think what this spa may be looking for is someone who can give a good massage and who can adjust their pressure for a client who wants a little deeper massage than usual. and sure you were trained in that. it's the same massage that you already offer with a little deeper pressure. let us know how it went!

 

[alohaaizzy]

pretty much most of the time someone is asking for deep tissue, what they're really asking for is deeper pressure swedish massage. if someone is coming in with pain in a specific area, then you can do your nmt.

Times sure seem to change. In my school - Deep tissue was the now version of NMT. Swedish was swedish - light, medium, or deep.

There are so many terms out now for the same thing! :

Hope you had a great interview!!

 

[Beeker]

Still is:

http://www.massageplanet.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2583

 

[smallvoice85]

so the most natural question is:

what is a massage that is based in swedish of all pressures and includes various techniques of 'deep tissue' work?

 

[Punk Rock]

In our school we were taught myofascial release as "Deep Tissue" massage. Naturally they've changed what they teach many times over since I've been there (13 yrs ago)

Generally when we hear deep tissue we translate that to a deep massage using therapeutic techniques (nmt, myofascial ect.) but occassionally we get someone who comes in and requests deep tissue when in fact they are just wanting a deep pressure relaxation massage.

Thats why we also talk in depth to the client before starting the massage to find out what they really want.

 

[Liberal Nemesis]

so the most natural question is:

what is a massage that is based in swedish of all pressures and includes various techniques of 'deep tissue' work?

I call this customized. This is the way I usually work. Swedish to warm the tissues and to finish with a section - deep work where needed.
Deep work to me = stripping, compression, cross fiber, use of knuckles, elbows, etc. trigger point, MFR.

 

[FOB]

so the most natural question is:

what is a massage that is based in swedish of all pressures and includes various techniques of 'deep tissue' work?

I call this customized. This is the way I usually work. Swedish to warm the tissues and to finish with a section - deep work where needed.
Deep work to me = stripping, compression, cross fiber, use of knuckles, elbows, etc. trigger point, MFR.

Exactly Thanks for the words.

 

[lovelove11]

I agree as well. I wouldnt stress if I were you. When people ask me for deep tissue, I ask where the problem areas are that they want the most time spent. Thats where I do my deep work. They usually dont mean they want deep all over like the feet or scalp, that wouldnt be nice. "Deep tissue" to me is a mix of NMT(triggerpoints), swedish strokes done with much more pressure, basically, getting the knots out. I am sure your schooltaught you all that, now you just have to relax and apply those skills. No one expects you to be phenominal right outta the gate. It takes practice that continues after school is over.

 

[hey_uk2000]

Can you give us an update on how it went???

 

[coral]

Ok, Deep tissue. I graduated 5 years ago. The modalities went from Swedish to Sports Massage to Myofascial Release to Connective Tissue (which is deep tissue), to Hydrotherapy to Neuromuscular therapy under which Trigger Point Therapy falls. I had separate tests in all of those modalities. Our Deep tissue was taught in areas (back) (legs, front and back). We used closed fists, the pisiform and of course the forearm. The main idea is as we all know, the slower you go, the deeper you go. In a chiropractic office, the elbow is used...ouch! I don't believe deep tissue CAN be used over the whole body...upper arm for instance..outside, yes, inside, no and probably not recommended on the forearm unless slightly lighter in scope than what you'd do on the back. I call my mix of modalities a wellness massage just to differentiate from Swedish alone, and of course I will incorporate Shiatsu whenever possible, lol. This is probably TMI and I know it's too late to do any good to the original post, but it might be helpful to future MTs.

Life is good,

Jingluo

 

[Pompal 09.]

I realize these posts are a little old, however, im running into the same problem. In school we did not specifically learn DT massage. However, we did have NMT. Might I add, that I think the public is confused on what DT massage is. I have had people at the spa i used to work at that booked for a DT and all they really wanted was firmer pressure but be able to still relax. From what Ive read, DT massage is NOT Swedish with firmer pressure. If you gave a real DT massage, the client cannot relax and practically fall asleep. it takes alot of work from therapist and ongoing feedback during the session from client.

DT is not something they really teach in basic massage schools. ive been out of school for a year and the confusion over Deep Tissue seems to stem from Spa's using this service name in appropriately. A DT massage is skilled work, using TRP's, NMT, myofascial release, etc. In my school, we had about 40 hours of NMT. How it was presented was that its an introduction into this field so you can see if this is something you want to pursue further upon graduation. Yes, there were a few techniques you could take with you, but not enough to apply to an entire session of DT work.

I am asked alot to do a DT massage and quite frankly, I do not feel I have that ability in the sense where I feel what DT truly is! In fact, I am planning on taking a class on DT sometime soon just to get out of this
awkward position. But when you see all these other therapists doing DT work from just basic massage training, at times, Im wondering why Im not feeling capable (and its not due to my pressue/deep work, its technique needed ALONG with pressure/deep work).

So my question is, until i get the proper training, what should a DT massage consist of? For now, I just basically do swedish strokes but mostly work on trouble areas for the client, knots, etc. but I always feel I am working out of my realm due to what ive read about DT.

ANy thoughts, i have a DT to do this weekend.

BTW, I know a few therapists that went to same school I did, and they said they don't even know what Deep Tissue is. I think they too realize, there's more to it than just a deeper swedish massage and these therapists say they do not do DT massages, just therapeutic massage.

I had a DT massage because I wanted to see what it was. It was a spa, which was probably a mistake (i dont think most spas should be offering DT massages) but anyway, the massage was very vigorous, with FAST DEEP strokes, which I thought was totally wrong. The therapist was lacking a great deal of mindfulness, he never checked in with me, and was doing all this fast deep work. I was not very pleased, but once again, baffled by what DT massage truly is! I booked the appt so i could see what DT was all about. And I think this confirmed my suspicion on the confusion out there in therapists as well as the public.

I have Art Riggs Deep Tissue book, which is excellant, but have not tired to do any of the techniques. He also states, the techniques require additional training outside of basic massage training or introductory to NMT.

Any thoughts? Help? agreeements, disagreements??

Dwd

 

[Leanin]

Personally, I think even if there were a catch all definition of DT that all practitioners everywhere would subscribe to, we'd still be in a dilemma. Every client will walk in with their own set of needs, wants, understanding. I have always called my massage Customized Therapeutic Massage for that reason. I tell every client that we'll bring techniques and ideas to the table that are appropriate for them each time they come for an appointment. I ask them leading questions, repeat what they say, ask if I'm on target in understanding what it is they want. then we make a plan to proceed. When they return, I ask further questions: were you pleased with how you felt after the massage? days after? Is there something you would like changed about our approach today? Are you experiencing the same issues/complaints? I know this sounds remedial to most of you out there - you probably all do the very same. What my point is is that no matter what trademarked, stolen, bootlegged, improvised, or intuitive work I bring to the table, the client goes away saying one of a couple things: man, she can really work deep. She's strong, but she can hold it back when it's needed, etc. Even though I pride myself on not giving cookie-cutter massages for the masses, most of my repeat clients want me to recreate that first massage - the one that hit the nail on the head or whatever. It has made me describe that massage as my signature massage (even though it varies), and I tell them my signature massage can be very firm or dialed to whatever is appropriate. I think, yes, I do deep work very well, but then I have had some friends describe my work as relaxing as opposed to another girlfriend's work as deep. In my opinion her work is sharp. I don't always like it, but I get their point because I never take the deep strokes out of a client's comfort threshold.

If someone in our field were to ask me to do deep tissue work on them, I would do the same as I would for my clients. And I'd keep checking in. If it helps, tell them that deep work is a relative term, and requesting 'deep' will warrant some conversation and participation while they are on the table with you.

Its semantics. We would have all had to go to a cookie cutter school to have the same understanding & output. Even then, we would get creative & the terms used would become elastic.

Jill/Sagetherapist

 

[Duey]

and to further confuse the crowd , the next most natural question is:

what is a massage that is based in swedish, of only deep pressure and includes various techniques of 'deep tissue' work?

 

[ouch that hurt]

I have always called my massage Customized Therapeutic Massage for that reason. I tell every client that we'll bring techniques and ideas to the table that are appropriate for them each time they come for an appointment.

Same here. Makes things a lot less confusing for everyone.

 

[Johnny Rocket]

it is true that spas tend to 'confuse' the terms. often they will offer a 20-30 minute or 50-60 minute swedish, deep, sports, and therapeutic blend.
in that environment, deep and sports are fairly interchangable; even though one would probably never do a sports for an hour (not appropriate for true pre-event, possibly appropriate for post-event), or a true deep tissue for a whole hour is, as you noted, Dwd, could be uncomfortable.
i say interchangable, because those who are writing your service menus will either use one term or the other, or both.

i think it comes down to what type of work you offer in your practice. if you're focused on wellness massage, like in a spa, then deep is implied as a deep pressure swedish with deep tissue work. if you're offering injury rehab, remedial massage, medical massage, or the like, and the client is requesting deep, then true deep is what is in order.
but even that definition is confused because ultimately, we're in business; attempting to market a service to a relatively un-educated public, who has been influenced by what they have seen, read, or experienced. and from that marketing standpoint, we, as MT's need to offer services that can be readily understood by the potential clients. i think context is key.

compounding the issue is that many mt's offer a customizable blend~ one rate for all massage types; and others offer a delination between swedish, blend, deep and sports. whether this helps or hurts the ability for the public to accurately get the massage they want is a whole 'nother thread.

i always encourage those new to massage to read the service menus, and ask a lot of questions, because we all do it differently.