What to use for deep tissue?

[Mr. Fix It]

We just started deep tissue massage in school and the teacher has us using a small amount of shea butter for glide. I'll have to get my own since the school only supplies a tiny sample of it. Before I purchase anything, in your opinion, what works better for deep tissue...shea butter or a deep tissue lotion? TIA!

 

[godsnarnialover]

I think it really depends on your preference. Get both and try both.

I have used cocoa butter (a very small amount!) for a long time and always loved it, and that is probably similar to shea butter. But found when I tried some lotion (Soothing touch lavender lotion) that could work fine, too.

Beware - not all lotions labeled "deep tissue lotion" truly fit the bill. I have found some that are way too greasy and actually better for swedish. (Thera Pro deep tissue lotion)

 

[paultopg]

I prefer lotion. Specifically: Natural Formulations Sunflower Deep Tissue Lotion.

Here's a nice thread:
What is your favorite Massage Lotion/Cream?

 

[.:daisy:.]

One of my soap suppliers has refined shea butter with aloe. Do you think that would be a good choice or just stick with straight shea butter?

 

[Mercedes]

I think it depends on what your intentions are for the session. Some creams provide more drag than others. In school we used cocoa butter for our myofascial release work because it "sticks" well. At work we only have the Biotone dual purpose creme. Its pretty oily so i use very little and that works too. I prefere the pro massage cream from custom craftworks when I do deep work. It seems to have good glide and drag. I hope this helps.

 

[KookiePenny]

I really like Soothing Touch unscented jojoba lotion and have been able to use it successfully in deeper work.

Angela

 

[julie j]

Start with just one kind of lube. Don't feel you need to pick the "best" deep tissue lube. It's subjective, and you're better off trying a variety of lubes after you have learned how to work effectively with just one.

My school had us use oil in the early seforum.xxxes of our training, then cream as we got into more advanced levels of training. Since graduating, I have used at least a dozen different oils, several different creams, at least six different lotions, some massage gels, plain water, and plain hand lotion... all for "deep tissue" work. I have also done deeper work with absolutely no lubricant whatsoever. The key is to adapt your style of work to make the best use of whatever lube you are using at the moment.

If you use a lot of longer, faster strokes, you will probably need something with more glide. If you are doing fascial work, you may not want any lube, or perhaps you'll use just a bit of water or hand lotion. If you are doing NMT-type work, you can use just about anything, just not so much it gets slippery.

Since you are just getting started, it doesn't really matter what you use. Just pick something you like that is affordable. As your skills develop, you will be better able to evaluate the qualities of alternative lubricants.

 

[bluemoonmemory]

I use no lubricant.

Patrick

 

[Pompal 09.]

A VERY small amount of jojoba.

If I need to do more myofascial work in an area I will remove some of the jojoba with a steam towel if necessary. The client thinks it's part of the treatment.

 

[ktk]

The client thinks it's part of the treatment.

I love this. It's so true, but I never thought of it this way.

 

[Pompal 09.]

For myofascial release techniques, I use very, very, very little Biotone cream. For deep tissue, which is closely related to myofascial work, I don't use anything. If I'm incorporating myo and deep, I may or may not use anything depending the muscle(s) I'm working. Like JasonE said, 'shop around', determine the relative/specific strengths/weaknesses of the products. You may find that one works best using certain techniques, while others may work better with others. Have fun!