If you text me asking for deep tissue massage, I’ll want to know what you mean by that. You might prefer firm pressure, or you might want me to spend time on one stubborn sore spot. Those are different preferences, and knowing which matters to you helps us plan the appointment.
Focused work or firmer pressure?
I offer trigger point massage for focused work on tender areas of muscle. You may feel tenderness right where I’m working or notice sensation elsewhere. Neither tells me the medical cause of your pain. Tell me where you feel the discomfort, when it started, and what your healthcare provider has advised.
People often use “deep tissue” to mean deeper or firmer work through muscle and other soft tissue. It doesn’t necessarily mean focusing on a single spot, and it shouldn’t mean enduring as much pressure as possible. I don’t list deep tissue as a separate service here. If that’s the phrase you use, describe what you want from it so we’re talking about the same thing.
Tell me what pressure feels right
You can want focused attention without wanting hard pressure. You can also prefer a broader massage with firmer pressure. Either way, tell me if something feels too intense. I can change the pressure, move to another area, or stop.
The NCCIH’s massage overview notes rare reports of serious harm, including with vigorous massage or in people at higher risk of injury. I don’t want you to treat pain as a sign that you’re getting a better massage. Let me know about medical restrictions and any concerns before we begin.
A few ways to describe what you want
These are examples of useful requests, not a script you need to follow:
- “This shoulder spot bothers me after a desk day. I’d like you to focus there, but I don’t want hard pressure.”
- “I’d like a general massage, and I usually prefer firm pressure.”
- “I’ve been sore since changing my workouts. I’m not sure whether sports or trigger point work makes sense.”
That gives me both your main concern and a sense of the approach you prefer. I also offer sports or neuromuscular therapeutic massage; I use those names for the same service in my practice. You don’t need to choose the label before we speak.
If you have a recent injury or symptoms that are severe, new, or unexplained, see an appropriate healthcare professional first. I can’t determine the cause through massage. Once you have their guidance, let me know about any restrictions we need to follow.
Ready to book? Text or call Javier with your preferred day, whether you’d like 60 or 90 minutes, and the areas you’d like attention on. I’ll confirm a time with you, and we’ll talk through the approach before we begin.