Force vs. Finesse

It’s not uncommon for a client to request a therapist based on whether they think that therapist can or can’t deliver deep pressure.  For example, a new client might request a male therapist because they don’t think a female therapist can provide deep pressure.  Or they may not want a male therapist because they think that therapist can only do massage with deep pressure.

But the truth is that getting effective results and providing deep pressure during a massage is all about finesse not force.  Therapists are trained to use their body weight not just their hands to provide pressure.  Experienced therapists typically rely on their elbows and forearms as much as their thumbs.  It saves wear and tear on their thumbs and can provide a more satisfying massage for their client.

Equally important, skilled therapists know how to access deeper layers of muscle and tissue without using a lot of pressure.  Many techniques allow a therapist to reduce tension and pain in deep layers without causing pain.  In fact, if our clients can deeply relax during their session, we often getting better results than if they stay on edge and maintain a “no pain, no gain” attitude.
 
The other thing to consider is that most experienced therapists can calibrate their pressure to suit their client.  Good therapists don’t just have “one gear” that they operate in.  Instead they can adjust the pressure, speed, and other aspects of their technique to fit their client.

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But remember - communication is critical for your therapist to provide the perfect session for you!  It’s important to make sure your therapist understands your expectations before your session starts (and good therapist will ask).  And you and your therapist must communicate throughout the session to make sure those expectations are being met.

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