MYOFASCIAL COMPRESSION

So,  now I'm here to tell you about part 2, MYOFASCIAL COMPRESSION.  To be honest,  it's a favorite and extremely necessary part in giving a successful massage whether it's deep tissue or not.

So,  as I explained earlier about Deep Tissue,  I need to address also the when and where of the myofascial application.  This term I feel is not new but rarely used or even administered in my field for some odd reason.  I briefly remember the term tossed around in school,  and briefly learned tidbits from another massage therapist named Jaymi D. I did my own research and online education on the matter, and let me tell you,  you'll become fan of it too once im done educating you about it! You'll be requesting that your therapist administer it on you at your next massage appointment.

So,  again I need you to picture the Earth,  and it's cut vertically in half. You see all the layers of the earth.  Now the Earth in reality has several layers to it but we're going to pretend it has like,  4 layers LOL. So,  the first layer (soil or crust) were going to call it myofascia or also known as connective tissue.  This sits in between your skin and your muscles, and is responsible in helping to keep everything bundled together.  It's very flexible,  and also becomes tendons that extend beyond a muscle or muscle group.  The next layer (mantle) or layers are the muscles,  which also carry blood vessels, lymph glands and channels, nerves e.t.c e.t.c you get the point.
            In the myofascial application im using my hands or fingers and I'm pushing into the muscles doing gentle compression while one hand is going one direction and the other hand is going the opposite direction ⬅️⬅️⬅️__➡️➡️➡️
                                   This is doing a manual stretch to the surface connective tissue that's attached to and covering, the muscles.  In stretching it going east and west first,  it will allow my massage movements to be less painful,  less work on my hands,  fingers,  and arms,  and more productive at getting the end result to the problematic muscle group you need in that one visit without causing damage to the muscle.

Ever cut up a chicken breast,  and you have to cut through a thin translucent layer of stuff that's on the outside of the breast meat? That my dears is the fascia connective tissue.  (I use to think it was part of the skin and I'd rip it all off the best I could 😄) well,  when our muscles move it moves along with it.  It also toughens up when the muscle gets stronger or over exerted.  Problem is,  if both are tight,  that means both need loosening up correct? And usually a massage therapist will quickly go over your skin and then start digging in trying to break up the muscle adhesions without FIRST stretching out the fascia.

So,  let's say you're going to the gym to use the elliptical, treadmill, or weights.  Would you immediately start without warming up and stretching first? Of course not.  Because you know that stretching and warming the muscle prevents injury,  increases flexibility,  and allows for longevity and results in your attempt to build and maintain a healthy physique. So why wouldn't you stretch and warm up your muscles and connective tissues first in a deep tissue massage???

 Because I am stretching also the surface of the clients skin to do the myofascial I do like to use a quick absorbing lotion to hydrate the skin surface so it doesn't feel like I'm tearing dry skin and cracking it making it bleed. But,  I also need to be aware and consider that over greasing the skin doesn't stretch well either. Lotions and oils are meant to help glide and reduce friction in massage movements.   So I have to determine the right balance as a therapist to get the action I need, with your comfort in mind.

 I'm going to bunny trail here just a bit to point out the difference and need for heat or ice.  Heat loosens muscle and increases circulation, but can cause inflammation in nerves or injury sites.  Ice can reduce pain and swelling from nerves or inflammation from injury,  but reduces circulation and can cause tissue damage if administered for too long.

So if I'm wanting to help someone in pain,  I first have to do a consultation to determine whether or not heat or ice is needed.  Sometimes both is required! If there is no nerve pain, swelling, or inflammation,  heat can be administered, and is the first step in treatment. Second is doing myofascia compression.  Once I do that over selected area or areas needed,  and determine that flexibility is now present,  I can start my massage service to manipulate and correct the muscles, so you feel like you received the results you need and you got your money's worth.
            Because these are steps that not only require knowledge, but are additional steps taken before a deep tissue massage service is even administered, ( Physically for me doing deep tissue on a person is very tiring and demands strength on my end ) is why I charge an additional cost for deep tissue.

If you have any questions regarding prices or services provided,  please visit my website at www.elkhartsalonandspa.com for further details.