A common question we are asked by clients is how much pressure is right for them. More pressure doesn’t necessarily mean that the massage is better, and sometimes it may be detrimental to your goals. The amount of pressure used in your massage is a very personal choice, and you’ll want to discuss this with your therapist beforehand to ensure they are clear about your aims for the session. You shouldn’t feel like you have to endure a painful massage using high pressure if it’s not aligned with why you’ve booked a massage in the first place.
Deep Tissue Massage
At A Mindful Root, one of our most popular massage options is deep tissue massage. This type of massage is often associated with very intense pressure but can range from moderate to intense. If you are looking for a massage that uses high pressure, this is always our top recommendation. However, don’t feel like this is the only option for you. Deep tissue massage may have moments of mild pain, but you should never feel like it’s too much. If you are opting to have a deep tissue massage, ensure you communicate throughout the massage to avoid any discomfort.
Swedish Massage
For anyone who is looking for a more relaxing treatment and doesn’t need to treat any specific areas of pain or injury, Swedish massage is often your best bet. This offers a lighter pressure, although there may be moments when we increase the pressure. We’ll work to understand your body and needs at the start of the treatment, and if there are any areas of high tension, such as the shoulders and back, you may find additional pressure is used. You can still enjoy all of the same benefits of massage without feeling like you must have a high pressure treatment and will come out feeling looser and more relaxed. If you do feel like you’d like to try moments of high pressure, consider booking a combination treatment. This is one of our most popular treatment options and allows our therapist to work alongside you to create a customized treatment.
How to Receive the Right Amount of Pressure?
At A Mindful Root, we encourage all of our clients to speak openly with their massage therapist at the start of and during the treatment. This will allow them to understand the amount of pressure you like. During the treatment, this communication needs to continue. If you are in pain, it’s critical you tell your therapist, and likewise, if you find the massage to be too gentle, ask them to go a little further with the pressure. Your massage therapist isn’t a mind reader, so don’t expect them to know how you feel without mentioning it.
Everyone’s tolerance of pressure is very different, and you may even find your body can handle different amounts of pressure from day to day. While there may be some slight pain involved with massage and releasing knots, it’s important to know you don’t have to sit there for an hour feeling extremely uncomfortable. There are some forms of good pain in massage, but we never want to enter the realm of damaging pain. This is especially important if you are recovering from an injury or illness, as it may make your condition even worse. The right amount of pressure is what’s right for your body, and that’s something you need to keep in mind during every treatment.
Get in touch today with A Mindful Root to book in for your next massage treatment. We’ll be happy to discuss with you the right pressure level for your needs to help work towards your current health and well-being goals.
For further information or to book your first appointment, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
