TIL less pressure on the facial massage actually works better

I had this regular client last week who's always tense in the jaw and neck. I used to dig in hard thinking I was breaking up knots, but she finally told me it made her clench more. So I tried a lighter touch with slower strokes, and she literally fell asleep on the table for 15 minutes. Now I'm rethinking my whole approach to pressure points. Anybody else have a client change how you work?

2 comments

2 Comments

ray_carr1mo ago

You literally fell asleep" is the key part there. I see it the opposite way though. Had a buddy who went to a massage therapist for his shoulders and she barely touched him. He said it was like being pet by a ghost. For me, a firmer pressure tells my muscles something is actually happening. I think people just respond different. All that "less is more" stuff works for some, but for a big guy like me who works with his hands all day, I need to feel it or I just lay there wondering when its gonna start.

laura_white991mo ago

Pet by a ghost - that's exactly it. Light pressure just feels like someone is checking if you're still alive. My dad's a carpenter and same thing, he needs somebody to actually lean into those knots or he'll just lay there mentally critiquing the technique. Different bodies need different things.