Pressure

Pressure is a complex concept because it is a combination of the kinetic force applied and the perceived pressure of a technique.

• Kinetic Force: The amount of kinetic force being applied throughout a technique. It is experienced as an input, in that it activates local sensory neurons that alert the brain to the deformation of soft tissues.
• Perceived Pressure: This is the perceived pressure of a technique, which is influenced by the shape, movement, and temperature of a muscle, neurological sensitivity, and stress level. Perceived pressure is an output, meaning it is the brain’s interpretation of the kinetic force being applied. Using neurotags, it decides whether the stimulus feels pleasurable, meh, hurts so good, rewarding, or painful.

The application of effective pressure in a massage is difficult to master because it requires more than strength and endurance. Empathy, humility, awareness, and a high attention to detail are essential when attempting to provide perfect pressure. The pressure goal of every massage is to give someone their Goldilocks of pressure. This means it’s not too firm or too soft, but just right.

The key to providing excellent pressure is through communication. If you assume, you will never have the clues required to provide someone with the peace and ease they seek. The most effective way to identify the pressure we are applying is by asking how it feels.

Massage Pressure Homework

An excellent exercise you can do at home is to place your hand on someone’s arm or leg (after gaining permission). Once your hand is in a comfortable position, ask them how the pressure feels. After they tell you, increase the force you are applying. The goal is to slowly apply pressure to gauge the difference in pressure levels and to improve your ability to progressively apply pressure. You will apply more force, then ask them how it feels until you have reached the threshold of firm pressure. Once you have reached a firm level of pressure, reduce the pressure in stages, following the same steps, until you are applying no pressure at all. After you have performed this exercise, do the same exercise for yourself. At the end, compare how it felt to them versus how it felt to you.