Training is based at a home treatment room in Levenshulme, Manchester until July 25th 2022, this includes Couple’s massage workshops.
From Autumn 2022 onwards, training events including Introduction to Deep Tissue Massage & the Level 3 Deep Tissue Massage Diploma are based at Brathay Hall, Ambleside, the Lake District, Cumbria.
The techniques from both methods are very similar. Sports Massage is also similar to Swedish Massage with a few extra techniques added in. There are versions of Sports Massage suitable for pre and post competition but the majority of sports massage treatments are for maintenance; to target aches and pains, improve flexibility and to prevent injury. The same principles apply to deep tissue massage.
My training is a mixture of techniques taken from Sports & Deep Tissue Massage styles. The courses and workshops titles are called ‘Deep Tissue Massage’ because this is the predominant style of massage learnt.
During a firm massage there can be uncomfortable moments because tight muscles and connective tissue are being encouraged to relax. When the muscles are very tense and it can feel sore having the tension worked out. But the feeling should be a satisfying ‘good’ pain. Communication between the person receiving, and the person giving the deep tissue massage is encouraged to reach the right level of pressure.
Wear comfy clothing that you can move easily in (and that you don’t mind getting oil on!) Please wear respectful clothing- no cleavage showing for example or very tight garments. What you would wear for the gym is ideal such as a t-shirt, joggers and trainers, or comfy sandals. You will receive a detailed letter with information on how to prepare for your training after you book your place.
In order to gain insurance to carry out massage therapy in exchange for money or to be employed by a therapy centre or spa, you need a level 3 qualification in massage.
Yes it helps! The body is held together by connective tissue (fascia); it is a network of fibres much like an item of clothing, if one area is tight, it will pull and mis-shape and will affect another area. A classic example is how tight pectoral muscles on the chest bring rounded shoulders forward even more, contributing the a classic rounded shoulders posture. Massage relaxes tight muscles and connective tissue to enable the body to restore its natural balanced form. Additionally, massage releases tension and stress to improve flexibility and reduce pain, as well as to improve energy levels. All of which can motivate the individual to take care of their posture and to exercise more; if you feel good, you are more likely to have the energy to exercise.
But massage is only one small part of improving posture, the rest is based on posture correcting exercises and you changing daily habits such as your sitting and sleeping position.
When massage therapists talk about tension they are basically talking about muscular and connective tissue rigidity. Relaxed, healthy muscles and tissue should be pliable and soft to touch. When under stress from overwork, anxiety and bad posture muscles & tissues fibres bunch up (contract) instead of lying flat and smooth. If the tension is not worked out with relaxation, massage and stretching the fibres can stay stuck in this bunched up form. Then the area feels rigid. It can cause pain. An example is a muscle ‘knot’. What is a muscle knot in your back? A gathering of tension, a blockage. Massage soothes the nervous system and sends signals to your body to relax and release stress.
Massage therapists get asked this a lot and the answer is yes- if you use your hands all the time! But if you use your forearm and elbow to perform deeper movements it doesn’t! Massage movements using the hands like kneading should be gentler, whereas when a serious knot needs attention there is nothing more nifty than the sustained pressure of an elbow. Massage therapists must avoid using their hands all the time if they want a long standing career. Wrists and fingers are small joints and a lot of pressure at frequent intervals can cause pain. A huge surface area can be covered with a swoop of the forearms compared to lots of hand movements. Therapists should employ hands free movements to bring easy-to do powerful techniques to the table. Otherwise their career might be over in a few years (3 years is the average lifespan for massage therapy careers when therapists don’t use hands-free methods). The methods learnt at Lakes Massage Training School are strain free and protect hands from overwork.
