Deep tissue and....falling asleep

[joe_bhoy_09]

I have noticed that many of my clients end up falling asleep when I'm doing DT on them. It's just something we've talked about at work. One of my coworkers (who is of the 'dig an elbow in hard' school) says that my DT isn't deep enough. She's got her clients who prefer her methods and I've got mine, so this isn't a complaint! When I've worked on someone who isn't satisfied with my DT 'cause they like reallyreallydeep DT, I'm happy to recommend her. And she dislikes doing moderate DT and Swedish, so she's happy to refer them to me. It's win-win for both of us. My preferred way is warming up with Swedish, lots of slow stretches and I still seem to maintain a semblence of equal strokes, gliding movements etc. She has a lot of athletes and men that prefer hers, I have more women that want some cross of DT and Swedish and don't want to 'be hurt'.

She just think it's not possible for someone to fall asleep during a true DT massage. l'm not looking to change my style as it works for me, I'm very happy with my clients and they with me, apparently. I just thought I'd throw this out there for all kinds of opinions. What do you think? It's just one of those 'shop talk' things with us.

 

[debijs]

Deep tissue and....falling asleep

Well, all I can say is, I once fell asleep (or was in a trance of some sort!) while hubby was doing some very deep work on my arm/axillary area. Normally what he does there hurts no matter how gentle he is, because that is just a *very sensitive area*!. But that time, I either woke up, or came to, or whatever, and realized that's where he was, and we were both kinda shocked.

Regarding the "she has her clients, and you have yours".... I have often felt somewhat inadequate, because I cannot do what Hubby does. Then I remember that we don't NEED "two of him", we need one of him, and one of me!

It's all good.

 

[hairbender]

Deep tissue and....falling asleep

When I was in school, we were once told by an instructor that people shouldn't be falling asleep during deep/specific work... NOT because we're causing them so much discomfort because of the amount of pressure we're using, BUT because when working really deep or specific, we should be maintaining verbal communication through the process.

Also remember that different people have differing definitions of what "deep" work is. Some clients (and therapists) think "deep" work is all about heavy pressure, taking the pain, grinding out those trigger points, and feeling like you've been smacked by a Mack truck for the next week. IMHO, that's just abuse. When I hear deep, I think "deep as opposed to superficial."

For example. Someone coming in with upper back issues asks for "deep" work. Many have the impression that that means the therapist needs to dive in and beat the whiz out of them. When I approach the client, I tell them that I'll be working through the layers of muscle to get to the deeper layers (thus, deeper tissues) to see what I find along the way. Now, I adjust the pressure as necessary for each of the layers I'm working. If I'm checking out their traps, I'm probably not going to dive in all elbows, blasting through the layer I'm trying to assess. I'll up the pressure when I need to check out the rhomboids, and so on. When I work like this, there's more communication about what the client is feeling in the different layers, am I hitting anything that causes a similar sensation to what they're complaining of, etc.

Now, through communication if I find that the client just wants a LOT of pressure, I'm willing to do that (as long as I think it's appropriate and not an S&M painful kinda massage). In those cases, there tends to be less communication, and more often than not, the client does fall asleep.

Last thing, keep in mind that some people are functioning so sleep deprived these days, that simply putting them horizontal in a safe, comfortable space, they WILL pass out on you. If their body needs the sleep bad enough, they'll sleep through all the elbows, fists, and chatting that you throw at them. t001

 

[lrd00a]

Deep tissue and....falling asleep

Great posts! Good read!

I've fallen asleep during some very deep work as well. I find that when I do fall asleep during deep work, it is because of the flow of the work. Sometimes it is because it is a combo of Deep & Swedish. But, mainly it's just the flow.

I figure your friend works with more "broken" strokes along with her depth. Nothing wrong with it. Just different.

I do anything from relaxation to deep. But, when I work deep, most of my clients are sore for about two days. It's standard. It works and for the most part I am good at helping the body get rid of long term pain. Rarely do people fall asleep when I am doing that particular work. I mix some swedish with my work, but as I get deeper, the strokes tend to get shorter and more focused and sometimes even quick on occasion. It all depends on the client need.

It sounds to me like you are regualarly providing a great deep massage that people just lay back and enjoy! How wonderful!



09/04/10: edited for typo

 

[kAt Go RaWr!!!]

Deep tissue and....falling asleep

I believe that it isn't actually "sleep" that is happening.
In order for the body to "heal" or to do it's self-healing work, it needs to be in a particular state.
The brain is going from an alpha (non-arousal) to a theta state. This is the "place" that I believe healing and changes are taking place.
If the person is in a beta state (the mind is engaged and aroused), the person is too much in their head and not in the most beneficial state.

If your client trusts you to do the work they will zone out and slip out of that beta state.

While some people may say that the work isn't physically deep enough, I say that bodywork can be profoundly deep in a different way.
A client yesterday was relating how he would be sore for a week after a deep tissue massage and the therapist told him that he would get used to it.
With that work he experienced some relief on occassion, but nothing lasting or "profound"
The work that I did with him was quite different. It was much more supportive and I could see the difference our session made in his overall physical and emotional presence. One session and he was able to trust me completely and allow many changes to occur.

"Deep enough" is very subjective in the physical sense. Nobody ever says that my work isn't deep enough - but it isn't because it hurts physically. The "deepness" is on a completely different level.
I believe, and I tell my clients, that the work can only be as deep as their body is ready for - if I try and push beyond that their body will "push back" and nothing will happen.

 

[italianscotschick]

Deep tissue and....falling asleep

Squash Blossom, I like your take on the sleeping bit. Although I use active engagement in some of my deep work and the client is awake there---- during most deep work I do the client is in "that state". I've always thought it better b/c I can actually get deeper in those instances. And since the clients mind is in a state, it seems the body becomes more responsive to the work. Many therapists don't feel that way about deep work, so it was refreshing to read that it happens to others.

 

[King Hippo]

Deep tissue and....falling asleep

Nice discussion! Good food for thought.

 

[Kat :D]

Deep tissue and....falling asleep

If your client trusts you to do the work they will zone out and slip out of that beta state.

Excellent point!!

I have "fallen asleep" during deep tissue and most of my clients do as well, but I think that also has to do with the fact that I work rrrrrrrrrrrreeeeaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllll sssssssssssllllllllllllllloooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (translation- real slow)

:altwink:

Angle

 

[Kayt5]

Deep tissue and....falling asleep

I just had to wake my last client of the day up. lol They are always apologetic but I tell them, no worries, just means I did my job!

I'm out of here... see you fine folks later!

 

[Tony L]

Deep tissue and....falling asleep

...during most deep work I do the client is in "that state". I've always thought it better b/c I can actually get deeper in those instances. And since the clients mind is in a state, it seems the body becomes more responsive to the work. Many therapists don't feel that way about deep work, so it was refreshing to read that it happens to others.

I absolutely agree... when a client gets in that "state" it is always easier to do more work. I love it when this happens.