The effects of deep-tissue massage can have a lasting impact on your clients’ health and well-being. With slow strokes and deep pressure applied across the grain of muscles, massage therapists can release clients’ nagging muscle tension.
By learning the benefits and techniques of deep-tissue massage in the privacy of your home or office through home study courses, massage therapists can easily implement these tools into their practice. The massage techniques can aid in easing symptoms that persist from conditions like osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia and carpal tunnel syndrome, along with easing sports-related injuries, muscle spasms and mobility difficulties.
Some deep-tissue massage benefits include loosening a client’s muscle tissue, releasing toxins and improves circulation in the body.
An Internet search resulted in numerous home study courses that any massage therapist can take to fulfill his or her continuing education requirements.
For deep-tissue massage, home study courses include topics that cover what deep-tissue massage is, body mechanics, basic principles, anatomy of the muscular system, correct use of techniques, client positioning, looking out for your clients’ health, therapeutic strategies and areas of caution for therapists. The latter item in the course list details what therapists should analyze before applying massage to their clients.
Clients who are pregnant, have a rash, viral infection, just undergone surgery, recently broken bones, have a hernia, tumor or a diagnosis of heart disease or osteoporosis should not receive deep-tissue massage.
Recent studies have shown deep-tissue massage helps reduce blood pressure and heart rate.
A study conducted between 2004 and 2006, “The Effect of Deep-Tissue Massage Therapy on Blood Pressure and Heart Rate,” researchers studied a group of 263 people to measure deep-tissue massage and its effects on diastolic, systolic and mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate. After surveying and monitoring the test subjects, researchers found a significant decline in systolic and diastolic pressure. The clients’ mean arterial pressure and heart rate also declined.
Make sure you check with your national and state licensing bodies to make sure the courses you select are acceptable for continuing education credits.
–Jeremy Maready