00:00new videos every day life wisdom psyche truth massage hi I'm Jen Hillman and
00:13something I'm going to show you guys today is the difference between Swedish
00:16massage and deep tissue massage a lot of times these two techniques will be
00:22used in combination because they really complement each other very well but
00:27there are some differences in the approach that you take and the effect on
00:32the body so let's go ahead and get started I'll just use a little bit of oil
00:37to work on the back
00:45generally speaking Swedish massage is used to stimulate circulation to help
00:54relax the body and is usually characterized by long continuous fluid
01:01movements so a Swedish technique is used to apply oil to the skin for example so
01:12using long strokes with steady pressure
01:18across the entire surface of the part that I'm working
01:29Swedish massage is a great way to start to warm up the muscle tissue and helps to
01:36improve circulation in the area really helping to flush out the arteries and
01:43veins that are carrying the blood it also helps to bring more oxygen to any tight
01:52muscles
01:56so just using these long strokes all the way across her back
02:04just helping her to relax
02:10and allowing her body to become accustomed to my touch
02:33so applying the oil in this way is pretty standard for any deep tissue or Swedish massage
02:41so there's some other Swedish techniques that you can use one is called
02:47petrissage where it's a form of kneading so you actually knead the tissue back and forth
02:57so across her back I can do the left side and then the right side just kneading back and forth
03:08so I'm using a steady pressure but it's not extremely deep
03:14so
03:17so
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03:27so
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03:51Petressage can also be used in a localized area, just working the shoulders for example.
03:59This is a place where a lot of people carry tension.
04:02So you can just work one area or you can work more generally a larger area.
04:25Another great Swedish technique is using the flat part of the knuckles, not the edges
04:32of the knuckles, that can be too deep and sensitive.
04:35So using the flat parts of the knuckles, you can move your hands all the way down on either
04:45side of the spine in one long continuous stroke.
04:54Making circles right at the tops of the hips is also a really great way to target another
05:01tight area for a lot of people.
05:08So again, just running the flat part of the knuckles down the spine.
05:26And making circles at the tops of the hips.
05:37So by now your partner is probably feeling pretty relaxed and comfortable on the table.
05:43And by working the Swedish techniques in this way, you've had a chance to identify where
05:51there might be some tension or tightness in your partner's body.
05:55So this is a good time to start working some of the deep tissue techniques.
06:00So deep tissue really just refers to an approach where you start to access the deeper layers
06:08of muscles.
06:10This is where you'll start to identify knots and tight constricted areas of tension.
06:18So I'll work into her shoulders because it is an area where a lot of people deal with tension.
06:26So just using a slightly firmer pressure, I can go in with my thumbs and start to work a more
06:34isolated area.
06:42And as I work into this area, I'm noticing little knots, little bumps, places where the tissue is not soft.
06:53It's kind of hard and tight.
06:56So these are the areas where she's holding tension.
07:00And it's kind of hard to show on a video because it's something that I'm feeling.
07:05So as you practice these techniques, it's really important that you tune into your partner's body
07:13and be aware of what you feel.
07:18So one way that I like to use deep tissue is to identify those knots or identify a tight place
07:26and use a firm, steady pressure right in that area.
07:33And you can also ask your partner, does that feel pretty tight? Is that sensitive?
07:43And it's also good to just check in with the pressure to make sure that you're not hurting them
07:49because sometimes these areas can be really sensitive.
07:55And once I feel a little release, I can move into another area.
08:04Like I said, everybody's body is different.
08:07So the sensations that you'll notice are all going to be different.
08:11Some people have really crunchy spots where it feels like you're running your fingers over gravel.
08:20Those areas, I like to use a little bit of vibration,
08:27actually vibrating the area with a steady, firm pressure.
08:31This helps to bring blood into the area, really helps to flood the area with blood that has new oxygen,
08:40white blood cells, red blood cells.
08:43All of these help to repair tissues and improve circulation.
08:50And as this starts to loosen up, I can actually work even deeper into the tissue now.
09:13And you can use these techniques just identifying knots all over the back,
09:19but especially in the shoulders, between the shoulder blades, at the tops of the shoulders,
09:26you'll find a lot of knots for most people.
09:35So just wherever you find those little tight spots, just hone in on that area,
09:42using a steady, firm pressure.
09:54So
10:13Sometimes when people are really tight and have some knots, the knot is hard to isolate.
10:19It'll kind of slip to one side or the other.
10:24That is an indicator to you that it's an area that's really tight.
10:29So just try and stay patient and stay focused and really try to isolate that tight spot so
10:37you can help it to release and relax.
10:51So that's one way to use deep tissue techniques.
10:56Another thing I like to do is to use my elbow and forearm.
11:02This is a great way to work the way all the way down the spine as people carry a lot
11:08of
11:08tension in the erector muscles.
11:11So it's important to note if you are choosing to use your elbow that you want to stay either
11:17on the left or right side of the spine.
11:20Using your elbow directly on the vertebrae feels terrible.
11:24Don't do that.
11:26You really want to work into the muscle tissue along either side of the spine.
11:32So I go in with my forearm first just to make a connection.
11:39And I'm using a firm pressure here but I'm not digging into the tissue.
11:45Again, even though we're working deeply, the point is still relaxation.
11:51You want your partner to feel comfortable.
11:56So working nice and slow as I make my way down the spine, it's like squeezing a tube of toothpaste.
12:05So it's literally squeezing lactic acid and toxins out of the tissue.
12:15Making way for fresh blood.
12:37And you may notice other places where your partner feels tight along the back.
12:45So it's important that you're not in any rush, not trying to push your own agenda, but really
12:53just trying to work with what you're picking up from your partner's body.
13:19And as I reach the base of the spine and start to make contact with the top of her hip
13:26bone,
13:26I bring the pressure less in my elbow and more into the forearm so that I can continue moving past
13:36her hip bone up onto the sacrum.
13:44And using a steady downward pressure towards her feet, she's actually able to get a stretch along the low back.
13:57And then just gently sliding my forearm off of her back, I can return my hands to the top.
14:11So once I come all the way back up to the top of her shoulder, I can just use my
14:20fingers to run along the side of her neck.
14:24Just getting those muscles along the edge of the spine all the way up to the head.
14:30This gives a nice complete feeling.
14:38So these are just a few of some of my favorite techniques that I use a lot of the time.
14:45So if you go ahead and favorite this video and leave a thumbs up, then you can come back and
14:51watch it again
14:52and work your forearm down the other side of the back and give yourself a chance to practice these Swedish
15:00and deep tissue techniques.
15:03And I'll be making more videos covering this topic of Swedish versus deep tissue massage.
15:10We'll be covering other areas of the body as well.
15:14So subscribe to the Psyche Truth channel so you can have access to my full library of videos.
15:20And to learn more about me and my practice, visit my website, jenhillmantherapeutictouch.com.
15:28Leave me a comment, leave me a thumbs up, come back and watch again soon.
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