Whether you give massage or receive massage, these things are good cues from the body to pay attention to. Massage has an ideal pressure – and that’s different for each of us. If we use the following 5 signals from the body as cues to avoid, then we’re giving ourselves a better chance at finding that perfect pressure.
You know the pressure is a little too much when:
- 1?? Holding breath – When the breath is being held, it signals you’ve gone past the threshold of what’s the most beneficial.
- 2?? Breathing rapidly – Sometimes people will breathe shallowly and quickly instead of holding their breath. It means the same thing – it’s beyond the comfortable intensity of good massage pressure.
- 3?? Eyes squeeze further shut – Sometimes people are really good at controlling their breath even when it’s too intense. The eyes often give them away.
- 4?? Jaw clenches – And if not the eyes, the jaw often clenches a bit to signal the effort of remaining still and keeping the breath moving.
- 5?? Fingertips and toes straighten – If all else is being controlled, usually the extremities will be outside of their awareness and will respond to too much intensity with extension.
Whether it’s you giving the massage or getting the massage, paying attention to these cues (and backing off a bit when they show up) is going to lead to a better massage experience.
It’s important to remember that more pressure is not necessarily better – and that especially holds true once you start getting these signs from the body.
Make your work firstly about soothing the nervous system and do your best to avoid getting these responses.
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