Barefoot Deep Tissue
also known as Compressive Deep Tissue, or Barefoot Sports Massage, is a blend of Eastern barefoot techniques, such as Barefoot Shiatsu Massage, coupled with Western manual medicine, encompassing Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, Trigger Point Therapy, transverse friction, compression, tension, shear, PNF, stretching and other techniques.
While a superficial swedish massage can be very relaxing and therapeutic, to manipulate muscle, fascia, tendons and other tissues more deeply and effectively (and more cost-effectively), massage needs to be applied deeper (with more force, but typically less pressure than that using an elbow or thumb) and with various techniques. The heel, sesamoid, arch or whole plantar surface of foot are used, as well as thumb work, depending on the shape or pressure required. The therapist may be standing or sitting, depending on the angles required. Sensitive feet are excellently effective for such compression and shear work, which can send the client into parasympathetic response, while also working toward the goal to "fix pain" and improve function.
Effects of Barefoot Compression Massage which serve to:
* relax, soften and lengthen hypertonic muscles
* eliminate metabolites and toxins from muscles, veins and lymph channels
* increase cellular nutrition – released histamines dilate capillaries
* accelerate nerve firing – acetylcholine release
* accelerate healing – stimulates procollagen fiber formation
* increase blood circulation
* reduce pain and improve range of motion – ischemic pressure inhibits/ eliminates trigger points
* accelerate muscle healing and recovery
* feel good during – vagal tonus and parasympathetic dominance
* feel good after – altered mood (hypnogogic trance) caused by compressions of Ruffini nerve endings transducing endogenous morphines, cannabinoids and other neurotransmitters of altered states
Performing Barefoot Deep Tissue Typical sessions may last 2 minutes concentrating on a specific problem area, or an hour or two for a general full-body treatment, or some combination in between. When desired, stretching, repositioning, elbow or hand work is also easy to accomplish.
Tools may be as minimal as a floor mat and several pillows.
Barefoot Deep Tissue allows the therapist to apply:
* broader range of pressure
* wider range of bearing angles
* more force
* more concentration
* more time
* less strain for therapist
* minimal set up time
* more choices of positions for client and practitioner
Performing Barefoot Deep Tissue ...to manipulate tissue, perform passive stretch and assess range of motion. Thus the principles of Trigger Point Therapy, Myofascial Release, and various Sports Massage and Deep Tissue and even cross-fiber friction (deep transverse friction) techniques may be applied more effectively, producing more therapeutic progress and healing per session for the more sophisticated and demanding clients, such as professional dancers, athletes and musicians. Just like "riding a bicycle", once you experience this modality, it will be hard to go back to just "walking". ... source:trisoma.com
