What is Deep Tissue Acupressure Massage

Deep Tissue Acupressure Massage (DTAM) is Yumi Ridsdale’s uniquely original style of massage. The treatment principle is based on Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the technique is a combination of Chinese Tui Na, Five Elements Acupressure, Thai Massage, Japanese Shiatsu, and Yoga Therapy. It gently encourages the body to stretch while deep pressure is given.  

  • Acupressure – Acupressure is basically an Acupuncture treatment without a needle. Instead, practitioner uses her finger, palm and other body parts to apply pressure. It stimulates the energetic channels and facilitates healthy circulation of Qi.  
  • Tui Na – Tui Na is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine which mainly uses practitioner’s own body parts such as palm, fingers and elbows. The practitioner brushes, kneads, rolls, presses, and rubs the areas to attempt to open the body’s Defensive Qi and activate the Qi into the muscle and joints.   
  • Shiatsu – The Japanese Ministry of Health defines shiatsu as “a form of manipulation by  thumbs, fingers and palms without the use of instruments, mechanical or otherwise, to apply  pressure to the human skin to correct internal malfunctions, promote and maintain health, and treat specific diseases. The techniques used in shiatsu include stretching, holding, and most commonly, leaning body weight into various acupoints along the key channels. “ 
  • Gua Sha Scraping – Gua Sha is a scraping method using a flat ceramic or wooden plate to manipulate the stagnated area of the body. It is useful when a patient has pain and discomfort in the limbs and the back as well as when the person has a cold and flu.  
  • Cupping – Cupping has receives special attention because some Olympic athletes had cupping marks on their bodies. It releases pathogens from muscle layers to treat pain and stiffness by placing cups creating a vaccume on the areas of pain.  
  • Foot Reflexology – Chinese Medicine believes Micro-Theory, in which a specific area of the body reflects the map of the entire body. Foot Reflexology follows the basic treatment principle of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and applying pressure to the reflex points on the soles of the feet as well as applying pressure to acupuncture points on and around the feet to achieve stress reduction, a refreshed feeling tired feet and legs, and Yin and Yang balance. 

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How Can Deep Tissue Acupressure Massage Help Me?

Just like other forms of massages, DTAM applies pressure along major muscles. It is deep pressure. Moreover, DTAM follows Chinese energy channels, or meridians, and treats according to the Chinese Medicine theory. For example, when a channel is obstructed with pathogenic dampness, it feels heavy and tired. For this condition, a practitioner uses specific channels along with the areas of concern, so the root pathogens are easily moved out of the body. Some Yoga-like stretching is also applied to achieve the opening of channels. 

What Are Common Symptoms that Deep Tissue Acupressure Massage Can Treat?

Pain:

  • Acute or chronic
  • Muscle pain and stiffness
  • Lack of mobility
  • Heaviness and sluggishness of limbs. 
  • Damage due to overuse or repetitive movements 

Digestive Disorders:

  • Indigestion, slow digestion, bloating and pain of abdomen 
  • Constipation or diarrhea
  • Weight gain or loss 

Circulatory Disorders:

  • Water retention in legs 
  • Numbness in limbs  

Disorders related to emotional and autonomic nervous system:

  • Depression, mood disorders 
  • Fatigue
  • Stress 

Neurological Disorders:

  • Post stroke paralysis 
  • Other mobility issues            

What are the Benefits of Deep Tissue Acupressure Massage?

  • It is a deep massage that gets into the knots themselves. 
  • It uses yoga stretching techniques (Yumi is also a Yoga instructor) to improve the range of motion 
  • It assists the muscle to recover from overuse
  • It moves stagnant pathogenic energy so you will feel a lightness after the treatment
  • Individuals with physically demanding, stationary, or high stress jobs can benefit from this style of massage, as can people without those conditions
  • For relaxation, foot reflexology is the best option 

I am Already Seeing a Practitioner, Why Should I Try Deep Tissue Acupressure Massage?

This style of Massage is Yumi’s uniquely developed style. You will not find anywhere else. If you find other types of massages that do not take the issues away, it would be a good idea to try this style. It is based on Chinese Medicine, so it gets to the root of health issues. The intention is not only relaxing the muscle and other soft tissues, but also opening the appropriate energetic channels and enhancing the circulation of Qi and blood which will lead to overall relaxation of the entire body. It is deep and dynamic massage, and it is a especially useful massage if you have limited range of motion. 

What Should I Expect During the Deep Tissue Acupressure Massage? 

  • DTAM is clothes-on massage. Please wear or bring in loose fitting clothes. 
  • DTAM happens on a large mat on the floor. Yumi will stretch parts of youer body while applying deep pressure.     
  • DTAM does not use oil. It is dry massage unless pain ointment is indicated for use. 
  • DTAM is a whole body treatment. Please let Yumi know if there is any area that you don’t wish to be touched.
  • DTAM foot reflexology is done on bare feet, and a cream or oil is used.    
  • Cupping and Gua Sha treatments can leave bruises depending on the of the condition. They should disappear in a week. 
  • After DTAM, clients are recommended to take a bath. 

Is Traditional Chinese Medicine covered by insurance?

Yes. This style of massage is a type of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine treatments.