Work Smarter, Not Harder

It’s a familiar phrase—and an important one for massage therapists. Our work requires us to be mindful of both our client’s body and our own. We want to deliver effective treatments with the right amount of pressure, glide, and stretch, while also supporting our own bodies through intentional body mechanics.

Getting Pressure Without Strain

The core principle of applying pressure efficiently is to align your center of gravity over your point of contact. For example: if you’re gliding up the lamina groove with your hand, position your shoulder directly over your hand. This creates a straight line of force and allows gravity to assist you, rather than relying only on muscle strength.

Redefining Pressure

Before going further, let’s get clear on what “pressure” means. Pressure is a subjective experience for the client—it’s how their nervous system interprets compressive forces on their tissues. Different receptors respond to stretch, torsion, vibration, and temperature, creating an experience about their body.

As therapists, we simply hold up a “microphone” so the body can speak. The client then interprets that information, and together we work toward reducing pain, easing tension, improving movement, and increasing well-being.

Because of this subjectivity, there’s no universal definition of “light,” “medium,” or “deep” pressure. The key is clear communication with your client.

Tools and Contact Points

Back to our lamina groove example: lowering your height and using your elbow instead of your hand gives you more stability and efficiency. Here, you’re also changing the tool you use.

• A broader surface area (like a flat forearm) diffuses the sensation and feels more tolerable.

• A smaller surface area (like the point of an elbow) sharpens the sensation and is often interpreted as “deeper.”

This approach allows you to give the client the experience they want—without expending more energy or necessarily reaching deeper tissue layers. Remember: the client’s subjective experience can be just as powerful as the techniques we choose.

The Power of Sinking

So far we have:

1. Center of Gravity over Point of Contact

2. Decrease Your Point of Contact

And now, the key to delivering effective pressure and protecting your own body: Sink.

Once you’re set up—elbow in place, shoulder stacked—shift your weight and sink into your hips and heels. Give your bodyweight over to your point of contact, and lean in so it almost feels like the client is holding you up.

A second point of contact (on the client or table) helps with balance. The more you sink, lean, and stay light on your feet, the more pressure your client will feel. Slow down, use less lubricant, and repeat the same pass 2–4 times for best results.

Try It Out

Experiment with sinking during your next session and notice the difference in both your body and your client’s response. Working smarter, not harder, keeps both therapist and client feeling their best.