Deep Tissue Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques

by Art Riggs

Featuring more than 250 photographs and 50 anatomical drawings, Deep Tissue Massage is the standard guide to the essentials of touch, biomechanics, and positioning options for a multitude of strategies to treat all major conditions encountered in a bodywork practice.

The book is divided into three sections. “Fundamentals” covers basic skills of palpation, explaining the deeper layers of the body and presenting detailed instruction on working with these layers to release tension. This section gives clear information on the proper use of knuckles, fist, forearms, and elbows in preventing injury to the therapist. “Strategies” offers more precise protocols and treatment plans for the entire body with emphasis on client positioning options to stretch muscles rather than just kneading tissues. “Caveats” details areas in which the practitioner needs to exercise caution.

Deep Tissue Massage presents a wealth of information in a way the therapist can immediately utilize. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and includes a preface to the new edition, a foreword, an index, a Suggested Reading list, and extended sections on integrating deep-tissue massage into bodywork practice and the psychology of treating injuries.

Genres: Nonfiction, Health

150 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2002

Reviews

[Kirstie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this text would be a wonderful addition to any advanced massage therapy class or deep tissue curriculum. It made me wish 1,000 times more that my program had included a class dedicated to deep tissue techniques. This book makes clear the fact that "deep tissue" does NOT just mean "deep pressure." Art Riggs emphasizes the use of alternative positioning, active movement, and the use of the practitioners knuckles, elbows, etc. for massage techniques that are truly therapeutic. In order to apply the techniques in this book, the therapist must have a strong understanding of muscle location and layering, muscle action, postural assessment, reciprocal inhibition, etc. If you can't read the text without having to struggle with these concepts, it's not really possible to apply these techniques in a meaningful way. The pictures throughout are well chosen and helpful in demonstrating postural patterns and application of the techniques. This book makes me so excited to some day study with Art Riggs. I think this will really change the way I practice massage.

[Jason Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a standard read in the Deep Tissue world. Art has crafted an in-depth look into what it takes to be a skilled practitioner that can access deeper layers of the body. His easy to understand writing and wonderful illustrations add to his overall approach. I’ve used this book to refer back to for years and tell my student therapists to go cover to cover with it. Thanks for continuing to update this with new additions, Art!

[Msimone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this book is a manual for massage therapists who engage in fascial manipulation to alleviate joint, muscle, and skeletal discomfort, it provides value to thel ayperson who wishes to be able to identify massage techniques that could be self-applied to alleviate pain. This is not a self-help book; yet, the explanations of how the stretching and manipulation of fascia contributes to body well-being such as the maintenance of human movement and flexibility that diminishes due to age or injury are very insightful.

Much of the book explains through photographs of patient and masseur are intended to help the masseur exercise correct technique such as the correct way to safely apply hand, knuckle, elbow, and body weight to various muscles, joint and ligaments of the patient's body. The complexity of the movements applied to the patient demand the application of a well-trained practitioner; although there are photographs of self-administered deep-tissue massage that could be applied by the patient to themselves which I would attempt.

[David Eber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun gift to give to your partner on their “special day” (along with massage oils.) ...Just after they open the books part of the gift take it from them. After all, the books need to be for you...the “gift” is the benefits they will get from your reading the book.

[Andrew Hall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much about the masseuse than the recipient

[Deirdre Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit disappointed actually.

[Elefteria Mantzorou · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a massage instructor and author, I 'll say that this book is a bible for any massage therapist. A must read!

[Linda G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for any massage therapist who practices deep tissue, or treatment related massage.

I love the author's attitude and opinions. Deep Tissue doesn't mean deeper pressure or painful massage. It means effective techniques applied to get a good release of the hypertonic muscle...

The next time a massage therapist leaves you squealing "uncle" and inappropriately bruised...recommend that they read this book, and take a good class on DTM.

[George Keenan]

I have moved on. Lots of pseudoscience in massage therapy world. A lot of that is repeated here. Could site where in this book but am not motivated to do so. Art seems like a nice enough guy. Check out https://www.somasimple.com for techniques that reflect what we now from a nervous system perspective on how pain is produce and relieved as well as how movement can be restored through manual techniques.

[Jen Marin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fabulous read, and full of useful information for any bodyworker. I found it very helpful as a refresher course in anatomy. I also learned some great new ways to reduce repetitive stress on myself so that I can keep on massaging for many years to come. I think it is a must-read for any serious bodyworker.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a bodyworker and ever get a chance to take a class with Art, do it. He is amazing!

[Me2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book and I really enjoy how deep tissue massage combines stretching with the massage to find stressed tissues.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful!

[Daryl Ghent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, easy to understand manual for massage therapist wanting to improve their skills at deep tissue massage.

[Sade Taft · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helped me pass the exam