Tried a new facial massage technique from a workshop and it backfired

I went to a class in Phoenix last month where they taught a specific jaw release move, holding pressure for a full 90 seconds. I tried it on three regular clients with tension, and all three said it made their jaw ache worse for a couple days after. I thought I was following the steps right, but the result was the opposite of relaxing. Has anyone else had a technique from training just not work out in their own room?

3 comments

3 Comments

evac891mo ago

That sounds so frustrating, especially when you're trying to help. Sometimes those intense holds need way less pressure than they teach, or the client needs to be more warmed up first. Maybe try cutting the hold time in half next time and see if that changes the result? What did the workshop leader say when you told them it caused more pain?

finleyw991mo ago

Man, that's rough. Those long holds can be way too intense if someone isn't ready for it. Maybe the workshop leader demoed it on themselves and their own tension level is just different? You'd think they'd warn you about possible backlash. What's the point of a technique that leaves people hurting for days?

holly4201mo ago

Wait, it caused MORE pain? That's awful. I agree with evac89 about trying way less pressure, but if someone's hurting for days after, that's a real problem. What kind of workshop doesn't teach you how to avoid that?