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You will be using your body in a way different from when you apply Swedish massage techniques, so you might find it useful to read through these guidelines relating to the use of forearms, fists and elbows. When using your fists to apply strokes in deep tissue massage it is best to avoid applying pressure while these joints are unsupported. As with other joints, it is safer to keep your wrist joint in a neutral position when using fisting to apply deep tissue massage strokes.
Elbows are commonly used as part of a deep tissue massage routine. Identify the spot you wish to treat and touch it with your elbow, keeping your elbow flexed (a). Using elbows certainly facilitates the application of deep pressure, but such pressure doesn’t have to be deep.