Deep Tissue Massage

.and Myofascial Release

A Video Guide to Techniques

Art Riggs
Certified Advanced Rolfer'" C M.T.

DEEP TISSUE MASSAGE A D MYOFASC IAL RELEASEA VIDEO GUIDE TO TECH IQ UES
W ELCOM E
T hank yo u for purcha sing this referenc e guide that you will be able to use for yea rs
to co me. Plea se tak e a few minutes to read the follow ing suggestio ns to enha nce
your learning exp erience.
NAVIGATING: If view ing inVHS format, set your machine to zero at the beginning o f th e welcom e scree n. Thi s way yo u ca n use th e collec tio n as a reference
when you need to review treatm ent suggestions fo r the situations yo u enco unt er
with yo ur clients. Fast forward (o r chose the ap pro priate cha pter from yo ur DVD
forma t) to th e app ro priate tim e listed for subject titles.

O RGAN IZ AT IO N : T he mat eria l is o rga nized int o three parts.

FUNDAM ENTALS (Tapes 1 and 2 )
STRATEG IES (Tapes 3- 5)
TR O UBLESH O OTI GfT REAT MENT OF I J URI ES (Ta pes 6 an d 7)
VIEW ING : Upo n first viewing, it's best to watch the tap es in the ord er th ey ar e
p rese nte d. As temp tin g as it m ight be to ski p a he ad to the ST RATEG IES o r
T ROUBLES HOOTING/T REAT ING INJ URI ES sectio ns, th e know ledge pre sente d bu ilds up on itse lf an d assu mes kno w ledge of th e cr uc ial sk ills of to uc h
presented in the FU DAM ENTALS sectio n.
PACI N G: Don 't ex pect to view large segments at one tim e; practice eac h part
with a friend befo re go ing o n. T he info rmati on is intend ed to stimulate thou gh t
a nd a llow yo u to ex periment w it h ho w to use th e mat eria l in yo ur own wa y.
Great ca re is tak en N OT to o ffer fo rmalistic recipes but to give a large number of
suggestions: " the seeds to plant your w hea t, rather than just a loa f of brea d."
Enjoy the Videos !!!!
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FUN DAMENTALS OF DEEP T ISSUE MASSAG E

AN D MYOFASCIAL RELEASE-TAPE 1
0:00 M ain Screen
0: 16 Sectio n 1. Fundamentals of Deep Tissue Massage
a nd M yofascial Rclcasc- Ta pe 1
4 : 14 Cultiva ting Your To uch
M ost people are ab le to de termine the sk ill of a massage therapist within the first
two min utes of a massage. All the fancy strokes in t he world will be useless witho ut a n urturing, co nf ide nt , a nd effec tive tou c h. Lea rn ing how to wo rk w ith tissue-s-especially ho w to lengthen tissue rath er than just co mpr essing it-is essential.
T his sectio n will cove r the efficient use of energy t hroug h proper biom echan ics,
cul tiva tion of palpation sensitivity, ho w to wo rk safely, and propcr use of finge rs,
knuckles, and fist.
7:44 Lubrication
9:30 Pa lpa tion-Locat ing Differ ent Levels of Tension
10:20 Palp at ing t he So leus Muscle T hro ugh th e Gastro cnemius
Mu scle
12 :3 7 Pa lpatin g the Hi p Rot ato rs T hrough t he G lute us M axirnu s
M uscle

12:46 Anatomy Drauiing: D eep Rotators of tbe Fell/ III'

15:2 8 Biom echanics- Tab le Height
18:38 Biom echanics-P rop er Workin g Distan ce fro m Client
20 :13 Ca vca ts-i-Arcas for Ca utio n
Th ese videos ass ume tha t viewers ha ve been tra ined in the co ntraindi ca rion s a nd
proper safety of massage. In order to work with confidence, it is necessary to feel
co mfortable with the terrain . Ma ny st udents have trepidation about working around
a reas that req uire ca uti o n, a nd t his tr ans lates into a tentative or fear ful to uch.
M a ny times th e ver y a reas th at req uire ca ut io n a re t he sa me o ncs t ha t ma y be
th e key to pro vidin g relief for yo ur clients . T his section will add ress ma ny o f th e
a reas t hat req uire ca ution (so me which a re listed as "off-lim its" in initial ma ssage
trainings ), but that you shou ld be fam iliar w ith in orde r to work with a confident
and nurtur ing to uch
34:24 H ip Replacement Safety Restriction s

39:26 Anatomy Drawin g: Thoracic Outlet

52:0 9 Too ls of Massage
Any time t hat you are stra ining in yo ur work, yo u risk in jury to yourself an d pos sible discomfort or injury to yo ur client. This section will present a hierarchy of
increas ing ly powerful tools for your use. Later sections will cover specific sugges - 2-

rion s for treatment to each parr of th e bod y, but for now, the em phasis will be on
th e proper use o f th ese too ls by having yo u prac tice wherever specific too ls w ill
best be demo nstra ted .
52:2 0 Proper Use of Fingers
55 :42 Finger Wor k on the Chest
57: 19 A natom y Dratoing: Pectoralis Majol

57:42 Anatomy Dra ioing: Pectoralis lvIillor

58 :48 Finger Wo rk on the Elbow
I:00:58 H yper-Ext ended Fingers
I:02:2 8 Finger Altern at ives

1:02:48 Ana tomy Dratoing: lnteru ert ebral M uscles

1:05 :03 Avoiding Thumb Use
T he th umbs are a wond erful too l for ma ny massage strokes, bur th ey a re also
vulne rab le to injury th at may result in the inabil ity to co nt inue ma ssage. It is best
to save your thum bs for lighter work a nd cultivate skills in the use of knuckles and
oth er tool s that pro vide mor e power with the sa me degree of sensitivity. All it takes
is practice and a co nscious avo ida nce of th e thumb s in areas where they are vu lnerabl e.
I:08:04 Pro per Use of the Knuckles
1:09:56 Knuckle Use on the Hand s
I: I I:29 Knuckle Work on the Ankl e

I: 1 1:34 Anatomy Drawing: Ank le Retin aculum

I: 14:30 Knuck le Wor k in the Spina l Groove
I: 15:33 Impro per Use of the Knuckles
I : I6:54 Knuckl e Work on the Occipi tal Ridge
I : 17:0 I A natomy Drawing: Sub-Occipital M uscles

I : I8:40 Anatomy Drawing: Muscles and Fascia of tbe Shull

I : 19:31 Wor king with the Fist
1:2 1:22 Fist Work on the Should er Girdl e and Arm
I:23:04 Fist Work on Large Mu scle Groups
1:24: 35 Fist Work on th e Iliotibial Band
1:26 :20 Imp rop er Use of the Fist
1:27:55 Closing Screens

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FUND AMENTALS O F DEEP T ISSUE MASSAGE AND

MYOFASCIAL RELEASE-TAPE 2
0:0 0 M a in Screen
0: 16 Section I, Funda me nta ls o f Deep T issue Massa ge
a nd Myofasc ia l Release- Ta pe 2
This tap e completes the first sectio n, " Funda me nt a ls of Deep T issue M assage and
M yofa sc ial Release."
0:22 Pro per Use o f the Forea rm (To ols o f M assage, co ntin ued fro m Ta pe 1)
4 :32 Fo rea rm Wor k o n th e Back
7:5 6 For ea rm Work o n th e Hi p and Ilioti bial band
9:32 Pro per Use of the Elbow
13: 18 Types of Stro kes and Strategies
14 :2 6 Lo ngitu d ina l Lengthenin g Strokes
17:46 Deco mpr essing a J oint
20: 5 1 Facilita tin g Sho rtening-The Ank le
2 3:29 Facilitating Sho rt ening- T he Wr ist
24:4 3 Facilitatin g Length eni ng a nd Anc ho r and Stret ch Strokes

27:28 A natomy Drauiing: A n terior Sho ulder Girdle ill Stretch

28:4 7 Ancho r a nd Str etc h or Fac ilitating Lengthen ing- Lower Bod y
32 :04 Anc hor a nd Stre tc h o r Facilita ting Length eni ng-Th e H a mst rings
a nd Pelvis
34:3 1 Freeing Mu scles fro m Ent rap ment - T he Ca lf
36 :5 5 Cross Fiber St rok es

37:02 A na tom y Dratoing: Rh omboid M uscles

39:20 A na tomy Dratoin g: Rotat or Cuff
39 :40 A nato my Dratoing: Infraspinatu s M uscle
40 :16 A na tomy Dratoin g: Piriformis and Deep Rotators of the Leg
4 1:3 8 Freeing Mu scles fro m Entra pme nt- T he Erecto r Spinae Mu scles
44 : 14 Free ing Mu scles fro m Entra pment- T he Quad riceps Mu scles

44:25 A na tomy Dratoing: Q uadriceps M uscles

45:30 Free ing M uscles fro m Entra pme nt- T he Ste rnocleido mas to id

45:40 A na tomy Dratuing: Sternocleidomastoid M uscles

47:55 Sepa ra ting Mu scle co m part me nts-T he Iliotibi al Band

4 8:06 A nato my Drai uing: Tensor Fascia La tae and Iliotibial Band
5 1:10 Separa ting M uscle Co m pa rt me nts - T he Gastrocnemius a nd
H a mst rings
5 1:2 1 A natomy Draioing: Gas trocnem ius M uscle
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5 1:40 A nato my D ratoing: Hamstring M llscles

53 :29 Importance of Body Positioning

55:26 Anatomy Drawing: Rhom boid ,VIllscles

58:25 Body Positionin g-The Lower Leg
1:0 I:55 Body Positioning-Supine Ha mstring Work
1:05 :2 1 Body Positioning- T he Forearm
1:06 :54 Body Positioning-The Triceps and Pecto ralis Ma jor M uscles
1:07:05 Anatomy Dratoing: Anterior Shoulder Girdle
1:09: 11: T he Side-Lying Position
I: 10:48 Side-Lying Addu ctor Work
1: I 0:55 Anatomy Dratoing: A dduc tor M uscles
1: 13:52 Expanded Side-Lying Possibilities
1: 14:49 Anatomy Dratoing: Qlladmtlls Luntborunt
I : 17:04 Ana tomy Draioing: Subscapularis

I: I8:50 Closing Screens

STRATEGIES OF DEEP T ISSUE MASSAGE

AN D M YOFASC IAL RELEASE-TAPE 3
0:00 Main Screen
0: 17 Section II, Stra tegies of Deep Tissue Mas sage
and M yofascial Release-Tap e 3
Tape 3 begins the first of three parts of Section II: "Stra tegies of Deep Tissue Massage and M yofascial Release." Emp hasis will shift to accomplishing thera peut ic
goa ls using the fun damental skills of to uch, biomechanics, and stroke selection
demonstrated in Section I.
I:22 Working with the Legs and Feet
Lack of mobility or dysfunction in the feet or legs can have profound effects upon
the whole body. Strategies for providing bette r balance an d prop er function of the
weight-bear ing joints will benefit your clients long after they have left your ta ble.
I:28 Workin g with the Foot and Ank le- Supine
5:55 Bony Articu lat ions of the Foot

8: 19 A natomy Drawing: A nkle Retin aculum

11: 1I Working with the Plantar Surface of the Foot
14:52 Wo rking with the lower leg-Su pine

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16:20 A natomy Drawing: Tibialis Anterior

20 :56 Prone Work with th e Ga stro cnemius, Soleus, Achi lles Tendon, and
Plant ar Sur face of the Foot
21 :08 A natomy Drawing: Gastrocnemius M uscle
25 : 17 Freeing Mu scles fro m Deep Restrictions
28 :06 Wor king w ith the Achi lles Tendon
3 1:33 Wor king w ith th e Q uad riceps Mu scles
3 1:42 A natomy Drawing: Qu ad/7ceps M uscles
35: 19 Soften ing and Sepa ratin g th e Iliot ibial Band from Adjacent M uscle
Gro ups

35:30 Anatomy Draw ing: Tensor Fascia and Iliotibial Band

39 :59 Supine H amstrin g Work
43:57 Hip Tra cking
45: 15 Joint M obilization
Thi s short section can have pro found impact on the success of your practice. Learning to work with the joint s to unw ind restr ictions can offer freedom that is impossible to achieve just by work ing on the muscles. T he techniques demonstrated on the
hip can be a pplied to all parts of the body.
49 :19 Wo rkin g with the Posterior Knee
52 :04 Pron e H amstring Work

52:11 A natomy Drawing: Hamstring M uscles

58:I S Pron e Iliot ibial Band Work
1:0 1:20 Working with th e Medial Leg-In Side-Lying Position
I:07:25 Work ing with th e Lat eral Leg-In Side-Lying Position
I: 13:35 Th e Tensor Fascia Latae'
I: 13:44 A natomy Drawing: Tensor Fascia Latae and Iliotibia l Band
I: 17:27 Factors T ha t Influence Pelvic Stability
An understan din g o f th e vecto rs o f stra in upon th e pelvis is crucial to plannin g a
stra tegy for pro viding balance to the pelvis.
1:23:27 T he Pelvis
1:23:34 Th e Sacrum
1:26:40 T he Glntea ls
I :2 9:56 Externa l Rot ato rs of the Legs
I:30:03 Ana tomy Draw ing: Piriformis and Rotator M uscles
1:35 :25 T he Cocc yx and Sacro tubero us Ligament
I:42:0 8 Closing Screens

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ST RATEGIES FO R DEEP TISSUE M ASSAGE

AN D MYOFASCIAL RELEASE- TAPE 4
0:00 M ain Screen
0:10 Section II , Stra tegies for Deep T issue Mass age
and Myofascial Release- Tape 4
Tap e 4 is the second of the th ree-part section on "Stra tegies of Deep Tissue Ma ssage
and M yofascial Release" and will cove r the pelvis, trunk, and back .
0: 17 Work ing with the Q uadratus Lum borum-Prone (T he Pelvis,
co nt inued from Tape 3 )
0:25 A natom y Dra toing: Q uadratus Lum boru nt
4:30 Work ing wit h the Q uadra tus Lumb orum-Side-Lying
10: 18 Iliotibial Band an d Q uadratus Lumbo rum Options
12:4 1 T he Anterior Pelvis an d Abdo men
12:52 Breathing Pattern s
13:29 Inspiration-Fixed Breathing Patt ern
14:43 Expira tion-Fixed Breathing Patt ern
16:03 Tho racic Breathing Pattern
17:20 Working with th e Abdom en and Breath
24 :04 Wo rk ing wit h th e Psoas Mu scle
24: 10 A natomy Dratoing: Psoas and Iliacus M uscles
33:37 Advanc ed Psoas Op tions
36:30 Work ing with the Iliacus Mu scle
36:36 A natomy Dra ioing: Psoas and Iliacus
4 1:54 Balancing the Pelvis
45 :4 1 Working with th e Back
45 :48 Int roduction ro th e Back
50:56 Mech an isms of Vert ebral M ovem ent
To free up the spine , it is cruc ial to unders ta nd how verte brae a rticulate w ith each
oth er, both statically and in movement. If you und erstand th e plan es of arti culat io n, you w ill be a ble to fo rm a strategy for your work a nd utili ze po siti oning
options.
1:04:49 Vert ebra l Mob ilization-The Low er Back
1:04 :55 A na tom y Drato ing: Paraspinal M uscles
1:0 8:4 7 Verte bra l M obi lization- Th e T horacic Area
I: 12:58 Rib Movement
1: 15:25 Working with the Ribs-Pro ne
I :22 :45 Combining Work on the Back in the Pron e Position
1:31: I I Th e Upper Back
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1:3 I: 19 A na tomy Dratoing: Rh omboid M uscle

I:36 :53 Side-Lying Work o n the Back
Th is is one of the most important sections for giving freedo m to th e bac k mus cles
an d spine, T he Side-Lying position affor ds many possibi lities to work in back exten sion, flexion, and ro ta tion that are im poss ible to ac hieve in the pro ne posi tion .
1:37:44 The " C-Cut\ 'e" or Feta l Positio n
1:41 :26 Work ing with th e Back in Extens ion
I:44 :43 Rot at ion al Possibilities
I:50 :45 Exp and ing Rotatio na l Possibilities
I:52 :44 Closing Screens

ST RAT EGIES OF DEEP T ISSUE MASSAGE

AN D MYOFASCIAL RELEASE - TAPE 5
0:00 M ain Screen
0 : 17 Sectio n 2, Stra tegies of Deep T issue Ma ssage
and M yofa scia l Relea se- Tape 5
Ta pe 5 co mpletes the th ree-part " Stra tegies of Deep Tissue M assage an d M yo fasciaI Release" section of thi s series, covering the sho ulde r gird le, chest, arms, neck,
and head,
0:23 Working with the Shoulder Gir dle
0:2 8 Freeing the Scap ula an d Working with the Rotator Cuff- Pro ne
2:19 A na to my Screen: Rotat or Cu ff M uscles

2 :48 A natomy Dra toiug: Rotator Cliff M uscles

9:5 1 Th e M edia l Scapula
11:39 Side-Lying Sho ulder Gird le Wo rk- Th e Late ra l Scap ula
18: 15 Impl ementin g the Side-Lying Position - Th e Upper Shou lder Girdle

22 :27 A na tomy Drau/i ng: Pectoralis Major

24 : I I Supine Chest Wor k

27 :28 A natomy Dratoing: Pectoralis Mi llor

3 1:12 Wor king with th e Osseous Co mpo nents o f the C hest- T he Rib s
33: 34 M o bilizing the First Rib
37 :15 Ar m Work-Upper Arm, Elbo w an d Forearm, Wr ist and Ha nd
37: 2 1 T he Upper Arm
4 1:06 T he Elbo w and Fo rearm
46:05 Th e Wrist and Hand

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4 9:4 7 Working with the N eck and H ead

4 9:53 Nec k Work -Prun e
5 1:12 Anatomy Drawing: Deep Thorac ic and Ceru ical Mllscles
55:43 Neck Work-Supine

56:28 Anatomy Dratoin g: Scalene Mus cles

1:00: 17 Anatomy Drawing: Stenocleidomastoid M llscle
I :02:46 A natomy Drawing Digasti c M uscle

I:04:12 Posterio r

eck-Sup ine Posit ion

I:08 :32 T he Skull

I :0 8:39 A nato my Drawing: Ivutscles and Fascia of the Skull

I: 14:42 A natomy Drawing Sub-Occiptial M uscles

I:17:04 Closi ng Screens

TRO UBLESHOOTI GAD WORKI NG WITH

INJURI ES-TAPE 6
0:00 M ain Screen
0: I I Sectio n III , Tro ubleshoo ting and Wor king With Injuri es
Tap e 6 comprises the first half o f Section III, the "Tro ubleshoot ing and In jur ies"
section. T he strategies of Section II are refined into more precise proroco ls for dealing wit h complaints tha t your client s bring ro your practice.
I: 15 Realistic Goa ls- Know your Limitati ons
3:23 Th e Emo tiona l Compo nent of Treatm ent
6: 17 Empo wermem-Helping Your Clients to H elp Themselves
8:06 P.N .F. Stretches
Proprioceptive Neuromuscu lar Facilitation techn iques can add another extremely
effect ive rool ro your practice to improve mob ility of the [oinrs.
14:08 P. . F. Stretches fo r Rot ation of the Femur
17: 19 Injuri es to th e Feet and Ank les
17:25 Working with An kle Spra ins
24: 12 Plantar Fasciaitis
30:06 Achilles Tendonitis and Work ing with Planta r Fasciairis-e-Pronc
33:38 Wor king in Gravi ty-Pla ntar Fasciaitis, Achilles Tendo nitis, Ankle Spra ins
Injuries ro the feet and ankles behave very differentl y in weight bearing. Learning
to work wit h feet while your client is sta nding is an effective way of dealing with the

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prop rioc ep tive resp o nses a nd reprod uc ing t he situa tio ns th at ca use pain, ena bling
yo u to increase yo ur effective ness a nd begi n p robl em so lving,
4 1:15 In juries to the Legs
41 :2 1 Shin Splints
44 :02 Working with the Knee
50 :3 1 upine Strategies for the Knee

50 :37 Anatomy Dra ioing: Quadriceps and Adductor Muscles

55:33 Prone Stra tegies for the Knee

55 :39 A na tomy Drawing: Hamstring M uscles

1:02: 16 Side-Lying Strategies for th e Knee
I:04 :49 Side-Lying Abd uctor a nd Ad d uctor St ra teg ies for the Knee
I:0 8:53 Intro du ction to Knee Stre ngt he ning
Alth ou gh righmess is o ften a co nt rib uting factor in joint pa in, so metimes it is wea kness of specific muscles th at causes dysfunctio n. Nor every massage th erap ist wi ll
wish to address this issue , bur we will use the knee to dernonsrrare how one goes
about addressing weakness issues in working with injuries.
I: 10: 17 Knee Strengthening- Isometric
I: 12:20 Knee Strengthening-Straight Leg Lifts
1:15 :34 Knee Strengthening-Short Arc Quad riceps Sets
I: 16:4 8 Str a teg ies for Wo rking with Hip Repl acem ent s
Since ma n y option s fo r tr eating the hip ar e sho w n in ea rlier videos, th is sec tio n
foc uses up on sa fety so th a t yo u ca n work w ith co nfide nce w ith in th e pa ram eters
fo r safe m o vem ent. Fo r more d etail s a bo ut sa fety facto rs in wo rk ing wi th hi p
rep lacem ents a nd o the r co nd itions, review the " Ca veats" sec tion of Ta pe I.
1:21 :5 7 Pirif orm is Syndrome and Trea tme nt o f Scia tica

1:22:02 A na to my Dratuing: Piriformis and Deep Rotators of the Fem ur

I:31: 4 9 Worki ng wi th a nd around Back Pain
1:3 8:04 Closing creens

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TR O UBLESH O OTING AND WORKING WITH

INJ URI ES-TAPE 7
0:00 M a in creen
0: II Section lll , Troubl esho oting and Working with Injuries - Tape 7
Tape 7 concludes the "Troubleshooting and Injuries" section and offers suggestions for working with back pain, neck pain, the shoulder girdle/rotator cuff, and
ar ms.
0:22 Side-Lying Back Wurk (Wo rking with and around Back Pain.
co nt inued from Ta pe 6)
Side -lying is th e sa fest a nd mo st effective posit ion for trea ting acut e an d chro nic
hack pain . It requires o nly sma ll adju st ments to wo rk in a pain -free postu re, a nd
allows fur frequ en t move ments to keep your client fro m becom ing stiff.
8: 12 Str at egies for Treatin g Back Pain in th e Supine Positi on
8: 18 Wor king wi th the Psoas Muscle

8:24 A nato my Drawing: Psoas and Iliacus Musc les

II :44 Strengthening Alternatives for Back Pain

13:37 Treating

eck Pain a nd Whiplash

19:04 Injuries to th e Sho ulder

19: I 0 Ana tomy Drawin g: Rotator Cuf] Mu scles

19:26 Anatomy Drawin g: Rotator Cuf] Mu scles

29: 12 Treating th e Rot at or C uff in t he Pron e Positi on
36: 40 Side-Lying Sho ulde r G ird le Wor k
41 :0 9 Sho ulder Flex ibility Exerci ses
45:20 Shou lder Strengt hen ing Exercises
52 :47 Injuries to th e Ar m-Golfers ' a nd Te nnis Elbo w, and Ca rpa l T unnel
Syndrome
1:00 : 12 T horacic O utlet Syndrome
1:00: 16 Anatomy Dratoing: Thoracic Outlet

1:08: I2 Anatomy Draioing: Pectoralis M ilIOII: 10: 55 Working in the Sea ted Positi on
Somet imes client s will need time to accommoda te the benefits of yo ur wo rk when
th ey sta nd up in gravity aft er a sessio n. Ju st a few minutes of work in t he sea ted
position ca n acco m plish benefits th at a re not possibl e in the hori zon tal position .
I: II :00 The Upp er Back
I: 19:3 3 Freein g th e Scap ula
I:24:21 Closing Screens
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Deep Tissue Massage

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A Visual Guide to Techniques

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"Deep Tissue Massage and Myofascial

Release: A Video Guide to Techniques"
is the video accompanyment to Deep Tissue
Massage: A Visual Guide to Techniques.

www.deeptissuemassagemanual.com
deeptismassage@aol.com

(510)482 -2036
20 0 3 Art Riggs Publishi ng. All rights reserved .