RUB Massage Austin

Why do my hands hurt?

Your hands can hurt even when the problem starts much farther up the arm. The muscles that control your fingers and wrist are located primarily in the forearm, with the extensors on the back of the forearm helping open the wrist and fingers, and the flexors on the front helping close the hand and bend the wrist. Repetitive activities like typing, texting, gripping a steering wheel, using a mouse, or other hand-intensive work can cause these muscles to remain partially contracted for long periods of time.
Over time, this can lead to muscle tension, spasms, and sensitive trigger points that may create aching, burning, or tightness in the forearm and even refer discomfort into the wrist, hand, or fingers. Targeted therapeutic massage and trigger point work can help reduce muscular tension, improve soft-tissue mobility, and restore more comfortable movement. Sometimes the source of hand discomfort isn't in the hand at all—it may be hiding in the muscles of the forearm.

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Do you have neck pain at the attachment point just below the ear?

The mastoid process, the bony prominence located just behind and below the ear, can be an exceptionally sensitive area because it serves as an attachment site for several important muscles of the neck and head, including the sternocleidomastoid (SCM), splenius capitis, and longissimus capitis. When these muscles become overworked from prolonged computer and phone use, poor posture, stress, repetitive activity, or sustained head positioning, they can develop tight bands and trigger points that create tenderness around the base of the skull, behind the ear, along the jaw, and into the neck and head.

At Rub Massage Austin, I use carefully targeted therapeutic massage and trigger point techniques to address the surrounding muscles while working with respect for the sensitive structures in this area. By reducing excessive muscular tension, improving soft-tissue mobility, and helping these muscles return to more normal function, focused neck and upper-shoulder work can provide significant relief from muscular discomfort and help restore easier, more comfortable movement of the head and neck. Sometimes the small, overlooked areas are where the biggest sources of tension can hide.

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Trigger points aren't all the same.

An active trigger point is a particularly sensitive area within a muscle that can produce pain either locally or in another area of the body, even when the muscle isn't being directly worked.
A latent trigger point can be tender when pressed but typically doesn't cause pain during normal activity unless it's stimulated.
A satellite trigger point develops within the referral zone or area of another active trigger point and may occur when surrounding muscles are continually compensating for the original problem. Repetitive stress, overuse, poor posture, injury, and muscular imbalance can all contribute to the development of these painful areas. At Rub Massage Austin, I use targeted therapeutic massage and trigger point therapy to identify these areas and apply controlled, specific pressure designed to reduce excessive muscular tension and improve mobility.

The goal isn't simply to "dig into" a painful spot, but to understand the relationship between the involved muscles and address the underlying muscular dysfunction so the body can return to more comfortable, efficient movement.

💡 Glen's Insight

Finding a trigger point is only half the job. Knowing why it developed—and what other muscles may be involved—is where the real therapeutic work begins.

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"Deep tissue isn't a pressure competition."

Deep tissue massage is about much more than putting an elbow into someone's back. In fact, applying excessive pressure without understanding anatomy, tissue tolerance, and the client's individual condition can leave people bruised, sore, aggravated, or even injured. True deep tissue work is a thoughtful, targeted approach that uses slow, controlled pressure and specific techniques to address deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue—not simply trying to see how much pressure a client can tolerate.

At Rub Massage Austin, I choose techniques based on what your body actually needs, which may include deep tissue, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, stretching, or a combination of approaches. For clients dealing with chronic muscular tension, repetitive stress, athletic demands, or certain injuries, targeted deep tissue work can provide a more focused treatment than a traditional Swedish-style massage, which is generally designed around relaxation, gentle-to-moderate pressure, and broad, flowing strokes. That doesn't mean deep tissue is always "better" than Swedish massage—it means the right technique depends on the person, the goal, and the condition being treated. Effective deep tissue therapy isn't about how much pressure I can give you; it's about how precisely I can apply the right amount of pressure to accomplish the therapeutic goal.

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Why should you drink water after a massage?

At Rub Massage Austin, I often recommend that clients drink plenty of water after their massage, but not because massage is "flushing toxins" from your muscles—a common misconception. Your body already has highly effective systems, including your kidneys and liver, for processing metabolic waste. Instead, staying well hydrated supports normal circulation and helps your muscles and connective tissues function properly, particularly after deeper therapeutic work, stretching, or a physically demanding massage session. Some clients may also feel temporarily tired, thirsty, or mildly sore after intensive bodywork, and adequate hydration is a simple way to support the body's normal recovery processes. Think of water as part of your overall recovery routine: move gently, hydrate normally, eat well, and give your body time to respond to the work we've done. At Rub Massage Austin, I want your massage to continue benefiting you long after you leave the treatment table.

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Benefits of massage for jaw tension

Jaw tension can be a surprisingly common contributor to facial discomfort and tension headaches, particularly when the masseter and temporalis muscles become chronically tight from clenching, grinding, stress, or repetitive jaw activity. The masseter is one of the strongest muscles in the body relative to its size and is responsible for closing the jaw, while the temporalis helps elevate and stabilize the jaw during chewing. When these muscles develop excessive tension or trigger points, discomfort can be felt not only around the jaw and temples but may also refer into the forehead, behind the eyes, or other areas of the head.

At Rub Massage Austin, I use carefully targeted therapeutic massage and trigger point techniques to address tension in the jaw and surrounding muscles, helping improve soft-tissue mobility, reduce muscular tension, and encourage more comfortable jaw movement. For clients who regularly experience jaw tightness or tension-related headaches, incorporating this type of focused bodywork into their overall wellness routine can be an effective way to help manage muscular discomfort and promote relaxation throughout the head, neck, and jaw.

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Therapeutic massage, a non-drug approach to pain management.

When muscular discomfort develops from an injury, repetitive stress, overuse, or prolonged tension, therapeutic massage can provide a holistic, non-drug approach to managing pain and supporting recovery. Unlike pain medication, which primarily changes how the nervous system perceives pain, targeted bodywork addresses the muscular and soft-tissue factors that may be contributing to that discomfort.
At Rub Massage Austin, I use techniques such as deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, and assisted stretching to help reduce excessive muscular tension, improve mobility, and encourage healthy circulation around areas of discomfort. For some people, incorporating regular therapeutic massage into their recovery and wellness routine may reduce their reliance on over-the-counter pain medications for certain types of muscular soreness and tension. Massage isn't a replacement for appropriate medical care or prescribed medication, particularly following a significant injury, but it can be a valuable part of a comprehensive approach to feeling better and getting back to the activities you enjoy.

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RUB MASSAGE AUSTIN Get accessible, personalized and private therapeutic massage & bodywork from one of today’s top professionals in the industry. Say goodbye to muscular pain and discomfort and reclaim your body.

The triceps: more than just an arm muscle.

The triceps brachii is made up of three distinct muscles—the long head, lateral head, and medial head—that work together to straighten the elbow, stabilize the shoulder, and generate power during pushing movements. Whether you're lifting weights, playing tennis or pickleball, throwing a baseball, or performing repetitive tasks at work, these muscles can become overworked and develop painful trigger points. When this happens, pain isn't always limited to the back of the arm. Tight, dysfunctional triceps muscles can refer discomfort into the shoulder, down the arm toward the elbow, and may even contribute to reduced strength and limited range of motion. At Rub Massage Austin, I use targeted deep tissue massage, trigger point therapy, and assisted stretching to restore normal muscle function, improve circulation, and reduce excessive muscular tension. By addressing the source of the problem rather than simply treating where the pain is felt, therapeutic massage can help relieve discomfort, improve mobility, and get you back to work, the gym, or your favorite sport with greater confidence and less pain.
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Can massage help strained intercostal muscles?

The intercostal muscles, located between each rib, play a vital role in breathing, posture, and trunk stability. These muscles work continuously to expand and contract the rib cage with every breath you take, but they can become strained during activities involving excessive twisting, heavy lifting, forceful coughing, intense exercise, golf, tennis, or even an awkward reaching movement. When an intercostal muscle is strained or develops painful trigger points, even simple actions like taking a deep breath, coughing, sneezing, laughing, or contracting your abdominal muscles can become surprisingly painful.
At Rub Massage Austin, I use targeted therapeutic massage, trigger point therapy, and gentle myofascial techniques to help reduce muscle guarding, improve circulation, and restore mobility to the injured tissues as healing progresses. While massage cannot repair a torn muscle, it can be highly effective in relieving excessive muscle tension in the surrounding area, decreasing pain, and helping restore comfortable movement so you can breathe, move, and recover with greater ease.

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What are the SCM and Scalenes of the neck?

The sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and scalene muscles are two of the most overlooked muscles in the neck, yet they can have a significant impact on how you feel. Poor posture, prolonged computer work, looking down at your phone, stress, or repetitive activities can cause these muscles to become tight and develop painful trigger points. Trigger points within the SCM can refer pain into the face, jaw, temples, behind the eyes, and even contribute to tension headaches or dizziness. The scalene muscles, located deeper in the neck, lie next to the nerves of the brachial plexus as they travel into the shoulder and arm. When these muscles become excessively tight or restricted, they may contribute to compression or irritation of these nerves in some individuals, resulting in pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness radiating into the arm.

At Rub Massage Austin, I use targeted therapeutic massage, trigger point therapy, and gentle stretching techniques to restore normal muscle function, reduce tension, and improve mobility throughout the neck and shoulder complex. By addressing the underlying muscular restrictions rather than simply chasing the symptoms, many clients experience reduced pain, improved range of motion, and greater comfort in both the neck and upper extremities.

Understanding your body is the first step toward living pain free.
-Glen Taylor, BCTMB
Board Certified Massage Therapist
Rub Massage Austin

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