Do I Really Need a Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep tissue massage can provide many benefits for various conditions, including injury, chronic pain, and certain diseases.

A deep tissue massage is one of the most popular and requested types of massage amongst my clients. However, a majority of people don't exactly know what it is and often request it more than they need to. A deep tissue massage is a massage technique that’s mainly used to treat musculoskeletal issues, such as strains and sports injuries. It is best suited for people who engage in highly physical activities, such as running, or those who have an injury or chronic pain. Depending on your concerns, a Swedish massage can sometimes be just what your body needs! Below I've broken down the differences between the two modalities.

Intent

Deep tissue massage is primarily used to treat chronic pain and muscle and sports-related injuries. Swedish massage is mainly used to promote relaxation and reduce muscle tension caused by everyday activities, such as sitting at a computer.

Pressure

Swedish massage is a gentler form of massage that uses far less tension than deep tissue massage. Both types involve use of the palms and fingers to knead and manipulate your tissues, but the elbows and forearms may also be used to apply increased pressure during a deep tissue massage.

Areas of focus

Deep tissue massage targets the inner layers of your muscles. It's used to treat muscle tension and tendon injuries, pain, and stiffness in your major muscle groups and joints. Swedish massage targets the superficial layers of muscle and focuses on the parts of your body that tend to hold the most tension, such as your neck, shoulders, and back.

Remember that every session will differ from time to time. And it's common to combine multiple styles of massages: deep tissue, Swedish, rolfing, trigger point (insert hyperlinks to each modality). Have any questions? Please shoot them my way! Have any questions? Please shoot them my way!