What is a deep tissue massage?

Deep tissue massage is a massage technique that is used to treat musculoskeletal issues rather than just general pain. These issues might include strains and sports injuries. It works by applying sustained pressure using slow, and deep strokes to target the inner layers of your muscles. It helps to break up any scar tissue that has been built. This can help to aid in recovery from injury, and also to reduce the tension in the muscles. At our Massage studio in Edgewater, we practice these techniques to give you relief from your pain.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage offers a variety of physical and psychological benefits. Other massage techniques focus on relaxation, while deep tissue massage actually works to treat muscle pain and improve stiffness. 

Deep tissue massage is known to aid in the following troubles:

  • Sports injuries

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • High blood pressure

  • Sciatica

  • Tennis elbow

Deep Tissue vs Swedish

Deep tissue massage and Swedish massage are completely different types of massage therapy. Although they do use similar strokes, they are used to heal different problems and vary in terms of pressure. The main differences between deep tissue massage and Swedish massage include: 

  • Deep tissue massage is used to treat chronic pain as well as muscle and sports-related injuries. Swedish massage is used for relaxation and reducing tension in the muscles that is caused by daily movement. 

  • Swedish massage is usually a bit gentler than deep tissue. it uses far less tension. Although they both involve the use of the palms and fingers to knead and manipulate your tissues, the elbows and forearms may also be used in deep tissue. This is to increase the pressure.

  • Deep tissue massage focuses on the inner layers of your muscles. It’s used to treat muscle and tendon injuries, pain, and stiffness in your muscle groups and joints. Swedish massage mainly targets the superficial layers of muscle. It also focuses on the parts of your body that hold more tension. This might include the neck, shoulders, and back.

During the Massage

When your deep tissue massage begins, you will need to explain any problem areas that you have. You may want to have the massage on one specific part, or all over. Once you are ready to go you will be asked to lay on your back or your stomach. You should be under a sheet and undressed to the level of comfort for you. The only requirement is that the area you are having worked on will need to be exposed.

As you begin your massage therapist will start with a light touch. After your muscles are warmed up they will go into the problem areas and begin the healing magic. You can expect deep kneading and stroking while the pressure varies. If at any time something is uncomfortable, you can notify your massage therapist.


Bethany Mahaffey