The main difference is the pressure level involved. If you're looking to relax and relieve tense, tense muscles, Swedish massage is probably right for you. If you're recovering from an injury, deep tissue massage can be a useful part of your treatment plan. Swedish massage uses prolonged movements and light to firm pressure to provide gentle relaxation.
Deep tissue massage is a stronger technique that releases tension deep within muscles and connective tissues. Deep tissue massage offers both physical and psychological benefits. Unlike other massage techniques that focus on relaxation, deep tissue massage helps treat muscle pain and improve stiffness. However, it can also help you relax mentally.
In short, a deep tissue massage is more specific than a full body massage and is best administered by a massage therapist. A regular massage is beneficial no matter what part of the body you're targeting, but it's especially useful for those suffering from chronic pain or injury. Experts recommend deep tissue massage for clients who have a certain tolerance for pain and discomfort. Montia says the best way to know if it's right for you is to try a few sessions. Effective deep tissue work doesn't have to be terribly painful.
You can request that less pressure or intensity be exerted, and that only work be done in certain areas. Deep tissue massage can be a great way to aid recovery after an injury or surgery. It can help reduce inflammation and swelling, improve blood circulation and lymph fluids, and reduce pain. This can be especially beneficial after surgery to help reduce pain and improve healing. During a deep tissue massage, the therapist may apply firm pressure to the affected area to reach the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue.
Deep tissue massage is a therapeutic massage technique that helps relieve pain and tension in the body. Keep reading to learn more about deep tissue massage, including how it compares to Swedish massage and what to expect during a session. The massage therapist can use circular and kneading movements to break up scar tissue and increase blood flow to the area, helping to reduce inflammation and promote healing. If you have a low pain threshold or are looking to relieve tense muscles, Swedish massage is gentler and may be a better option.
For example, a deep tissue massage therapist will focus on specific muscles and on using the fingers and elbows, in addition to the knuckles and palms of the hands. Deep muscle strain and myofascial release (MFR) may cause some bruising or pain, but joint stretches performed during a deep tissue session should not cause pain in the following days, Montia says. By reducing cortisol levels and helping to relax the body, deep tissue massage can improve sleep, mood, energy levels, and an overall reduction in stress. Amy Montia, PhD, LMT and medical massage specialist at Physio Logic, says a deep tissue session can include those elements, but it's not necessarily relaxing.
This form of massage can often help release chronic muscle tension and promote proper muscle function. The goal of deep tissue massage is to release tension in the deeper layers of muscle and fascia, which can help reduce pain, improve mobility and improve athletic performance. This is particularly true of Swedish and sports massages, which are designed to relax the entire body and prepare it for activity. Deep tissue massage is popular among people recovering from muscle injuries due to sports or an accident.
It involves applying sustained pressure through slow, deep movements to attack the inner layers of muscles and connective tissues. By increasing blood and oxygen flow to the affected area, deep tissue massage helps reduce tension and pain. By applying appropriate pressure, deep tissue massage speeds up recovery to ease pain, she says.
