Deep Tissue Massage? It's a Matter of Preference

To go deep or not to go deep? It all depends on you.

Should you get deep tissue massage? What are the benefits? It is more therapeutic and effective than relaxation massage?

Over the years people have asked me these kinds of questions or have made statements like "I want a therapeutic, deep tissue massage, not that relaxing stuff" or "I was told to get deep tissue massage because it would help me feel better." I get it, too. When your body isn't working the way you want it to you can find yourself willing to try ANYTHING to feel better and get back to normal (whatever that is). A deep tissue massage can often feel very intense which gives us the sense that it is doing more, it better, or is definitely gonna make the difference.

So what exactly is deep tissue massage and what makes it different from relaxation massage?

Deep tissue massage is a marketing term used to communicate a massage that involves a lot of heavy pressure. Like, a LOT of heavy pressure. That's it. That's all it is. A lot of pressure. Usually minimal oil or lotion is used to generate some drag on the tissues below your skin and strokes are typically performed really slowly. Typically goals are oriented around musculoskeletal health or pain problems or recovery from an injury.

A relaxation massage... well honestly this is even more nebulous than defining a deep tissue massage. I suppose the hallmark of "relaxation massage" is that there are no musculoskeletal goals defined beyond reducing muscle tension, the recipient just wants some feel good touch time. It's got nothing to do with pressure or techniques* and instead is oriented around providing a pleasant, peaceful experience.

There aren't really any particular benefits to "deep tissue" massage that can't be applied to other styles and techniques but there ARE more risks. Most common are bruising or pain the next day (or for several days). If there are any health complications (osteopenia/porosis, bleeding disorders, connective tissue disorders and others) the risks can include broken bones (yes), nerve injuries, joint dislocations, even injuries to arteries and veins. The increased risks have to do with the increase in mechanical forces on your body. For most people these risks aren't of any great concern, but for those who do have complex health conditions these risks should be considered carefully and a discussion with your massage therapist about what is appropriate for you is warranted.

So if it's risky why to people ask for it? Well, that whole placebo thing and if I take the bigger pill that means it packs more medicinal punch. If I get a massage that feels very intense, bordering on painful (or maybe crossing the line), then that must mean it will be more effective at eliminating my pain.

Would that it could but it's just not so. In all honesty, it's a matter of preference. As they say, different folks different strokes, yes?

Some people really do respond best to massage that involves a lot of pressure and drag on their tissues. Surprise surprise, they find it relaxing (lol). A light touch for folks like this can be frustrating. They may have a harder time feeling the touch, or light touch may actually feel unpleasant, even creepy. A firm heavy touch though is affirming, solid, and can be felt through more tissues of the body. There may also be the placebo affect going on and the person's belief that deep tissue is better can lead to frustration and disappointment when that is not provided.

Other people's bodies do not respond well to this. It can be painful, over stimulating, or scary. Worse, it doesn't perform any better than any other means of manual therapies for pain reduction or injury rehabilitation which can mean not only an unpleasant massage experience but no relief from the initial problem.

*So what about those relaxation massage techniques? Is it all light touch and cucumbers on your eyes? Well defining this is so difficult because... different folks different strokes, right? What one person finds a relaxing experience may not be the same for someone else. For some, relaxing means hot stones, aromatherapy, 90 minutes, full body massage with lots of oil and Enya playing in the background. For others it's focused deep pressure on just their back and shoulders with minimal oil and death metal playing in the background. Honestly I have given BOTH of these massages with success (as defined by my patients).

So what do you do? How do you know what's the right choice for you? If you have had massage before or have been working with the same RMT for a while, ask them! They have made observations about what your body responds best to in different circumstances and have become familiar with the techniques that seem to work most consistently for you. You can ask for that information and ask for some guidance if you want to change things up a bit. If you have never had a massage before, be willing to explore your own experience. Try a few different RMTs or, if you prefer to stick with just one person, ask them about how they approach massage therapy and make decisions about what kinds of techniques to use. Some RMTs are a bit of a jack-of-all-trades and can be versatile (Hi, my name is Jack! Let's find out what works best for you, together!). Others have really narrow areas of focus. If you're new to massage therapy, a generalist is a good place to start if you do not have specific problems like injuries or persistent health conditions. As you gain more experience you will learn what you like best and what seems to provide you with the most relief.

In my office I aim for versatility. I can and do provide massage that is very light and utilizes techniques that involve working primarily at the surface of the skin and I provide massage that involves applying a lot of pressure to the body and generating drag on subcutaneous tissues. How do I know which to use? I ask you questions about your previous experiences with massage, if you would describe yourself as sensitive, or if you have ideas about what you want in addition to screening for any health complications that might prohibit the use of certain techniques. As I work I am paying attention to your body's responses; are tissues tightening or "bunching" up? Can I feel resistance to my touch? Are you flinching on the table? Or are things softening under my hands? Is your breathing slowing? Are you making big sighs? These cues are your body's way of telling me how it is receiving my work and what it is doing with the input.

Initial appointments with me are primarily about us getting to know each other and finding what works best for you. I like to say "I use the most appropriate pressure and techniques for you and your goals." We collaborate by communicating; I tell you what I am noticing as I work, you tell me what you are noticing and we look for the overlap that points towards progress on your goals. Deep tissue or not, the point is to make progress on goals while having a positive experience with a touch professional.

Ready to take the first steps? Book your massage with me and lets find out what works for you.