How to choose between Deep Tissue Massage and Swedish Massage

These days a massage is most helpful to a lot of people, despite their varying reasons! Athletes opt for massages that help heal their sports injuries while those working a 9-5 job need to relive the pain caused by hunching over a screen all day.

The need may vary despite the difference in the specifics. Similarly, Swedish and Deep Tissue massage therapies also share similarities in their approach but differ only in the amount of pressure applied.

Swedish massage therapy is more about gentle relaxation while deep tissue prioritizes musculoskeletal issues. However different they may be, they are both methods used for achieving physical and emotional relaxation.

Swedish Massage :

Swedish massage is the most common of the two techniques. It is also referred to as the classic massage technique. Providing relaxation and tension relief is paramount in a Swedish massage.

It is a gentler approach than deep tissue massage therapy in Glenroy. People who experience stiffness, tension, or muscle soreness caused by daily activities usually opt for Swedish massages. It is highly effective in releasing pain from the lower back, neck, and shoulders.

How is it done :

A Swedish massage involves rereleasing tension from the body via a balanced combination of gentle kneading and long, gliding strokes. This usually concerns the whole body, where the client lies down fully undressed on the table and is then covered by a towel. The therapist pulls back and adjusts the towel around the areas where they are massaging.

The technique involves applying five basic types of strokes;

- Friction: These include short fast strokes applied by rubbing the fingers against the skin to generate warmth. This heat helps circulate blood and alleviate tension.

- Effleurage: It is applied through long rhythmic strokes which allows the therapist to identify the tone of the muscles and determine the required pressure.

- Vibration: Vibrating strokes are superficial in nature but needs to be performed in quick succession. If done correctly, can be a source of immense relaxation.

- Petrissage: A more simpler form of stroke where the muscles are squeezed and pulled up to release tension.

- Tapotement: Involves karate chopping the body to relive tensed up muscles.

Deep Tissue Massage :

Deep Tissue Massage therapy involves several strokes which are similar to that of Swedish Massage but applies them in a slow but forceful manner. This can cause pain to a slight degree but is more effective in releasing tension from the deeper layers of the muscles.

Deep Tissue massage therapy is mostly meant to alleviate chronic pain and musculoskeletal injuries. Athletes and sporting individuals are more prone to muscular injuries which require deep tissue therapy to help heal.

The therapist applies this technique by massaging the muscles layer by layer using their fingers, fists, and sometimes even shoulders to facilitate healing and combat inflammation.

How is it done :-

Deep tissue massages are meant to alleviate pain and facilitate healing in the deeper layers. For the most part, it involves communicating with the massage therapist with regards to the areas that require attention or if there is any specific problem the client is facing. Depending on what the client says, the therapist may execute a full body massage session or focus only on the areas the client specified.

Follow these steps to help make the entire process smoother;

- Talking to the therapist about where the injuries or source of discomfort is located on the body.

- Specify the level of comfort with which the therapist would proceed with the massage.

- State what goal or expectation incited the need to visit a therapist.

- Discuss the degree of pressure which is required.

- Go through a warm up phase with a traditional massage.

- Be well hydrated.

Conclusion

Both massage therapies are similar or rather co-dependent on each other. Quite often, a Swedish massage is followed up by a deep tissue massage, to not only provide relaxation but also to relieve tension from the fascia. Deep tissue therapy is specifically for healing injuries caused by intensive physical activities while the Swedish technique uses a variety of long gentle strokes to trigger a relaxing sensation in the body.