Deep Tissue vs Deep Pressure

Before massage school, I used to think deep tissue and deep pressure were the same thing. To get the results I wanted and make my session worthwhile, I accepted that deep tissue was going to make me grit my teeth and clench my fists in pain. Then the day after the session, I’d be sore all over and liken the experience to being hit by a bus. But I NEEDED it. Right?

Okay, let’s clear this up. Deep tissue is accessing deeper layers of muscle and fascia. It can help to relieve areas of dysfunction and help get rid of restrictions to movement.

Deep pressure is exactly what you think it is: the therapist is pressing harder.

So do you have to use deep pressure to get deep tissue? Absolutely not! We can achieve deep tissue by taking our time to properly warm up the area before slowly working our way into those deeper layers. It may take a little more time than immediately bulldozing through muscle with an elbow, but the result is the same (except less painful!).

My approach to massage is always to take it slow and work WITH the body instead of against it. I could bring out the deep pressure, but muscles tend to tighten and resist what they see as an attack and then we’re causing trauma to the tissue. That’s usually when you’ll see bruising or feel like you’ve been hit by a bus the day after. Ouch!

I strive to make sure every person on my massage table is comfortable and not gritting their teeth or clenching their fists because that’s too much. Communication is key during this type of session. Remember, it’s your massage and you get to control how you feel during and the day after!