Massage Modalities Focus On Deep Tissue

By Julie Kennedy, CMT

Modality is the fancy term for different variants of massage. The ones you are probably most familiar with are Swedish, deep tissue, prenatal, and hot stone. Other common massage modalities include manual lymphatic drainage, infant massage, myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and the list goes on.

Choosing a Massage Modality

What do you need to know when choosing what modality of massage you would like to try? If you are getting your first massage, go with a 60 minute, full-body, Swedish massage. The pressure can range from light to deep, depending on your needs. After your first massage, you will have a better idea of where to go from there. For many people, Swedish is just what they need.

If you work out a lot, or otherwise use your muscles, you may want to try a deep tissue massage. At many studios, you will pay extra for a deep tissue massage because it is harder on the therapist to give you deep tissue. Deep tissue massage can be a confusing term. Sometimes when you ask for a deep tissue massage, you really just get a deeper version of a Swedish massage. If that is what you are looking for, that’s fine.

Usually, however, a deep tissue massage employs the use of different tools, meaning parts of the therapist’s body. In a Swedish massage, the therapist may use her hands, her forearms, open fists basically parts of her arms that don’t apply too much pressure. During deep tissue massage, the therapist may use her elbows, fingers perpendicular to the body or closed fists.

Deep tissue is not as relaxing as Swedish; some would say it’s not relaxing at all, but if you have a problem area, it can work wonders. Deep tissue has some of the same effects as working out, so you may be sore the next day. Generally, a deep tissue massage focuses on one area or you have deep tissue on your back and then Swedish everywhere else.

Unless you are exceptionally petite, a one-hour appointment is not enough time to do deep tissue massage on your entire body. Your therapist will ask what areas you want to focus on and whether or not you want her to leave time for the rest of a full body massage. Deep tissue massage can be therapeutic and beneficial.