Blog Details

• Ricardo Ruiz

Deep Tissue vs. Swedish Massage: Which One Do You Need?

When booking a massage, the most common question I get is: "Should I get Deep Tissue or Swedish?" Both are fantastic therapies, but they serve very different purposes depending on what your body needs right now.

Swedish Massage is primarily for relaxation and stress relief. It involves long, gliding strokes (effleurage), kneading, and circular movements on the topmost layers of muscles. The goal is to calm the nervous system, improve circulation, and promote a sense of well-being. If you've had a high-stress week and just want to disconnect, this is the one for you.

When to Choose Deep Tissue

Deep Tissue Massage, on the other hand, is therapeutic and focused. It targets the inner layers of your muscles and connective tissues (fascia). I use slower strokes and more direct pressure to release chronic muscle tension.

You should opt for Deep Tissue if:

• You have chronic pain in your lower back or neck.
• You're recovering from an injury (once past the acute phase).
• You have postural problems or stiff joints.
• You prefer firm pressure and "good pain".

It's important to communicate with me during the session. Deep tissue shouldn't be unbearable; it should feel like a release. We can always adjust the pressure to find that "sweet spot" where healing happens without guarding.