What Is Deep Tissue Massage?
Deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of muscle rather than just the surface — the layer where chronic tension
actually lives. It's the treatment we reach for with the kind of pain that's been sitting in one spot for weeks or months: a stiff
neck, a tight upper back, a lower back that never quite loosens up.
How Does Deep Tissue Massage Work?
Chronic tension often creates adhesions — tight, rigid bands within the muscle and surrounding tissue that restrict movement
and disrupt normal circulation. Your therapist uses firm, direct pressure to work through these adhesions, which requires
your muscles to be relaxed enough for the pressure to actually reach that deeper layer. It's a slower, more deliberate
technique than a relaxation massage, and it can feel intense in the moment, though it shouldn't be sharply painful.
Benefits Of Deep Tissue Massage:
- Chronic pain and long-standing muscle tension
- Lower back pain
- Recovery from injuries such as whiplash
- Sciatic-type pain
- Osteoarthritis-related discomfort
- Postural tension from long hours at a desk
- Muscle soreness after intense workouts or training
Deep tissue massage can be incorporated into a broader massage therapy approach to address areas of muscle tension, stiffness, and restricted movement.
What to expect at your visit
Your therapist will check in on your pain areas and pressure tolerance before starting — deep tissue work should feel firm,
not unbearable, and you can ask for lighter pressure at any point. It's common to feel some soreness for a day afterward,
similar to how a hard workout feels; that typically settles on its own, and drinking water afterward helps.
Frequently Asked Questions
It's more intense than a relaxation massage, but it shouldn't be sharply painful. Speak up if the pressure feels like too much —your therapist will adjust.
For chronic tension, many patients start with weekly or biweekly sessions, then space them out once symptoms improve.We'll recommend a realistic schedule based on what we find at your first visit.
Source: According to Mayo Clinic, massage therapy can help reduce stress, pain, and muscle tension, and is increasingly usedalongside standard medical treatment for a range of conditions.
See also: IMS / Dry Needling — a physiotherapy treatment that targets similar muscular tension from a different angle.
Take the next step.
Our Scott Road clinic welcomes patients from Guildford, Newton, Scott Road, and North Delta for personalized occupational therapy focused on their individual functional goals. Book online or call 778-590-4243.
