Is It Deep Tissue Or Deep Swedish?

Three Main Types of Massage

 

Many people, including massage therapists, are unaware of the difference between deep tissue (myofascial) massage and deep Swedish massage.  There are three main types of massage in terms of application of strokes:  Swedish, deep tissue and acupressure.

 

Swedish massage consists of effleurage (gliding), petrissage (kneading), stripping, friction, tapotement (percussion), and vibration.  The strokes can be performed at slow to fast tempos and at light to deep pressures.  Swedish is the most common form of massage and is used for increasing blood circulation, moving metabolic waste out of the body, decreasing superficial nervous tension, relaxation, a feel good experience, releasing emotional issues near the surface, and, to some extent, to resolve injuries or medical conditions.

 

Deep tissue massage consists of a slow, gliding stroke at some level of depth (like a moving pressure point).  Deep tissue strokes have a significant effect on the fascia (connective tissue); Swedish strokes do not.  Deep tissue strokes can be performed at light to deep pressure, but the strokes can only be performed at a slow to medium pace.  If the pace is too fast, the stroke will not affect the fascia and be deep Swedish instead of deep tissue [see next page for details].  Deep tissue massage is used for resolving long-term holding patterns, structural and biomechanical issues, increasing range of motion, resolving injuries and medical conditions, relaxation, a feel good experience, releasing emotional traumas stored deep within the tissues, and moving metabolic waste and interstitial lymph through the body.

 

Acupressure is the application of static (non-moving) pressure to a point on the body.  It can be performed from a Traditional Chinese Medicine point of view (working on various energy points along meridians within the system of the five elements) or as straight acupressure anywhere that the tissues in the body feel tight.  Acupressure is used from the Eastern perspective to reestablish the free flow of chi (life force) or energy through the body by stimulating areas of stagnation and releasing blockages.  From the Western perspective, acupressure is used to soften and release dense or tight tissue.