Swedish massage is a therapeutic practice that uses long, frictional movements to improve circulation and blood flow, relieve tension and induce relaxation. It is primarily used to help people relax their bodies and recover their health, as well as to reduce stress. A regular massage is more suitable for eliminating pain caused by muscle strain, while Swedish massage is softer than a deep tissue massage and is ideal for those looking to relieve stress and relax. Deep tissue massage works on the deeper layers of muscles and connective tissue to eliminate knots or chronic tension.
To reach deep muscle tissue, the therapist will massage the muscle layer by layer, applying increasing pressure and using special techniques with the fingers, fists, and perhaps even the elbows to reach and stretch that deep tissue. You can loosen painful knots before receiving a massage to reduce the intensity of pain you may experience during the session. Depending on your preferences, you can ask your massage therapist to use light, medium or firm pressure. Deep tissue massage aims to relieve tension, relieve pain and loosen muscle tissues tied together by exercise or strenuous activity. One study showed that people who received massage therapy after exercise had better blood flow up to 72 hours after exercising.
It's worth noting that while it may seem more blunt and invasive, a deep tissue massage shouldn't hurt. If you only get a deep tissue massage in one area or a few specific areas, you probably don't need to undress completely. Swedish massage helps promote circulation and relax surface muscles. To reduce stress, Swedish massage will use light to moderate pressure for maximum rejuvenation. Regular and Swedish massages achieve different things.
If you have injuries or recurring pain in a specific area of the body, you may need a deep tissue massage.
