Deep Tissue
is a massage therapy technique that involves applying firm pressure and slow strokes to reach deeper layers of muscle and fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). Working slower to access each sub-layer allows tension spots to release and relax as you go deeper.
*This is not the same thing as deep pressure.
Deep tissue = slow, thorough, going layer by layer to access the deepest tissues, paying close attention to trigger points along the way. Will mainly involve firm pressure and may feel like deep pressure. At STM, we say deep tissue usually begins at the 3 on our pressure scale.
Deep pressure = any type of massage that involves deep pressure. All therapists individually have different pressure levels. If you are looking for a specific pressure, check out our pressure reference guide for our therapists to best match with a therapist that meets your needs! If you would like a massage that varies in pressure, see the pressure chart for a therapist that offers a range you are looking for.
What to expect:
Lighter pressure and/or compression is generally applied at the start of your massage to warm up and prepare the muscles. Your therapist may use fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows, and/or forearms during a deep tissue massage. You may be asked to breathe deeply as the massage therapist works on tense areas.
Who to book with:
Level 1
Your massage will exclusively involve light pressure
can include: CST, Energy, Lymph
Level 2
Your massage will primarily involve medium pressure
Level 3
Your massage will primarily involve medium pressure with deep pressure in focused areas
* This can be deep tissue in focused areas *
Level 4
Your massage will primarily involve deep pressure
* This will be deep tissue *
Level 5
Your massage will primarily involve very deep pressure
* This will be deep tissue *