Deep Tissue Massage vs. Swedish Massage

Learn the difference between a deep tissue massage and a Swedish massage from celebrity massage therapist Meagan Holub in this Howcast video.


The difference between Swedish massage and deep tissue massage, is Swedish massage is actually the base for deep tissue massage and deep tissue massage is delivered on a much deeper level. Swedish massage has some basic strokes, like effleurage and petrissage. With deep-tissue massage, you actually take those same modalities, and take them to a deeper level.

You can actually use other tools, instead of using just your hands, you can use your elbow. You can use your forearms. Things that will deliver a deeper amount of pressure, rather than just Swedish massage, which typically you would apply with your hands and your fingers. Many times when people request a Swedish massage, what they're asking for they often request a relaxation massage or something of this kind.

It's pretty much interchangeable. So Swedish massage is very relaxing. Deep tissue massage can also be very relaxing, I find if it's delivered by an expert that knows where that pain threshold is for you. Deep tissue massage, every once in a while someone will ask for deep pressure massage or harder pressure massage, or something like that, so that's what they're referring to.

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