Deep Tissue Massage Versus Swedish Massage – What’s the Difference?
When we go through the list of services offered at a spa, we often tend to imagine how each massage therapy might be like, before deciding on what we would like to avail. Often, we end up availing a random massage, because the name is very fascinating. In the end, after the massage, we conclude that all massages are the same. But in reality, every massage is different than the other and each massage has its own benefits.
Let’s know the difference between Swedish massage and Deep Tissue Massage.
Swedish massage is a type of massage that utilizes firm pressure on the muscles. It also involves a series of long gliding strokes. This massage uses various essential oils which have various aromatic benefits and these oils help reduce friction as well.
Swedish massage increases blood circulation in the muscles which eases the tension in the body and improves flexibility. It stimulates the skin and the nervous system, hence, soothing the nerves and reducing both physical, mental and emotional stress.
A Swedish massage involves the application of five strokes, namely:
1. Effleurage – Long flowing strokes that allow the therapist to spread the oils on the body and feel the muscle tone.
2. Petrissage – Kneading strokes that lifts and squeezes the tissues, flushing out the metabolic waste in that area.
3. Friction – A type of stroke that involves fast short movements creating heat in that area that brings blood flow to that area. This helps in loosening the ligaments.
4. Tapotement – This stroke is popularly known as ‘the karate chop move’, it involves a series of light blows to the body which helps in relaxing the muscles.
5. Vibration – This stroke creates movement in the entire body. When done properly, results are very relaxing.
Deep Tissue massage Is a type of massage that aims at targeting the deep tissue structure of the body muscles. This massage is concentrated mainly on the connective tissues.
Deep tissue massage helps in fast recovery of small muscle injuries and chronic problems. This massage is an excellent way to deal with sports injuries, postural misalignment, treating spasms and muscle tension. It also helps to release specific chronic muscle tension like the muscular knots and adhesions.
This massage involves a series of slow, specific, and deliberate strokes, which is best for postural deviances and abnormal muscle tone. The therapist here applies several different strokes depending on the type of the muscle that they are working on. During this massage, the muscles will slowly begin to loosen up, allowing the therapist to move along it.
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