Therapeutic vs Deep Tissue Massage

When it comes time to relieve pain, you have two basic massage options available: deep tissue and therapeutic. What’s the difference and which is better for you? The team at Renton Center Chiropractic & Massage Therapy answers these questions below.

Deep Tissue Massage

Deep tissue massage is a full-body type of massage that aims to promote relaxation, reduce persistent pain, decrease tension, and improve blood circulation. A deep tissue massage is designed to get to business and help patients feel better. That doesn’t mean it hurts, as many people assume. If at any point it’s painful, you should let the massage therapist know. However, you can expect some level of discomfort as the tightness is worked out of your body.

What Is Therapeutic Massage? 

Therapeutic massage is a more focused type of massage that is designed to treat specific issues and conditions of the body. It’s often used to treat deep, underlying root causes of pain like damaged nerves or muscles. It might also be used to treat posture issues, repetitive stress injuries, and even medical conditions caused by poor circulation.

Therapeutic massage often uses various methods of soft tissue manipulation like trigger point therapy and myofascial release. Trigger point therapy is a technique utilized to address a specific trigger point in the body that is causing pain and discomfort. Myofascial release targets the thick band of connective tissue that surrounds the muscles and other structures. By using a variety of targeted massage techniques, our chiropractor can get to the true source of your pain.

Which Is Best for Me? 

It depends on the cause of your pain. For example, if you’re suffering from back pain due to helping a buddy move over the weekend, a deep tissue massage might be all you need. However, if your back pain has been hanging around for a while, impacting how you live, and you notice other symptoms, it might be due to more than sore muscles. In this case, a therapeutic massage would likely be the better option.

Experience Effective Therapeutic Massage With Our Chiropractor in Renton, WA

If you’re ready to experience pain relief, schedule an appointment with our team at Renton Center Chiropractic & Massage Therapy by calling (425) 226-7061.