Swedish massage is the most commonly offered and best known type of massage to:
- Improve the circulation of blood and lymph (immune system).
- Ease muscle aches and tension.
- Improve flexibility and mobility.
All massage therapy schools in Ontario teach basic Swedish massage techniques, plus advanced techniques that result in deep tissue massage, sports injury hydrotherapy, and more.
Relaxation massage is a Swedish massage with gentle but firm pressure. The purpose is not to remove the knots, but rather to relax the body and melt worries away. While usually no area is focused on, that is completely up to the client to decide.
Deep tissue massage is a firmer Swedish massage with the help of advanced techniques such as stretching, trigger point therapy, active release techniques, joint play (manipulation) and of course a firmer / deeper pressure. The amount of pressure applied is always up to the client. It has to hurt a little – but also feel good at the same time. If there is too much pressure applied to an area, other areas of the body might tense up to compensate for the pain and defeat the purpose. Therefore, as they may not be able to know on their own, it is very important to let the therapist know if too much pressure is being applied or if more is needed.
With deep tissue massage, the therapist will be able to get deeper into the different layers of muscles, allowing muscles to stay loose for a longer period of time. With relaxation massage, the therapist will only affect the first layer of muscles. This may result feelings of well-being afterwards, but most muscles will still be tense.