Swedish vs. Deep Tissue, Explained by a Licensed Massage Therapist
In my twelve years in the field, this is probably the most common question I get asked. “I don’t know what I need, what’s the difference?” You don’t know which does what, you just want to feel better. With all the misinformation online today, it can be really confusing. In this article I will explain the differences with techniques and the pros and cons of each to help you make the best decision for your body.
Have you ever heard, “If it doesn’t hurt, it’s not doing anything”? I hear it all the time. People are scared to try deep tissue because they think it’s going to hurt. That’s what they were told. Deep tissue, despite the name, is not associated with pressure at all. It’s called deep tissue, because as opposed to swedish, which focuses on the more superficial layers of the body, the focus is on the deeper muscles that lay within. Your body has layers and layers of muscles and sometimes a little more pressure is necessary to access those muscles; however, just pushing harder is not going to release them. Typically, deep tissue is going to be much slower in order not to cause harm to the body. It also requires a lot more in-depth knowledge of the body. We have to know what muscles are making it so that you can’t turn your head to the right, find them, and release them. While deep tissue isn’t supposed to hurt, it can still be perceived as a “good hurt”. The kind where you can tell, that’s the spot that hurts, get it out! Deep tissue is more about finding knots and adhesions in the body and working them out specifically.
Maybe you don’t have any knots or adhesions. You probably do, but maybe they don’t bother you. That’s where the swedish massage comes in. Because swedish doesn’t go into the deeper muscles of the body, it tends to be more associated with relaxation and is great for stress relief. Swedish massage uses longer, broader strokes that calm you and make you feel good. And yes, you can push harder with a good swedish massage! Because swedish massage is superficial and doesn’t require as in-depth knowledge of the body, some states, Missouri included, allow people other than licensed massage therapists to perform them. Estheticians often times will give you a swedish massage as they are trained to relax the body.
But what if you want both? That’s ok! I find most of the clients I have talked to want a nice mix. Truthfully, deep tissue isn’t even possible without some swedish as well. In order to access those deeper muscles in a way that doesn’t cause harm, those tissues need to be warmed up. Swedish techniques are generally used first to get the body to relaxed and warmed up so it can be susceptible to release. Remember, the body doesn't take too kindly to being forced to do anything. You need to be relaxed before any change can occur. For this reason, I don’t have deep tissue massage listed as a service on my menu. A full body deep tissue massage does not exist as you need a mix of both. Instead, I have the option for a customized therapeutic massage, as all deep tissue is customized to your body and your particular needs at that time.
Okay, so you know what they do, but what are the downsides? Although the main concern of deep tissue isn’t to hurt, it can cause some next day soreness. It’s similar to working out at the gym. It may not hurt while lifting weights or running, but you’re probably going to feel it the next day. That’s not always desirable. If you’re body is too sore after a massage, then that means too much pressure was used and you need to let your therapist know. Because of this, deep tissue is not usually recommended for a first-timer. We want you to get used to touch, and relaxation before going deep to start messing with stuff. You wouldn’t go to the gym for the first time and start racking up 100s of lbs, would you? Start slow, and work up to it.
So which one is right for you? That’s up to you to decide. Determine your goal for the session and go from there. Are you looking to zone out and maybe take a nap? Or do you have a spot that’s been bothering for months and you really need it worked out? Whichever is a higher priority is what I would recommend. Deep tissue for knot work. Swedish for relaxation.
7 Reasons To Try Waxing Instead of Shaving
Do you like the feel of freshly shaved legs or underarms, but get tired of the routine it takes to keep it up? Do you spend hours in the shower every week to try to stay smooth? Have you ever thought about trying a new method, but worried about the pain or cost? In this post we will provide 7 Reasons why you should try waxing and explain why it's so effective.
#1 Slows hair growth
While shaving hair only removes the top of the hair from the skin, waxing removes the hair from the root. It takes time for the hair to form and regrow, whereas with shaving, you can feel the hair poking out in just a few days. Post-wax, it takes approximately 3 weeks before the hair is ready to be removed again. Sometimes longer if waxing is done on a routine basis. Every time the hair is removed from the root, the blood supply (or the papilla) is damaged, and that means less nutrients to the hair. Waxing on a regular basis continues to damage the blood supply, meaning the more often you do it, the slower it grows back!
#2 Less maintenance
How often do you have to shave? Once a week? Once a day? I got tired of spending hours in the shower shaving only to feel the prickliness coming back just a day later. With waxing, you only need to go in roughly once a month. Since waxing means slower hair growth, you can wait longer between removal. That means I have more time to do the things I want.
#3 Thins out hair
The papilla doesn't just control how quickly the hair grows back. The papilla also keeps the hair strong and thick. That's not how I want the hair on my legs to look. By routinely damaging the papilla with waxing, you are limiting the amount of nutrients it gets, which means it doesn't have the strength to get thick, dark, or coarse. Shaving, on the other hand, does nothing to the papilla, and so the hair stays thick and dark.
#4 Smoother skin
Waxing doesn't just remove hair. It is also a form of exfoliation. When wax is removed, it takes everything with it, including dead skin cells that may cause dryness or roughness. Those dead skin cells can cause other problems with the skin. It's a barrier for the most important organ in your body. To help keep things out, but to also keep things in. When shaving, the hair is cut at an angle. That makes it harder to poke out of the skin, and even harder if it has to fight through the skin barrier. The hair will curl under the skin as it keeps growing and cause painful ingrown hairs. Waxing limits this from happening, and keeps your skin looking, and feeling, smoother for longer.
#5 Convenient
Have you ever gotten done shaving for a big event, or girl's night out, then realized you missed an entire section on the back of your leg? Shaving is annoying and you already do it almost every day so you just want to get it done with, but you've gone too quickly and missed some. Oops. Waxing gives you the freedom of letting someone else handle it for you. Don't worry about those hard to reach areas on the back of your thighs, or touching every square inch of your body trying to find hairs that may or may not still be there. I, personally, love letting someone else be my eyes and hands. I know that when the appointment is over, they've looked over and covered every square inch of the part being waxed.
#6 Reduced discomfort
While waxing is not painless, over time it becomes less so. Remember the papilla I was talking about earlier? When the hair gets thinner, and more malnourished, it doesn't hurt as badly when it's removed. There may be some discomfort when starting out, but when done on a regular basis, waxing becomes easier and less painful. The process is also very quick. Like pulling off a band-aid!
#7 Cost
Okay. Now you know why waxing, over shaving, is more beneficial. But what about the cost of doing it? Depending on the area waxed, it can range anywhere from $15-$75. Maybe more if you add a vajacial, but that's for another time. But what about shaving? Razors cost $10. Maybe more if you get the really nice ones. And why wouldn't you? You're using them every day. So that means you're also replacing them a lot. That adds up. Waxing only needs done every few weeks, and less often when done regularly. $75 can be a lot up front, but when it's only once a month, for the convenience and benefits, that sounds a lot better to me.
Waxing isn't for everyone. Not every one cares about hair growth, or smooth skin. But if you do, and you've experienced the drawbacks associated with shaving, I say try it! It won't hurt (much). Book your next wax today!