What is the difference between a Deep Tissue Massage and Sports Massage?

One of the most common questions asked at massage, physical therapy, and athletic training centers is what’s the difference between the different types of massage???

To be honest, I hate when massage clinics make the prospective client choose between different treatments, and what’s worse, is that 99% of the time they are also different prices!  Sometimes our bodies are sore, hurt, and we just want to know what will help the most…not do a ton of research and weigh the pros and cons of different types of massage and price points. After all, isn’t that the therapists job to know whats best?

So what’s the difference between Swedish, deep tissue, and sports massage?  Truthfully… more often than not, just the name and price.  Sure, their may be slight differences in techniques, and all the purist massage therapists out there are probably reading this, and getting ready to thrash me in the comments… but its the truth.  As an athletic trainer and bodyworker for 15+ years, having worked for sports organizations and the private sector I can tell you the main difference is more on the marketing side, then the utility side of the massage.

Here is the bottom line.  There may be no better modality for recovery, pain reduction, blood flow, and mind body connection than a quality massage…  When integrated into an athletes training regimen, along with quality strength and movement programming, we can really take a persons performance and recovery to the next level.  I can promise you that every pro athlete, performance artist, or high end recreational athlete has bodywork done regularly.  It is an ABSOLUTE GAME CHANGER as far as recovery and performance are concerned!

This article is about cutting through the BS and getting down to brass tacks.  So here is what you need to know:

1. Big box massage franchises stratify their pricing based on different techniques as a way to upsell their clients and get more money…often at the expense of paying their therapists very poorly. It’s not uncommon for a therapist to charge you for deep tissue, but document it as Swedish, just to put a few extra bucks in their pocket. Honestly, it’s hard to blame them, as massage work is DIFFICULT, LONG, and ARDUOUS to do day after day, and if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. This is part of the reason why that if you find a quality therapist at a big box franchise…they won’t be there for long.

2. More Depth DOES NOT EQUAL Better Outcomes: Yup that’s right…more isn’t always better. The clinics would have you believe that they charge more for deep tissue because you will get a proportionally better result. This could not be MORE WRONG. There is a myriad of research to suggest that even light touch is very effective for general pain relief! This is because any touch on the skin, stimulates receptors in the tissue that have a profound effect on the brain…and the brain is the very source of painful stimuli. So don’t be fooled into thinking if you can get through a brutal deep tissue session and pay the extra $$$ that it will work better. The best depth is generally speaking right at the “Hurts so good” threshold. You should be able to breathe comfortably, talk if you want to, and have an effective, yet enjoyable experience. If your sweating, holding your breath, or feel like time is crawling by…its TOO MUCH pressure, and probably having an net negative effect by setting off your flight or fight nervous system response instead of the parasympathetic, relax and recover response.

3. UPSELLS on UPSELLS: So you spring for that massage, maybe even a deep tissue, and then, in the room, your therapist starts talking about this oil versus that oil…or using massage tools which go deeper, or adding cupping to the session…and then BAM….oh yeah it’s an extra charge. So you mean to say after selecting through the half dozen options and finally getting on the table…now there are MORE OPTIONS TO CHOOSE? Is this a massage or Chipotle? So frustrating! Again, another marketing tactic to add on a few bucks for the clinic owner, and usually the therapist makes $2-3 dollars extra per upcharge.

4. The Finisher: So you pick your massage, then your extras, and get your massage (FINALLY), and then you stand up, and your therapist shows you a card with “customary tips for exceptional service” WAIT….ANOTHER SHAKEDOWN?! To be fair, this is the only upcharge that should be considered in my opinion because often the therapist in front of you is a GREAT PERSON who got into this to help people get out of pain and I can’t think of a better reason to choose a profession. They probably DESERVE every tip dollar they earn…but c’mon the clinic just charged $140 for the massage so why do they need a tip too? Well because the real winner in this game is the franchisor and franchisee… the therapist probably made $30 bucks for that 90 minute masterpiece they just performed on you…and tips probably make up almost half of their total net pay. It’s all a game, and for me, I think ultimately this really takes away from what should be an enjoyable experience of self care.

So what should you look for in a quality clinic or therapist??? Here’s a few hallmarks of a good bodyworker and clinic that takes care of their therapists!

1. They charge one price, per session, based on the TIME SPENT, not the type of massage… and yes, expect to pay a bit more per hour than at the big box stores. If you want quality, then pay for quality. The other additional bonus is more often than not, you will not be upsold any extras… the therapist will choose the right techniques based on your needs, and use quality products because the experience you have is the #1 priority. They may use a combination of techniques in their session, in a progression, and it will be like a symphony of sensations, as if they could feel every knot, pain spot, and area of complaint like it was drawn on you like a map.

2. The best clinics often start with some form of assessment. Injury history, posture and movement screening, and ask you about your sport, or activities you are performing. This information is vital context that a quality Massage Therapist, Athletic Trainer, or Physical Therapist will use to guide the session and any recommendations. It is important to note that while you may run into different aforementioned professionals all using bodywork, that their education, while overlapping in some respects, is much different. As a general rule, massage therapists, unless they have a specific exercise background, should not recommend exercises or stretches…especially if there wasn’t an assessment beforehand. Conversely, Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapists are extensively trained in rehabilitation and exercise prescription, and more often than not will accompany their bodywork with some home exercise, or recommendations for training. This is a GENERAL RULE, as I know and employ massage therapists who are extremely well versed in exercise and rehab, some even more so than higher credentialed clinicians I know. So, it does vary quite a bit from person to person, so this is where you should just straight up ASK what their background is. Look for a therapist who has experience in your sport, condition, goals, and if it feels like a good fit, then it probably is!

3. With an emphasis on recovery in the sports world these days, it isn’t hard to find a quality clinician. The best clinicians are more than happy to talk with you, answer your questions, and be forthcoming about their skills. Everyone who has a “great mechanic” in town who doesn’t take advantage of people gets their name passed around town openly and freely, and usually are super busy with customers and cars to fix. Bodyworkers are no different! Their reputation around town will be as such, they will usually be busy, and charge a bit more for their services. A good thing to do if you’re searching for a quality therapist is ASK AROUND! Ask people in your gym who take their health and performance seriously where they go or if they know someone. If you play sports, or are part of a league, ask your coach as they may know someone that they consistently refer to. Bottom line is just ASK around. Call or email the clinic and therapist, and take the time to vet the provider as you would ANY OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICE.

In closing, it is, and isn’t hard to find a quality therapist.  If the process is confusing, overly complicated, and leaves you feeling like you are getting a shakedown, then it probably isn’t worth the time.  However, IT IS ABSOLUTELY WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT to find a quality therapist in your area, whether you are hurt or not.  I can’t tell you how often former clients give me a call to ask about their latest pain or injury issue, and it makes me proud that I am on the top of their list of experts to call.  At The Movement Underground, this is our mission…to be the people in your corner when you’re healthy and performing well, AND when you are in need of some extra help.  Keeping people feeling great, moving great, and getting the most out of their life is what we, and other quality therapists study, train, and live for.  We are here to serve the BEST VERSION OF YOU POSSIBLE.

I hope this helps you on your search, and if you’re in the New York area, I invite you to email, text, or call us at 631-270-4327 to see if we can help. You can book a session with us online at www.themovementunderground.com/booking

If you aren’t in our area, we have an extensive list of industry friends, so shoot us an email and we will do our best to point you in the right direction!