CHOOSING THE RIGHT MASSAGE: SWEDISH OR DEEP TISSUE?

There’s nothing quite like pampering yourself with a massage
Chances are you’ve had one or more before. Maybe you were
gifted a free one from a friend or family member. Maybe a
massage was recommended by your doctor to take away
say, that chronic ache in your lower back. Or maybe you
need to schedule one just to unwind. But before you go
booking one, consider what your body needs
What is it telling you? Do you have a specific area that
needs attention or do you feel tight all over? How much
pressure are you comfortable with? The answer will
determine what type of massage you should get. Getting
the right one—the one your body needs and may be
calling for—is the key to achieving the ultimate
relaxation experience for you.

DEEP TISSUE
Have a specific area or muscle that’s achey? Prefer a
more rigorous massage? How about an old sports injury
that flares up from time to time? A deep tissue massage can
be just the ticket. With this type of massage, it’s all about
breaking down the fascia, the connective web of tissues
that surround, support and penetrate not only the
muscles, but the bones, organs and nerves.

Using the client’s tolerance level as a guide, therapists
use their fingers, thumbs, fists and forearms to penetrate
down to the deepest layers of muscle and tissue.
According to livestrong.com “Deep tissue work creates
micro-tears in the fascia, which fill with elastin and
collagen in about three days, creating muscles that
are more flexible, supple and have greater range of motion.”

​Book a restorative deep tissue massage with Cari here.


SWEDISH MASSAGE
Feeling generally stiff everywhere? Looking to escape
the overall stresses of life? Then Swedish massage may be
the best bet for you.  This type of massage focuses on
working the connective tissues of the body.
It incorporates specific massage movements, including
rubbing; sliding or kneading; and vibration. In addition,
it includes stretching and bending of the joints
by the massage therapist. Common offshoots of
Swedish massage include hydrotherapy and
​body wraps, and spa treatments such as aromatherapy.

But it’s more than just about what’s going on at the skin level.
“Swedish massage increases the circulation of blood and
lymph,” says livestrong.com, “which has the result of
cleaning and nourishing soft tissues--the skin and muscle.”

According to medical massage therapist Cheryl Fetterly,
Swedish massage is “generally an all-over relaxation massage,
done to soothe and leave the client calm. It’s the
one massage appropriate for all walks of life. Pretty
much everyone can benefit from it and it’s great for
resetting your clock.”

Need to reset your clock? Book a Swedish massage here.



​Pregnant? Cari also performs prenatal massage!
Book an appointment here.

Whichever massage you choose, benefits abound.
“I enjoy taking my clients on a journey,” East Main’s
massage therapist Cari says. “One that will alleviate
stress, reduce pain and enhance energy and immunity.”