The difference is the goal. Sports massage is planned around your training and injuries, deep tissue massage uses slower, firmer pressure on stubborn tight areas, and relaxation (Swedish) massage uses lighter, flowing strokes to ease general tension and stress.
Our Registered Massage Therapists use all three, and many sessions blend them. You do not have to choose the right label before you book: tell your therapist what you want out of the session and they will plan it with you.
Sports massage
- Goal: help you prepare for, or recover from, training and competition, and address sport-related aches
- Feels like: a mix of pressures, often with stretching and work on specific muscles you use most
- Suits: runners, hockey players, lifters and anyone training regularly
Deep tissue massage
- Goal: work on long-standing tension and tight spots in deeper layers of muscle
- Feels like: slow, firm, focused pressure that can be uncomfortable on tender areas but should stay tolerable
- Suits: a stiff neck and shoulders from desk work, a tight low back or hips
Relaxation (Swedish) massage
- Goal: reduce overall muscle tension and help you unwind
- Feels like: light to moderate, flowing strokes over the whole body
- Suits: stress, poor sleep, or a first massage if you are unsure what you like
Which should I pick?
Start from your reason for coming. Sore from training or preparing for an event: sports massage. One area that never seems to loosen: deep tissue. Run down and tense all over: relaxation. Firmer is not always better, and your therapist will check the pressure with you throughout.
We also offer prenatal massage. If your pain followed an injury, or comes with numbness, tingling or weakness, an assessment with physiotherapy or chiropractic may be a better first step. More detail is on the registered massage therapy page.
Not sure which type to book?