— Massage guide · Roswell, GA
Swedish vs Deep Tissue Massage: How to Choose
Two ways to spend the same hour: light to firm strokes over the whole body, or slow, deep strokes with more time on the spots that feel tight. We offer both at our spa in Roswell, Georgia.
Quick answer
Swedish massage works the whole body with long, smooth strokes, light to firm in pressure; deep tissue massage slows down, with deep strokes on the muscles that feel tight. At Health & Healing either style is $80 for 60 minutes.
Swedish and deep tissue prices ↓
- 60 minutes, either style
- $80
- Lengths
- 30 minutes to 3 hours
- Online booking
- One line for both styles
- Pressure
- Change it any time
— 01
What is the difference between Swedish and deep tissue massage?
Pace and depth, and where the time goes:
| What differs | Swedish | Deep tissue |
|---|---|---|
| Strokes | Long and smooth | Slow and deep |
| Pressure | Light to firm | Firm to deep, on the areas you name |
| Where the time goes | Spread across the full body | Full body, with more time where you are tight, such as the shoulders or lower back |
| Usually chosen for | Easing tension and relaxing the whole body | Easing muscle tension where you feel tight |
| Suits | A first massage, a relaxing hour, anyone unsure how much pressure they like | People who already like firm pressure and know where they hold tension |
Is Swedish massage the same as classical massage?
Swedish and classical massage are two names for one style. If another spa's menu lists a classical or relaxation massage, ask whether it means Swedish.
— 02
Which is the best massage for relaxation, Swedish or deep tissue?
Swedish is the better of the two for relaxation: long, smooth strokes over the whole body, at the pressure you pick. For a relaxing hour, ask for light or medium pressure.
Other relaxing choices, each $90 for 60 minutes, are hot stone massage and aromatherapy massage with gentle pressure and essential oils, which is booked by phone. Or add one $10 extra to a Swedish hour: hot stones and hot towels, an aromatherapy essential oil, or a scalp massage.
— 03
Should I book Swedish or deep tissue for my first massage?
Swedish at medium pressure is the one to book for a first massage; ask for more once you have felt the first few minutes.
When does deep tissue make sense on a first visit?
When massages elsewhere have taught you that you like firm pressure, or when one area, such as the upper back after weeks at a desk, is the reason you are booking. Say so before the session starts and name that area; the deep tissue massage page matches tight areas to bookings.
— 04
Do I choose Swedish or deep tissue when I book?
No, you book a length: Swedish and deep tissue are one service on our menu, with one price at each length.
When the session starts, tell your therapist the style, the pressure, one to three tight areas (say, between the shoulder blades), and anywhere to skip, such as your feet or a bruise.
— 05
How do I ask for the right pressure?
Ask with one word before the session starts: "light", "medium", "firm" or "deep", and name the tight spots if you choose deep. Change it at any point with "lighter" or "firmer".
How firm is too firm?
Deep pressure should feel strong and steady. A sharp or stabbing feeling means too firm, and so does noticing that you have tensed your shoulders, clenched your jaw or curled your toes to cope with it. Say so straight away and the pressure comes down.
— 06
Who should choose Swedish over deep tissue?
Older adults and anyone more easily injured should start with Swedish or lighter pressure. NCCIH, part of the National Institutes of Health, says the risk of harm from massage appears to be low. Some of the rare serious side effects it reports, such as blood clots, nerve injuries and bone fractures, involved vigorous styles like deep tissue, or people in those groups.
Before either style, check with a doctor first if you have new, sharp or worsening pain or a history of blood clots, and wait for your surgeon's OK after recent surgery. In pregnancy, ask your obstetrician or midwife, then book the prenatal massage ($90 for 60 minutes).
— 07
Do Swedish and deep tissue cost the same?
Yes, Swedish and deep tissue cost the same here at every length, from $60 for 30 minutes to $219 for 3 hours.
— Swedish and deep tissue prices
Full-body Swedish or deep tissue massage, 30 minutes to 3 hours. Tell your therapist the pressure you want at the start.
| Swedish / Deep Tissue | Time | Price | Book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Swedish or deep tissue massage One or two focus areas. | 30 min | $60 | Book |
| Swedish or deep tissue massage | 45 min | $70 | Book |
| Swedish or deep tissue massage Full body. | 60 min | $80 | Book |
| Swedish or deep tissue massage Full body with extra time on problem areas. | 90 min | $120 | Book |
| Swedish or deep tissue massage | 120 min | $160 | Book |
| Swedish or deep tissue massage | 150 min | $189 | Book |
| Swedish or deep tissue massage Book by phone | 180 min | $219 | Call |
— Questions
What else do people ask about Swedish and deep tissue?
Is there a member price for either style?
Can I give a Swedish massage as a gift?
— Sources
Health And Healing Massage Spa offers Swedish and deep tissue massage for relaxation and wellness, and does not diagnose or treat medical conditions.