Therapeutic massage is a goal-oriented treatment designed to address specific musculoskeletal issues while maintaining a high level of relaxation. It is often described as the "bridge" between a Swedish relaxation massage and a Deep Tissue massage.
Rather than just focusing on general wellness, a therapeutic session begins with an assessment of your specific aches, such as a stiff shoulder, a tight lower back, or tension headaches. The therapist uses a mix of trigger point work, myofascial release, and firm Swedish strokes to alleviate pain and improve the health of the soft tissues.
Therapeutic massage is the most popular choice for general health maintenance. It is particularly beneficial for:
People with "Desk Neck": Those who carry intense tension in their upper back, neck, and shoulders from computer use.
Chronic Headache Sufferers: Individuals who experience tension-type headaches caused by tight neck and jaw muscles.
The Active Regular: People who exercise moderately and want to address specific tight spots before they become injuries.
Physical Therapy Patients: Those looking for a manual therapy to complement their rehabilitation or chiropractic care.
Stressed Professionals: Anyone who needs deep relaxation but actually wants their therapist to "get in there" and work out the knots.
Therapeutic massage is about problem-solving. We work with you to identify the source of your discomfort and apply the right amount of pressure to create lasting physical change.
Targeted Pain Relief: Focuses on resolving specific areas of tension or "knots" (trigger points).
Restores Function: Helps lengthen shortened muscles and improves the quality of movement in the joints.
Chronic Tension Management: Addresses the physical manifestations of long-term stress in the body.
Postural Support: Helps correct imbalances caused by long hours of sitting or repetitive movements.
Stress Reduction: While more focused than a relaxation massage, it still provides the nervous system "reset" necessary for healing.
A "regular" relaxation massage is about the experience of being catered to, a therapeutic massage is about the result. While you will still find it relaxing, we will spend extra time on the specific muscles that are causing you pain or restricting your movement.
Standard massage draping is used, so most clients undress to their comfort level and remain covered by a sheet or blanket. If your therapeutic session involves a lot of movement or stretching, your therapist might suggest keeping your undergarments on for ease of positioning.
You may experience some "productive discomfort" (often called "the good hurt") when the therapist works on a particularly tight knot. However, it should never be sharp or cause you to hold your breath. We encourage open communication to ensure the pressure is effective but manageable.
Because we are working deeper into the muscle fibers, you might feel a mild "gym-like" soreness for 24 hours after the session. This is a normal part of the body’s healing response. Drinking water and taking a warm bath afterward can help minimize this.
Absolutely. In a therapeutic session, the "right" pressure is the one that allows your muscles to release without tensing up. Your feedback is essential to making the treatment successful, so please speak up at any time!