What Type of Massage Do I Need?

A treatment should start with you, not a label

I’ve been a massage therapist since 2012, and I’ve learned that two people can walk through the door complaining about what sounds like the same problem and still need very different approaches.

Someone with tight shoulders might spend eight hours a day at a computer; another might lift weights five times a week.

Someone else could be caring for young children, training for a marathon or simply dealing with an issue that has been bothering them for months.

The area that hurts may be similar, but the bigger picture can be completely different.

That’s why, before starting treatment, I want to understand things such as:

• Where you’re feeling discomfort or restriction
• When you notice it
• What makes it better or worse
• Your work and everyday activities
• Your training or exercise
• Previous injuries or problems
• What you actually want to achieve from the appointment

The treatment can then be adapted around you, rather than fitting you into a predetermined massage routine.

Sports massage, deep tissue and remedial massage: what’s the difference?

These terms can be useful descriptions, but in practice they can overlap considerably.

Even in research, “deep tissue massage” has no universally accepted definition. Different therapists may also use the term slightly differently.

Sports massage doesn’t mean you have to be an athlete; I work with people who train seriously, but I also see people who sit at desks, have physically demanding jobs, enjoy recreational exercise, or simply want help managing muscular tension and discomfort.

For me, the name of the treatment matters less than choosing techniques that fit the person in front of me.

During one appointment, I might use a combination of massage techniques, deeper or lighter pressure, movement, stretching or other soft-tissue approaches depending on what I find and how you respond.

I also use techniques such as Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) when I feel they are appropriate; these are tools, not the treatment itself.

Does deeper massage mean better massage?

Not necessarily; people sometimes assume that if a massage hurts, it must be doing more good, but I don’t agree with that.

Sometimes, firmer pressure is appropriate, particularly when someone enjoys it or responds well, but more pressure isn’t automatically better treatment.

Your tolerance, symptoms, goals and how the tissues respond all matter.

Research on deep tissue massage is much less clear-cut than its popularity suggests, and forceful massage isn’t appropriate for everyone. Serious complications from massage are rare, but some reported cases have involved vigorous techniques or people with underlying risk factors.

Good treatment isn’t about seeing how much pressure somebody can tolerate.

It’s about using the right amount at the right time for the right person; if something doesn’t feel right during your appointment, tell me.

What if I exercise or train seriously?

This is where treatment can become particularly individual. Someone who lifts weights several times a week may face completely different demands than a runner, cyclist, swimmer, or someone who doesn’t train at all.

I want to know what you’re doing outside the treatment room.

Massage is sometimes marketed to athletes as a way of directly improving performance. The research doesn’t really support that claim. A systematic review involving more than 1,000 participants found no evidence that sports massage directly improved strength, sprinting, endurance or jumping performance. However, it did show small improvements in flexibility and delayed-onset muscle soreness.

That’s an important distinction; I’m not going to tell somebody that having a massage will suddenly make them stronger or faster.

Treatment may help somebody manage muscular discomfort, feel less restricted, and support them alongside the training and recovery work they’re already doing.

What if I’m not sporty at all?

That’s absolutely fine too; despite the name, you don’t need to play sport to benefit from my treatment.

Some of the people I see simply want to:

• Feel less stiff after sitting at a desk
• Manage recurring muscular tension
• Feel more comfortable moving
• Deal with the physical demands of work
• Return to activities they enjoy
• Take some time to look after themselves

Research suggests massage may provide short-term benefits for some types of musculoskeletal pain, although the strength of the evidence varies depending on the condition.

That’s why I prefer not to promise that massage will “fix” a particular condition.

Instead, we look at what you’re experiencing and whether massage therapy fits into your management plan.

Sometimes massage isn’t the answer

This is just as important: not every pain or physical problem should be treated with massage.

There may be occasions when something you tell me during your consultation means I think you should speak to your GP, physiotherapist or another healthcare professional before we continue.

For example, sudden severe or rapidly worsening back pain, significant weakness or numbness, or changes in bladder or bowel function require appropriate medical assessment rather than massage. NHS guidance is very clear about the importance of seeking urgent help for certain combinations of these symptoms.

Part of providing a professional service is recognising when not to treat, as well as knowing when massage may help.