Why I Don’t Offer Deep Pressure Massage and What Deep Connective Tissue Really Is

Suzan D. Walker LMT 104331
Nov 20
4 min read

Person receiving a massage on their back, close-up. Hands apply gentle pressure. Relaxing, soothing atmosphere with neutral tones. No text. — Client receiving deep connective tissue therapy.

I’d like to take a moment to clarify an important aspect of my work. I do not offer deep pressure massage. What I do offer is deep connective tissue work, and there is a major difference between the two.

What Deep Connective Tissue Work Is

Deep connective tissue work is a slow, intentional, and therapeutic approach that focuses on the fascia, muscle layers, and structural restrictions in the body.It is not about pushing as hard as possible. It is about working with the tissue, not against it. Proper connective tissue work:

• Uses gradual, sustained pressure

• Allows the body to relax instead of bracing

• Releases tension without overstimulation

• Supports long term healing instead of creating trauma in the tissue

When done correctly, the body softens under the therapist’s hands. It should never cause the muscle to lock up, fight back, or go into protective mode.

Why I Don’t Do Deep Pressure

If you are seeking intense, aggressive, or extremely heavy pressure, I am not the right therapist for you, and that is okay.There are many therapists in the area who specialize in deep, forceful work and will be more than happy to accommodate you.

I do not offer deep pressure for two reasons:

It is not therapeutically effective. Aggressive pressure often causes the muscles to tense, spasm, or guard, which actually slows healing and can cause more harm than good.
It is not something I can safely perform. Due to my own health limitations, I cannot and will not use extreme force.

Recently, a client asked for extreme deep pressure. When I did a quick comparison between deep pressure and deep connective tissue work, they immediately felt the difference. Their muscles tensed up with the aggressive pressure then relaxed and released with connective tissue work. That confirmed once again why I practice the way I do.

How Your Body Responds Over Time

When you receive deep connective tissue work consistently, your fascia and connective tissue begin to soften, relax, and unwind. Adhesions start to release. Your lymphatic system begins to move more efficiently and pathways that were restricted start to clear. You will notice a difference in how your body feels and responds.

As defensive patterns break up, many people realize that their previous need for extremely heavy pressure was due to two factors.First, some people are desensitized and cannot accurately feel their own tissue responses.Second, when the body is in a chronic defensive mode, it becomes much harder to feel satisfied with any amount of pressure.

For some individuals, compression therapy or wearing a compression garment can help the nervous system feel safer and provide the sense of pressure they were seeking without causing tissue damage.

Important Considerations for Health Conditions

There are several health conditions where deep pressure massage is strongly discouraged.This includes stroke survivors, individuals with phlebitis, people on certain medications such as blood thinners, clients with diabetes, heart disease, pregnant, and those with chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia,cancer and deep vein thrombosis. Deep pressure can create unnecessary risk and may worsen symptoms in these situations.

A Common Misconception About Deep Work

Another issue is the widespread misconception that deep tissue or deep connective tissue work must be extremely painful in order to be effective. That belief is completely false. True deep work is not meant to be aggressive, damaging, or so intense that it leaves you bruised, swollen, or laid out for days. My intention is never to cause trauma or harm. Some mild soreness the next day can happen, but if you follow the recommendations after your session, you should notice a reduction in discomfort, not an increase.

Many clients have come to me afraid of myofascial release, deep connective tissue work, or even general deep tissue sessions because of aggressive or painful experiences they had in the past. I want to reassure you that extremely aggressive bodywork is not normal, not necessary, and not how therapeutic deep work is supposed to feel.

How Your Body May Feel After a Session

Everyone’s experience after a massage session can be different. Some people feel completely normal the next day, while others may feel tired, worn out, or more aware of their body for a day or two. This is influenced by your nervous system, your overall muscle health, and how long the tension or restrictions have been present.

Healthy tissue does not usually feel painful, tender, swollen, tight, rigid, or inflamed. However, most clients come to me because their tissue is not currently in a healthy state. Their muscles and fascia may be congested, swollen, inflamed, restricted, or lacking proper circulation. Some of this can be related to lymphatic stagnation, old injuries, chronic tension patterns, or simply the body being overwhelmed. When tissue is already compromised, it will naturally feel more sensitive during therapeutic work.

A Gentle Reminder

What I do is rooted in safe, effective, and trauma informed therapeutic work. If you want thoughtful, structural, connective tissue therapy, I am here for you. If you want forceful or aggressive deep pressure, there are many wonderful therapists nearby who specialize in that style.

My goal is to provide safe, effective, trauma informed therapeutic care that supports long term healing, not temporary intensity.

Thank you for coming to my little TED talk.And thank you for honoring the approach that allows me to provide the best care possible.

With support and care,

Suzan (Susan) Walker LMT

Massage therapy is not a substitution for medical treatment. The massage therapist cannot diagnose, treat or prevent disease. The therapist can only recommend products and services. Please consult a medical physician for further treatment.