Deep Tissue Massage is used to improve chronic muscular tension using slow strokes, direct compression, trigger point techniques or friction on a focused problem area. Often the movements are directed across the grain of the muscles (cross-fibre) using the fingers, thumbs, or elbows. This is applied with greater pressure and at deeper layers of the muscle than Swedish massage, hence the name.

This technique is often used for athletes. However, it is not just sports people who can reap the benefits of this advanced massage style. If you work in an office, sitting at a desk day after day, or if your work or lifestyle involves you doing many repetitive movements (causing RSI or repetitive strain injuries), then you may also suffer deep tissue injuries.