Rethinking the Deep Tissue Massage Myth

The Price of Deep Tissue | The Rebel MT Podcast

This month marks my 25th anniversary of being a massage therapist. And in my 25 years, I have developed some opinions about definitions. In this episode of The Rebel MT, Allison breaks down the cost of deep tissue therapy, calling out who is paying the price, and analyzing how we need to rethink things—not just for our clients, but for the sake of a long and awesome career.

Unpacking the Deep Tissue Massage Myth

Here’s the literal and figurative problem: deep tissue is often priced $10 to $40 higher than Swedish. We’ve bought into the idea that deep equals harder work and that more pressure always means more value. But that belief has a cost. Therapists burn out their thumbs, wrists, and bodies chasing that standard. I know, I did it too. The deep tissue massage myth needs to be replaced with something more sustainable, more accurate, and more helpful.

What I Thought Deep Tissue Was... And What It Really Is

One of my early jobs was at a high-end spa in Santa Monica. Like many spas, it offered a menu: Swedish or deep tissue massage. Swedish was billed as relaxing, and deep tissue as therapeutic... with more pressure. But here’s the thing: what a client ordered off the menu rarely aligned with what their body actually needed. I learned quickly that good massage blended depth and flow, often switching from one to the other in a single session. The myth that one is light and one is hard doesn’t hold up in the real world.

Staying in the Game Without Breaking Yourself

After 25 years in this field, I’ve come to understand that longevity isn’t just about technique—it’s about adaptability. We have to be strong but not bulldozers. Empathetic, but not empty. When we stop equating deep tissue with brute strength and start focusing on nuance, presence, and skill, we protect our clients—and ourselves. That’s the real value of bodywork.