Is remedial massage the same as deep tissue?

They overlap heavily. 'Remedial' describes the therapeutic purpose, while deep tissue describes the firm technique often used to achieve it. A remedial massage for chronic tension is usually a deep tissue massage; if it's training-related, it may be a sports massage.

What is remedial massage used for?

For specific muscular issues — chronic tension, knots, strains, and tightness — rather than pure relaxation. Deep tissue and sports massage are the treatments that deliver this. For pain from a medical condition or injury, check with a healthcare professional first.

Which should I book for muscle pain — remedial, deep tissue or sports massage?

For general muscular tension and knots, deep tissue is the usual choice; for training or movement-related issues, sports massage. Both are the therapeutic work 'remedial massage' refers to. See a healthcare professional first if the pain is from injury or a medical cause.

Remedial massage therapists in the UK

Got a specific muscular problem to fix? Remedial work usually means deep tissue or sports massage — browse verified therapists for each and book directly.

Independent remedial massage therapists in the UK

2 verified therapists

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About remedial massage

What is remedial massage?

Remedial massage is a general term for therapeutic massage aimed at treating specific muscular problems — tension, knots, strains and pain — rather than pure relaxation. It isn't a single technique: in practice it usually means a deep tissue or sports massage, focused on assessing and working a particular problem area.

Deep tissue — for chronic tension and knots

If your issue is chronic tightness, knots or long-standing tension, a deep tissue massage uses slow, firm pressure to reach the deeper muscle layers. It's the usual choice for stubborn, everyday muscular problems.

Sports massage — for training, movement and injury

If your issue is training-related or involves a specific muscle group, sports massage offers targeted work, often with stretching and mobilisation. It suits active people and those recovering from a specific strain.

How to choose

For general muscular tension and knots, choose deep tissue; for training or movement-related issues, sports massage. Both are the therapeutic 'remedial' work people are usually after. Browse verified therapists and book directly. For pain from a medical condition or injury, see a healthcare professional first.