Deep tissue massage
Release the tension that keeps coming back
That tight band across your shoulders, or the ache in your lower back that never quite settles, wears you down over time. Deep tissue massage works into those layers so you can move and rest more comfortably.
Private health funds accepted.
Understanding Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massage is slow, firm massage that works into the deeper layers of muscle and the connective tissue around it. Your remedial massage therapist uses sustained pressure to release areas of long-standing tension, rather than sweeping over the surface.
It suits muscle tightness that has built up over months or years: desk posture, heavy lifting, repetitive work, training loads, or old injuries that changed how you move. Most people notice looser movement and less day-to-day muscle pain, though how quickly that happens varies.
Who does it affect?
adults with persistent muscle tension, stiffness or postural pain
How common is it?
muscle and joint pain affects around one in six Australians [CONFIRM: source and figure]
What's recovery like?
varies, and often improves across a short series of sessions
Who should I see for treatment?
your remedial massage therapist
What are my funding options?
Private health funds accepted
What is deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massage is a hands-on treatment that applies firm, controlled pressure to the deeper layers of muscle and fascia, the sheet of connective tissue that wraps around muscle. The pace is slower than a relaxation massage because the pressure needs time to work.
Tension builds when muscles hold a load they never fully release. Sitting in one position, carrying children, lifting at work or training hard all keep certain muscles switched on. Over time those fibres shorten, the tissue around them stiffens, and you feel it as tightness, restricted movement or a dull ache.
Contributing factors include:
Long hours in a fixed position, particularly at a desk or behind a wheel
Repetitive lifting, carrying or overhead work
A rapid increase in training volume or intensity
Compensating for an old injury or a painful joint
Symptoms of Deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massage is often used when you notice:
Tight, ropey bands of muscle that feel firm to touch
A deep ache that sits behind or between the shoulder blades, in the neck or across the lower back
Stiffness that is worst first thing in the morning or after sitting
Reduced range of movement, such as struggling to turn your head or reach behind you
Referred pain, where pressing one spot creates pain somewhere else
Headaches that start at the base of the skull
Your treatment plan comes from your assessment, not from a standard routine.
What to expect at your first appointment
Tell us what is going on
You describe where the tension sits, how long it has been there, and what makes it better or worse.
A full assessment
Your remedial massage therapist checks posture, range of movement and the tissue itself to find which muscles are driving the problem.
A clear plan
You get treatment on the day, plus a plan covering pressure, frequency and what to do at home.
Review and adjust
At follow-up appointments you review what changed, and the treatment shifts with it.
When to book an appointment
Muscle tightness or aching has lasted more than three weeks
Stiffness is limiting your work, sleep, training or driving
Stretching, heat and rest have not made a lasting difference
You are not sure whether it is muscle tension or something else
Book an assessment if:
Looking after yourself at home
Between appointments, small habits do most of the work.
Long hours in a fixed position, particularly at a desk or behind a wheel
Repetitive lifting, carrying or overhead work
A rapid increase in training volume or intensity
Compensating for an old injury or a painful joint
Meet the team who treat this
Behind every appointment is a team of practitioners who know each other, trust each other and work together for you. Across seven clinics and nine disciplines, our team shares expertise, coordinates treatment plans and celebrates your progress together.
Aimee Fuller
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Alicia Whiticker
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Amanda Banks
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Amanda Duggan
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Amy Meekings
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Anita Beerapu
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Benjamin Tucker
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Blake Cossar
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Bronte Tupper
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Chris Farrugia
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Corrina Aitken
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
David Logue
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Dean Gresser
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Emma Nassif
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Esha Sharma
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Fatima Hussaini
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Felicity Spencer-Davey
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Frankie Raikadroka
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Hannah Norrie
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Heather Edwards
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Isaac Vella
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Jarrah Nesbitt
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Jonathan Lopez
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Justin Hanna
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Kasey Collins
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Katrina Gauci
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Kennedy Touet
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Kristy Edwards
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Kyle Perry
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Lorna Nicastri
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Maja Bosic
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Marxy Koronel
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Matt Barton
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Michael Todd
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Mr Jeffery Jenkins FACPS
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Nathan Cavanagh
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Patrick Celeban
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Praise Khin
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Sarah Bonnici
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Shannon Smith
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Siobhan Kelly
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Taleisha Bozzi
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Trystan Singh
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Uty Kotwal
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Yoni Hochberg
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
Zak Lloyd
Healthcare Support Officer
Available at Blaxland
EPC, DVA, NDIS and WorkCover welcome
Nearly half of our appointments are funded through Medicare, DVA, NDIS or WorkCover. We manage the paperwork so you can focus on your health.
NDIS
We support eligible NDIS participants across podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and psychology, depending on your plan and goals. Eligibility and funding are set by your plan.
Medicare
Medicare may rebate podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and chiropractic sessions when your GP refers you under a chronic condition management plan, and psychology sessions under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. The number of sessions is set by your plan.
DVA
Gold and White card holders can access DVA-funded podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and chiropractic with a valid referral.
WorkCover
If you have been injured at work, we accept WorkCover referrals for podiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, dietetics and chiropractic, and manage the paperwork with your insurer, with a clear return-to-work plan.
Seven clinics across three regions
Find a clinic near you. Each location is staffed by local practitioners who know your community.
Penrith
Western SydneyOur largest centre, with our full range of services under one roof.
Ropes Crossing
Western SydneyPodiatry, at Ropes Crossing Village.
Blaxland
Blue MountainsPodiatry, physiotherapy, exercise physiology and group classes.
Springwood
Blue MountainsPodiatry, dietetics and a boutique footwear store.
Katoomba
Blue MountainsPodiatry, physiotherapy and dietetics, in a restored 1914 cottage.
Ryde
North ShorePodiatry, physiotherapy, dietetics and exercise physiology, with a footwear store and gait analysis.
Lindfield
North ShorePodiatry, with mobile podiatry across the North Shore and Northern Beaches.
Ready to release that tension for good?
Book a deep tissue massage with a remedial massage therapist and get a plan that suits your body.
Frequently asked questions
Does deep tissue massage hurt?
It should feel firm and intense, but never sharp or unbearable. Good deep tissue work sits at a pressure you can breathe through and stay relaxed under. If you tense up or hold your breath, the muscle guards and the treatment becomes less effective. Tell your remedial massage therapist during the session and the pressure will be adjusted. Pressure is a dial, not a fixed setting.
Why am I sore the day after a deep tissue massage?
Mild soreness for 24 to 48 hours is common, similar to the feeling after a new workout. It reflects the tissue responding to sustained pressure and increased local blood flow. Drinking water, moving gently and applying heat usually settles it. Sharp pain, bruising or soreness lasting beyond three days is not expected, so let your therapist know before your next appointment.
What is the difference between deep tissue massage and remedial massage?
Deep tissue massage is a technique; remedial massage is the broader treatment approach. A remedial massage therapist assesses your movement and symptoms, then chooses techniques to suit, which may include deep tissue work, trigger point therapy or myofascial release. So deep tissue pressure is one tool used within a remedial massage appointment, rather than a separate service with a different goal.
How often should I book deep tissue massage?
For persistent tension, weekly or fortnightly sessions over the first month are common, then spacing out as symptoms settle. Once things are stable, many people move to monthly or six-weekly maintenance. Frequency depends on how long the tension has been there and how much load your work or training places on you. Your therapist will suggest a schedule at your first appointment.
Should I have a deep tissue massage on a new injury?
Not directly over it. In the first few days after a strain, sprain or bruise, firm pressure on the injured tissue can increase swelling and slow healing. Your therapist can still treat surrounding muscles that are compensating, using lighter techniques. Once the acute stage passes, usually after several days, deeper work over the area becomes appropriate.
Can I claim deep tissue massage on private health insurance?
Most extras policies cover remedial massage when it is provided by a therapist registered with your fund. Cover varies by fund, policy level and how much of your annual limit is left. Deep tissue work performed within a remedial massage appointment is claimed under remedial massage, not as a separate item. Check your rebate with your fund before booking if you are unsure.