Deep tissue massage
Deep work that reaches the layers where you hold tension, without forcing its way in. In Fremont, Magnolia and Lower Queen Anne.
★ 4.9 to 5.0 on Google, about 400 reviews across three locations · $150 per hour, everything included
New clients: $50 off your first weekday massage with code FirstMassage
Our approach
From Joe Lavin, founder
Deep tissue and deep pressure are often treated as the same thing. They aren’t. Deep tissue is about what we’re trying to accomplish. Deep pressure is about how much force we’re applying.
Deep tissue massage works with the deeper muscle and fascia layers to address tension, restrictions and patterns of discomfort. It takes an understanding of anatomy, body mechanics, how tissue responds and how different parts of the body affect each other. Deep pressure simply describes intensity. A massage can be extremely firm without being particularly therapeutic, and effective deep tissue work doesn’t always need intense pressure.
The most effective deep work doesn’t come from forcing our way into the body. It comes from working with it. When pressure is excessive or too aggressive, the body tends to guard, tighten and resist, which works against what we’re trying to do.
Slow, sustained, intelligent pressure, combined with movement, rhythm, positioning and attention to how your body responds, can reach deep without unnecessary discomfort. We don’t equate pain with effectiveness, and more pressure doesn’t automatically mean better results.
Deep pressure is something you feel. Deep tissue is something we’re trying to accomplish.Joe Lavin
The best massage isn’t the one with the most pressure. It’s the one that gives your body what it needs, at the depth it can comfortably receive, in a way that encourages it to respond rather than resist. That’s a big part of what we mean by Massage Reimagined.
Most of our clients who ask for deep tissue are carrying something specific: a neck and shoulders that live at a desk, a low back that tightens after a long run, hips that never quite open up. Tell us where it is, and that’s where the time goes.
In the session
Because depth isn’t the same as force, you stay in charge of how firm it feels. Most of our therapists use a simple 1 to 5 scale, where 5 is as deep as they go. Pick a number when you book or at the start of the session, then just say “more” or “less” as you go. You never have to stay quiet through pain to get a deep massage, and a good deep session shouldn’t make you brace or hold your breath.
Some people feel a little tender the next day, a bit like after a hard workout. If that lasts longer than a day or two, tell your therapist so they can adjust next time.
Our signature style
Deep Lomi Thai Fusion, the style Joe developed and the foundation of all our bodywork, is built on this idea. Instead of treating muscles as isolated problems, it treats the body as one connected system: flowing, connected strokes, focused deep work, movement and stretching, with constant attention to how your body responds. The goal is a massage that’s profoundly deep and profoundly relaxing at the same time.
Many of our therapists move between longer Lomi strokes and slower, focused deep tissue work in the same session. If you’re not sure what you want, book 90 minutes and tell your therapist where you hold tension.
Therapists
These are the therapists we recommend first for deep tissue. Their usual pressure varies, because depth isn’t the same as force.
Pressure: 1 to 5, usually 3 to 4
Lower Queen Anne
A labor of love. Broad, firm Deep Lomi for neck, shoulder and low-back tension.
Pressure: Usually 3; lighter or deeper on request
Fremont
Creative, flowing Deep Lomi and table Thai: deep, intuitive and comprehensive.
Pressure: 2 to 4, usually 3
Fremont
Caring, centered and grounding. Slow, full-body Lomi work for busy minds.
Pressure: Usually 2 to 3, deeper on request
Magnolia
Medical massage that doesn't feel clinical: connected, nurturing and focused on getting you better.
Pressure: Nurturing to very deep; deep is her favorite
Fremont and Lower Queen Anne
Confident, creative work that can go deep or slow right down.
Pressure: 1 to 5
All three locations, by request
Founder and creator of Deep Lomi. Accepting a limited number of clients.
Angela, Olivia and Wren also love deeper work. Help me choose a therapist
Locations
All three are open daily, 9 AM to 10 PM.
Reviews
"I just had the best massage of my life with Shawna! ... What really stood out was how customized the massage was to my specific needs."Meghan M., Fremont
"I just had my second session with Gabriel, and it was exactly what I needed. He is very kind and listened to my focus areas before we started."Karan K., Fremont
"I had a massage with Matthew. It was fantastic! Very flowy and thorough!"Danelle M., Fremont
Prices
60 minutes $150 · 90 minutes $225 · 2 hours $300, all-inclusive. Deep tissue has no add-on fee: book a massage with any therapist and ask for deep work. New clients get $50 off a first weekday massage with code FirstMassage.
Questions
It shouldn’t. You’ll feel strong pressure and sometimes a “good ache” in a tight spot, but you shouldn’t need to brace or hold your breath. Say “less” at any point and your therapist will ease off.
Mostly speed and focus. A regular massage moves across the whole body at a steady pace. Deep tissue slows down, sinks in, and stays with the areas that need it.
No. Deep pressure describes how firm a massage feels. Deep tissue describes what the work is trying to reach: the deeper muscle and fascia layers. Good deep tissue work often uses less force than people expect, because a body that isn’t bracing lets the therapist in.
If you want both full-body work and real time on a problem area, 90 minutes is the sweet spot. 60 minutes works well when you want to focus on one or two areas.
We usually recommend Nate (Lower Queen Anne), Matthew and Gabriel (Fremont), Marquesa (Magnolia), Shawna (Fremont and Lower Queen Anne) or Joe (all three). Not sure? Text us where you hold tension and we’ll suggest someone.
No. Deep tissue costs the same as any massage here: $150 for an hour, $225 for 90 minutes and $300 for two hours. Just book a massage and tell your therapist you want deep work.
Some people feel a little tender the next day, like after a workout. Drink some water, move gently, and tell your therapist next time if it lasted more than a day or two.
There’s no rule. Some clients book regularly to stay ahead of tension; others come when something flares up.
Tell us you’re pregnant when you book. Zoe, Marquesa and Eiona all specialize in prenatal massage and will adjust pressure and positioning for you.
Questions? Call or text (206) 801-9251.
