The Difference Between Relaxation and Therapeutic Massage
Relaxation and therapeutic massage may sound like the same thing — both help you unwind, release tension, and feel better in your body. But at Roots Wellness Studio, these two styles of massage serve slightly different purposes and can support your wellbeing in unique ways.
Relaxation Massage: Calming the Mind and Body
A relaxation massage is all about slowing down and letting go. Using long, flowing strokes with gentle to moderate pressure, it soothes the nervous system and encourages your body to move out of “fight or flight” and into “rest and digest.”
During a relaxation massage, the focus isn’t on specific problem areas or deep tissue work — it’s on creating a calming experience that allows your body to recharge and reset.
You may notice:
A feeling of deep peace and grounding
Improved sleep and circulation
Reduced stress and anxiety
A calm, centered state of mind
Relaxation massage is ideal when you need a moment to pause, reconnect, and breathe again.
Therapeutic Massage: Restoring Balance and Function
A therapeutic massage goes a little deeper — both literally and intentionally. It focuses on specific areas of tension, restriction, or pain, using targeted techniques such as deep tissue work, myofascial release, or trigger point therapy.
This type of massage helps restore mobility, improve posture, and address the root cause of discomfort, whether it stems from injury, repetitive movement, or emotional stress stored in the body.
You may notice:
Improved range of motion
Relief from chronic tension or pain
Enhanced body awareness
Lasting physical and energetic balance
Therapeutic massage is designed not only to relieve symptoms, but to support long-term wellness and alignment.
Which One Is Right for You?
Both styles have immense value — and at Roots Wellness Studio, your session is always tailored to what you need that day. Many treatments naturally blend the two approaches: starting with gentle relaxation to calm the body and finishing with deeper therapeutic work to release what’s held beneath the surface.
Sometimes, healing begins with softness. Other times, it requires focused attention. Often, it’s a little bit of both.