Deep Tissue Massage in Highland Park, IL for Chronic Muscle Pain and Stubborn Tension

Deep tissue massage is designed for people dealing with tight muscles, ongoing pain, and tension that does not improve with lighter massage.

At Therapeutic Kneads, deep tissue massage focuses on releasing long-held muscle tension, breaking up knots, and restoring movement. This treatment uses firm, targeted pressure to help relieve pain and improve how your body feels and moves.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massages

Promotes Physical Healing

Deep tissue massage boosts blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients that support muscle repair and reduce recovery time. If you’re dealing with inflammation, consult your therapist—targeting inflamed muscles too aggressively can worsen the issue.

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

In addition to its physical benefits, deep tissue massage can also have a positive impact on mental health. By reducing stress and anxiety, deep tissue massage can help to improve overall mood and promote relaxation. This can be especially helpful for individuals who suffer from high levels of stress or anxiety.

Relieves Pain and Tension

Deep tissue massage targets deeper muscle layers to release knots and tension, helping relieve chronic pain in areas like the hips, neck, and back. It’s especially beneficial for conditions like fibromyalgia or sciatica. Contrary to popular belief, intense pressure isn’t always better—gentler techniques often lead to better healing by avoiding muscle guarding and prolonged inflammation.

Enhances Mobility and Posture

Deep tissue massage stretches and releases tight muscles that limit movement and pull the body out of alignment. This not only improves flexibility and range of motion but also supports better posture—especially for those who sit or move repetitively throughout the day.

Circulation & Relaxation

What is Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep tissue massage is a therapeutic massage technique that works on the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue.

It uses slow strokes and firm pressure to release chronic muscle tension, break up adhesions, and reduce pain caused by tight or overworked muscles.

Unlike relaxation massage, deep tissue massage is focused on treating problem areas rather than providing full-body relaxation.

What We Can Do For You

Targeted Relief for Deep Muscle Tension

Deep tissue massage sessions are focused on the areas that need the most work. Pressure and techniques are adjusted based on your pain level, comfort, and goals.

Releasing Knots and Restoring Movement

The goal of deep tissue massage is to break up tight muscle fibers, improve circulation, and help muscles return to a healthier, more functional state.

Your deep tissue session focuses on specific areas of tightness or pain.

Your therapist will use slow, controlled pressure to work through deeper muscle layers. Pressure can feel intense at times, but it should always stay within a manageable comfort level.

Communication during the session is important so pressure can be adjusted as needed.

Deep tissue massage works by applying sustained pressure to tight muscles and connective tissue.

This pressure helps break up adhesions, increase blood flow, and reduce inflammation. As muscles release, pain decreases and movement improves.

Some soreness after a session is normal, especially if muscles were very tight.

For chronic pain or long-term muscle tension, weekly or biweekly sessions may be helpful at first.

Once pain improves, many clients continue with deep tissue massage once or twice a month to maintain muscle health and prevent tension from returning.

Your therapist can help determine the best schedule for your needs.

 

Your Questions Answered

Still Have Questions About Deep Tissue Massage?

Deep Tissue massage at Therapeutic Kneads in Highland Park Illinois
Does deep tissue massage hurt?

Deep tissue massage can feel intense, especially in tight areas, but it should not feel painful. Pressure is always adjusted to your comfort level.

Deep tissue massage is better for chronic pain and muscle tension. Swedish massage is better for relaxation and stress relief.

Deep tissue massage focuses on releasing tight muscles. Sports massage focuses on performance, recovery, and injury prevention.

Yes. Deep tissue massage is commonly used to help relieve chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain caused by muscle tension.

Some soreness is normal and usually fades within a day or two. Drinking water and gentle movement can help with recovery.

Our Team of Licensed Massage Therapists

Sandy

Owner/President, Licensed Massage Therapist
37+ Years

Amy

Licensed Massage Therapist
9+ Years

Joseph

Licensed Massage Therapist
14+ Years

Sandy

Owner/President, Licensed Massage Therapist

Treatment Philosophy – Deep tissue is great when appropriate.  It is up to the intuitiveness of the therapist to determine if what the client is asking for is the right thing for them at that time.  Sandy uses every opportunity to educate the client on what is going on with their body and how to achieve their health goals.  She is their partner in health and believes that it is the clients’ body that does the healing, not her personally – she is just a facilitator.

Specialties & Types of Clients best suited to their style of therapy 

  • Neuromuscular and deep tissue are her favorite techniques to use for clients who are suffering with migraine headaches, back and neck pain, hip and shoulder dysfunction.
  • She loves to be a detective to figure out what the source of the pain is and then treat the whole person, not just the area of pain.
  • She loves to stretch clients out to create length and restore posture.
  • Educating clients on home self-care is a passion and she will refer to many sources in order that clients get the care they need.

Preferred Styles of massage therapy used in treatments 

  • Deep tissue, combined with Neuromuscular, Orthopedic and broad Swedish strokes make for a deeply relaxing and therapeutic experience.
  • Works on restoring the muscles back to their original state with stretching and maybe a little Craniosacral work to ensure that the changes will take hold making clients feel new again.
  • Pressure scale 5-10.

Education Licenses & Certifications

  • Chicago School of Massage Therapy 1988
  • Licensed Massage Therapist
  • Chiropractic Assistant – Palmer Chiropractic College
  • AA Business Administration – Scott Community College
  • Pre- & Peri-Natal Massage Certification
  • Upledger Craniosacral Therapy I & II
  • Paul St. John’s Neuromuscular Therapy
  • Orthopedic Massage
  • MLD 2016, Certified Lymphatic Therapist 2019
  • Cupping 2017
  • Rock Tape 2018

 

Bobbe

Education & Training Director, Licensed Massage Therapist

Treatment Philosophy: The opportunity to serve and help guide the massage therapy profession to become what it can be is extraordinary. Bobbe’s focus has been and continues to be helping solidify massage therapy standards of excellence and competency through development/revision of curriculum, training, orientation, observation, and performance evaluation of staff to ensure consistency. Her dedication, passion, and enthusiasm for massage therapy emanates from wanting to impart interest and reverence for the body whether she is in the role of therapist or educator. She believes the ideas of listening with heart and hands, being patient and slowing down, waiting for the process of unwinding to facilitate the body’s inherent wisdom is transformative in the therapeutic relationship.

Specialties & Types of Clients best suited to their style of massage therapy:

  • To help people understand their body so that they can realize their potential for growth and healing.
  • To collaborate with clients who are looking for stress relief, relaxation as well as alleviating pain.

Preferred styles of massage therapy used in treatments:

  • I use an eclectic approach to performing massage treatments based on the goals of the session. I always try to release soft tissues with techniques that are easiest to receive on the body first.
  • Anatomically focused work whether the treatment is for relaxation or a specific clinical approach.
  • Myofascial Release, Neuromuscular Therapy, movement/mobilization, stretch and lengthen, and techniques that promote circulation.
  • Pressure scale 4-8.

Education Licenses & Certifications:

  • Chicago School of Massage Therapy 1986
  • Licensed Massage Therapist
  • University of Illinois B.S. Physical Education 1970
  • Cortiva Education Director 2008-2013
  • Massage Therapy Technique and Musculoskeletal Anatomy Instructor 1987-Present
  • Dance/Exercise Instructor 1970-1985
  • Neuromuscular Massage Therapy Certification 1988
  • Kinesiotape
  • Sports Massage
  • MLD Certification 2016
  • Cupping 2017
  • Gua Sha – October 2025
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