The term masseuse is a French word that refers to a female who practices massage. (Males in the industry were known as masseurs.) However, due to certain unsavory connotations (as well as the need for more gender neutral terminology), both male and female massage practitioners go by the term “massage therapist”.

Deep tissue massage Deep tissue massage uses more pressure than Swedish massage. This is a good choice for people with chronic muscle problems such as soreness, injury or imbalance. Deep tissue massage helps relieve muscle tension, chronic muscle pain and anxiety.

For general tune-ups, consider scheduling a massage every four to six weeks. If you have a chronic condition or specific areas of strain and tension, consider scheduling a message every one to three weeks. If you're still unsure how often to get a massage, consider scheduling a consultation appointment.