Massage Match: which massage is right for me?

Choose the massage that matches what you want to change. For stress or a first visit, Swedish. For chronic knots, deep tissue. For people who want more pressure than anyone gives them, Ashiatsu. For tight hips and legs, Thai. For cold, stiff muscles, hot stone. For headaches and anxiety, aromatherapy. For pregnancy aches, pregnancy massage.

The quiz above uses the same logic Jessie uses when a new client calls and says, “I don’t know what to book.” It weighs your main goal most heavily, then the area that bothers you, then how much pressure you like. The table below lays out the same thinking so you can check the answer for yourself.

Start with your goal, not the name

Massage names describe technique, which is not much help when all you know is that your lower back hurts. Start with the outcome you want: sleeping better, turning your head without a twinge, getting through ski season without your knees and hips locking up. Then match it to the style built for that outcome. If two styles fit, choose the one whose pressure sounds better to you.

Pressure matters more than people think

Plenty of people assume deeper is better. It is not, if your muscles brace against it. Good pressure feels strong but lets you breathe slowly. If you have had massages that felt too light, say so and try deep tissue or Ashiatsu. If past massages left you sore for days, ask for medium pressure, or start with Swedish and build up.

You can change your mind on the table

Every style at Work Well costs the same, so the style you book is a starting point, not a contract. Jessie blends techniques in most sessions: warm stones on a cold back, a few Thai stretches for tight hips, slower deep work on one stubborn shoulder. Tell her what you want to feel afterward, and she will adjust. See the massage prices for session lengths.

Hot stones and oils come with every style

Hot stones and aromatherapy are included in every session, so you do not have to choose between, say, deep tissue and hot stone. Warm stones before deep work on a stiff back, or calming oils during a Swedish massage, are common pairings. Ask for them when you book or when you arrive.

When the quiz is not enough

If you have a recent injury, surgery, a blood clot history or a condition your doctor is watching, check with your doctor before you book, whatever the quiz suggests. If you are pregnant, pregnancy massage is offered after the first trimester, with your provider’s OK. Not sure what to say about where it hurts? The Tension Map helps you describe it.