21 July 2026 · 4 min read
What to expect from your first deep tissue massage
First-timers usually arrive with two questions: how sore is this going to be, and do I have to take everything off. Here is what actually happens.
We start with a conversation
The first five to ten minutes are a check-in. What hurts, what you do all day, what you train, what you want from the hour. It shapes everything that follows.
Pressure should be strong, not brutal
Good deep tissue sits at the edge where you can still breathe. If you are holding your breath or gripping the table, the pressure is too much and the muscle will guard against it. Say so — adjusting is part of the work, not a failure.
Draping, clothing and comfort
You undress to your level of comfort and stay covered by a sheet throughout; only the area being worked on is uncovered. For mobile sessions I bring the table and linen with me.
Afterwards
Expect to feel loose and a little heavy. Some tenderness the next day is normal, similar to a good gym session. Drink water, move gently, and avoid a heavy training day immediately after your first deep session.
Want this worked on?
Studio sessions in Melrose Estate and mobile across Johannesburg.
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