...heaven, plain heaven.  Swedish Massage, the most popular form of bodywork in many parts of the world, is comprised mainly of long gliding strokes and kneading of muscles applied directly to the skin.  These strokes decrease congestion and improve circulation.  They help lengthen short muscles, and tone inhibited ones.  Pressure varies greatly according to client tolerance.  **Deep tissue massage is not a modality itself, but rather refers to a Swedish massage of the highest level of pressure.  This work is extremely effective for stripping away daily stress and tension and is what most people think of when they hear the word massage.  It's possible with this work to add essential oils for medicinal and aromatherapy benefits.

...the technician at work.  Therapeutic (Orthopedic) massage is a field of bodywork where Swedish techniques are combined with many others, often derived from osteopathic manual medicine including: myofascial release therapy, positional release, muscle energy techniques, etc...  These techniques are used to address musculoskeletal imbalances in the body i.e. where one shoulder is higher than the other, the back is twisted to one side, one leg is shorter, the neck is tilted to one side, there is pain in only one glute, and so on.  These techniques involve placing pressure or using resistance or friction in specific places to override the existing patterns held by nervous system.  Often Ortho involves active participation from the client which is often favored by athletes.  Though the work is technical, it can be woven into a Swedish session so that it isn't jarring and choppy.