Deep tissue massage aim is to release chronic aches and pain from contracted muscles in areas such: neck, shoulders and upper back, low back,and legs.
The massage is very similar to Swedish massage which uses strong pressure; slow, deep strokes; and friction across the muscle grain to release chronic muscle tension but the deeper pressure which helps with the release of chronic muscle tension.
Deep tissue massage is therapeutic and done properly should cause neither excessive pain for the patient nor strain for the RMT.