The best deep tissue massages in London
When you picture your perfect massage, what comes to mind? For some, it's the soothing, sweeping motions of a Swedish massage. But for anyone who feels like a walking ball of knots, the kneading intensity of a deep tissue massage promises sweet relief. That's when it's a perfect time to be in the UK's capital. London's best deep tissue massages are plentiful and can be found near you in London's best spas, at iconic hotels and even delivered to you in the comfort of your home. Here are our five favourite places to book a deep tissue massage in London.
Aman Spa at The Connaught Hotel
Located a five-minute walk from Bond Street station, this traditional red-brick Mayfair hotel is small but perfectly formed. Inside, the low-lit spa features five treatment rooms for full body massage (from Thai massage to CBD and pregnancy massages), body treatments and complementary therapies.
Enjoy your deep tissue massage with a side of luxury in the form of a fluffy robe and slippers, a herbal tea on arrival and music for deep relaxation. Afterwards, rehydrate in the relaxation area before ascending back into the buzz of Mayfair, minus the muscle tension.
Cloud Twelve - Notting Hill
Any deep tissue massage is likely to help with tired muscles, but Notting Hill spa Cloud Twelve takes a holistic approach so you leave with a refreshed mind, too. They recommend arriving before your treatment to unwind with a guided meditation in the thermal area and salt room, or staying after for the sauna and steam room. Their holistic deep tissue massage starts at £160 for 60 minutes.
Sofitel London St James
A world away from its busy central London location (near Piccadilly Circus), the Sofitel Spa offers treatment bookers the use of a private steam room, Zen lounge and hydrotherapy jet bath. Their deep pressure massage (from £130 for 60 minutes) has earned them rave reviews thanks to luxury touches like the scent of essential oils and the warmth of a heated massage bed.
Sense Spa at Rosewood London
A grand, imposing building tucked behind High Holborn with an interior full of playfulness, the Rosewood is elegant without being too serious. The Sense Spa is a cosy cocoon to retreat to, with spa facilities like a relaxation room, sauna and steam room all clad in black slate. Book a deep tissue massage here and experience the tension-melting effects of hot stone and massage gun work, integrated into the full body massage as standard.
Alternatively, experience uniquely British body treatments like the Detoxifying body ritual using Epsom salt or the British Rose Body Massage.
Urban mobile massage - London-wide
Save on time and money – without sacrificing quality – with an at-home deep tissue massage from Urban. With over 15 styles of body treatments available, from deep tissue massage to sports massage, Thai massage to lymphatic drainage, Urban makes it easy to enjoy spa experiences on demand.
With bookings available from 7am-11pm daily, it's ideal if you're travelling to London for work and need a quick pick-me-up at the end of a tiring day. And with over 1 million treatments delivered and counting, it's easy to see why many think of Urban for the best massages in London.
Read next
More about deep tissue massage
Deep tissue massage is a style of massage that uses medium to firm pressure to break up scar tissue and knots (also known as muscle adhesions). As well as causing muscle aches and pains, these knots can block circulation and cause more tension to build up.
Deep tissue massage treatments typically start with medium pressure that builds up. Therapists will apply pressure using their elbows, knuckles and forearms to work deeper in the muscles and surrounding connective tissues and boost blood flow (and in turn healing oxygen) to the muscles. It can feel a bit sore afterwards - especially if you're new to getting deep tissue massages – but should never feel painful.
While some might find relief from lower back pain from a deep tissue massage, at Urban we recommend our specialist injury/pain management massage delivered by therapists who have undergone extra training. It’s specifically designed to deal with common issues like frozen shoulder, pinched nerve, shoulder and lower back pain.
Give yourself at least an hour post-massage to recover, being sure to drink plenty of water. Bear in mind you’re likely to feel a little sore for up to 72 hours after a deep tissue treatment, but you should be able to go about your normal activities in the meantime.
It's not recommended to get any type of massage in your first trimester of pregnancy. From 13 weeks, the only massage we recommend booking at Urban is our specialist pregnancy treatment. That's because therapists have extra training and insurance to ensure a safe massage.