Deep tissue massages can cause discomfort, but they should not be excessively painful. We recommend a pressure level deeper than a Swedish massage during a deep tissue session. However, it's crucial to find a balance – deep enough for effectiveness but not to the point of causing discomfort or tension. If you find it difficult to breathe or experience muscle tension due to pain, it diminishes the overall value of the massage and may reduce its benefits. This could indicate that the therapist delved too deeply into the muscle tissue prematurely. Sometimes, additional warming up of the muscles is needed before progressing to deeper pressure.