​What Is a Classic Massage—and Where Can You Get One?​

18 Apr 2025
min read
Brendan Cox
Aescape

The massage you’re probably picturing right now? That’s a classic.

When most people hear the word massage, their brain goes straight to the classics: long, flowing strokes, soft background music, maybe a little lavender in the air. That’s Swedish massage—aka the standard in most spas and wellness centers. It’s relaxing, easy on the muscles, and a great place to start if you’re new to massage.

But not every massage has to follow that script.

At Aescape, we don’t offer traditional Swedish massages. What we do offer is something a little different—and a lot more customizable. Every Aescape session is designed around you: your preferred pressure, your focus areas, your comfort level. So while the experience can feel just as calming as a Swedish massage, it’s not one-size-fits-all. It’s more like: what does your body need today?

So... what exactly is a Swedish massage?

Swedish massage is known for its gentle, flowing techniques—like gliding strokes, soft kneading, and light rhythmic tapping. It’s meant to promote calm, ease general muscle tension, and give your mind a little break too. According to Cleveland Clinic, this style helps “release muscle tension” and is often the default style in spas across the U.S.

It’s great when:

  • You’re feeling mentally frazzled

  • Your body’s tense but not sore

  • You want to feel refreshed, not “worked on”

But here’s the thing: it’s not the only way to get those benefits.

A more flexible way to unwind

With Aescape, you can still get the calming, restorative vibe of a classic massage—but with a massage experience that’s actually designed around your routine. Want to focus on your low back and glutes after a long week of sitting (or squatting)? Cool. Looking for something that helps ease post-workout soreness without going too deep? We’ve got sessions for that too.

We’re big fans of building massage into your weekly rhythm—whether you’re recovering from the gym, managing stress, or just making time for intentional rest. (We talk about that more in this article).

And while we may not offer Swedish massage by name, our experience is every bit as supportive, grounding, and feel-good—without the small talk or scheduling headaches.

Let us know you enjoyed this read by booking a massage and using code BLOG for $10 off your first session (30 minutes and up!). Wanna share your thoughts? We’d love to hear from you. Give us a shout at @LetsAescape on social!