Deep Tissue Massage with Sarga Bodywork in Columbus, Ohio

If you’re looking for deep tissue massage that creates lasting relief—not just temporary relaxation—Sarga Bodywork offers a powerful, effective approach. This form of deep tissue massage uses the therapist’s feet, body weight, and slow, intentional strokes to access chronic tension, adhesions, and deeply held patterns in the body.

Unlike traditional deep tissue massage performed only with hands and elbows, Sarga Bodywork allows for broad, grounded pressure that works deeply without feeling pokey or aggressive. The result is a deeply therapeutic massage that helps restore mobility, reduce pain, and leave you feeling both open and supported. This style of deep tissue massage is especially helpful for clients who feel like “nothing ever gets deep enough” or who carry long-standing tension from stress, posture, or repetitive movement.

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About Deep Tissue Massage Using Sarga Bodywork

Sarga Bodywork is a form of deep tissue massage designed to address chronic pain, restricted movement, and long-standing muscle tension. By using the therapist’s feet and body weight instead of hands alone, this approach allows for deeper, more consistent pressure while remaining supportive to the nervous system.

This style of deep tissue massage works slowly and intentionally, helping the body release tension patterns that are often difficult to reach with traditional massage techniques. Clients often describe the experience as grounding, effective, and surprisingly gentle despite the depth of the work.

Sarga Bodywork is especially beneficial for people who need deep tissue massage for chronic issues but prefer an approach that feels steady and controlled rather than sharp or aggressive.

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  • Sarga Bodywork is a therapeutic form of deep tissue massage designed to address chronic muscle tension, pain, and restricted movement. This approach focuses on slow, intentional work that allows deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue to soften gradually, making it especially effective for long-standing tension patterns.

  • By using the feet to apply pressure, Sarga Bodywork delivers broad, even contact rather than sharp or localized force. This allows the body to receive deep tissue massage more comfortably, often leading to longer-lasting relief and improved mobility compared to techniques that rely heavily on thumbs or elbows.

  • Sarga Bodywork emphasizes slow, sustained pressure rather than quick or repetitive movements. This helps the nervous system relax, allowing the body to release tension more effectively. Many clients find this approach to deep tissue massage feels grounding and supportive rather than intense or overwhelming.

  • Overhead support straps are an integral part of Sarga Bodywork, providing balance and stability for the therapist. This system allows pressure to be applied gradually and precisely using body weight, ensuring deep tissue massage is both controlled and adaptable to each client’s comfort level.

  • Using the feet allows pressure to be distributed over a larger surface area, reducing the sharp or poking sensations sometimes associated with traditional deep tissue massage. This makes Sarga Bodywork an effective option for clients who need deep work but prefer a more comfortable experience.

  • Sarga Bodywork is influenced by traditional Thai massage principles such as grounding, mindful movement, and working with the body rather than against it. These concepts are adapted into a table-based deep tissue massage focused on myofascial release and therapeutic results rather than assisted stretching.

  • Sarga Bodywork is well-suited for clients who feel traditional deep tissue massage has not provided lasting relief. By combining deep, sustained pressure with a nervous-system-aware approach, this technique can help address chronic issues that require more than surface-level work.

Our Licensed Massage Therapist - Columbus, Ohio

Jessica High, LMT, BCTMP, CPT

A woman with short, curly red hair, wearing glasses and a green top, smiling at the camera.

Jessica is a Board Certified Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT) and Board Certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (BCTMB) with over 10 years of experience helping clients move and feel better through therapeutic massage. Jessica’s passion and focus is on helping others feel better through massage, releasing tension, movement, and exercise.

In 2017, she completed a 200 hour myofascial-based yoga teacher training to improve clients’ mobility and mindset through her classes. She then completed her Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) credentials to better understand the importance of strengthening and exercise management. In 2018, she gained her certification in Orthopedic Massage through the Academy of Clinical Massage and spent seven years running an orthopedic massage practice in Massachusetts before bringing her expertise to Columbus in 2025. Jessica also taught Anatomy & Physiology and Sports Massage at Bancroft School of Massage Therapy from 2020 to 2025.

Whether the goal is acute or chronic pain relief, improved mobility, or deep relaxation, her work blends technical precision with intuitive care to create a unique and custom treatment experience that is both effective and restorative. Jessica takes time with her clients, fully listens, and is highly educational. As a passionate learner and educator, Jessica is continually expanding her skills to provide clients with the most effective and evidence-informed care possible. Her goal is to help clients move freely with less pain, and feel better in their bodies. 

Common Conditions Treated with Deep Tissue Massage

    • Chronic neck pain

    • Shoulder pain and tension

    • Upper back and mid-back pain

    • Chronic low back pain

    • Persistent muscle knots and trigger points

    • Long-standing muscle tension that hasn’t responded to other deep tissue massage

    • Desk-related neck, shoulder, and back pain

    • Tech neck and forward head posture

    • Repetitive strain injuries (RSI)

    • Muscle imbalances from prolonged sitting or standing

    • Postural dysfunction and muscular compensation patterns

    • Hip pain and restricted hip mobility

    • Glute and piriformis muscle tension

    • Sciatic nerve–related discomfort

    • Hamstring tightness

    • Calf and lower leg muscle tension

    • Sacral and pelvic tension

    • Athletic overuse injuries

    • Sports-related muscle soreness

    • Reduced range of motion from training

    • Muscle stiffness from running, cycling, or weightlifting

    • Deep tissue massage for athletic recovery and performance support

    • Stress-induced muscle tension

    • Chronic tightness related to emotional or mental stress

    • Difficulty relaxing during traditional deep tissue massage

    • Body-wide tension patterns linked to nervous system overload

    • Limited joint mobility

    • Reduced flexibility

    • Stiffness with bending, twisting, or rotation

    • Feeling restricted or compressed in the body

    • Loss of mobility due to chronic muscle tightness

What to Expect During Your Deep Tissue Massage Session

Your deep tissue massage session will take place on a massage table, fully clothed or minimally draped, depending on your comfort and treatment goals. The therapist uses secure overhead straps for balance and support, allowing them to apply slow, controlled pressure using their feet.

Sessions focus on:

  • Slow, sustained strokes rather than quick or repetitive movements

  • Broad pressure that allows tissues to soften gradually

  • Working with the nervous system so your body can let go safely

Pressure is always adjustable, and communication is encouraged throughout the session. Many clients find this approach to deep tissue massage feels surprisingly grounding and less intense than traditional elbow-based work, even though it reaches deeper layers.

You may experience:

  • A sense of deep release rather than sharp discomfort

  • Improved range of motion

  • A feeling of being taller, lighter, or more aligned afterward

Some mild soreness is normal after deep tissue massage, especially when addressing chronic tension, but most clients report feeling relief and ease within a day or two.

Deep Tissue Massage Service Options

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  • "Jessica is an expert at customizing the massage to relieve pain, and she communicates effectively and compassionately. My chronic pain issues have dramatically decreased and I always look forward to appointments because I know I will walk away feeling like my best self. If you're new to "medical massage," I would describe it as a mix of stretching and massage with more of a clinical vibe instead of a spa vibe."

    —Kristie

  • "I can’t say enough about Jess’ care and expertise. At the beginning of each session, she asks what’s on my list of ailments and always finds a way to locate and relieve tension I didn’t realize I was carrying. As a LMT, I so appreciate her ability to carry on a great conversation during or allow me to fully relax in a peace during treatment. It’s always a joy to see her and leave each session with relief in a cloud of relaxation."

    —Emma

  • "Wow! Jessica is magical! Just had the most amazing massage. Went in with tension in my neck and shoulders and left feeling like a million bucks! This is not your average massage, she is highly skilled and the most wonderful person! Highly recommend you gift yourself this experience."

    —Tim

Deep Tissue Massage FAQ

  • Arrive a few minutes early to unwind, use the restroom if needed, and complete any brief intake forms. Wear comfortable clothing and come hydrated.

  • Your therapist will begin with a short consultation to discuss your goals, areas of tension, and preferred pressure level. The session is tailored completely to you, with relaxing music, a heated table, and open communication throughout.

  • You’ll undress to your level of comfort. Most clients choose to undress fully or to their undergarments, and you’ll be draped securely at all times — only the area being worked on will be uncovered.

  • You are always in control of your experience. Please let your therapist know if you’d like to adjust the temperature, pressure, music, or anything else.

  • It depends on your goals. For acute pain or injury recovery, weekly or biweekly sessions may be beneficial. For general wellness or stress relief, monthly sessions often help maintain results. Jessica can recommend a personalized treatment plan after your first visit.

  • Absolutely. Many clients find that combining therapies enhances their results. Massage can be scheduled on the same day as acupuncture or Reiki, or on alternating days depending on your goals, your body’s needs, and how you respond to detoxification. Your practitioners can help you decide what timing and combination will best support your healing process.

  • Some mild soreness is normal after deep tissue massage, particularly when working with chronic tension. This usually resolves within 24–48 hours and is often followed by improved mobility and reduced pain.

  • Yes. Sarga Bodywork is a form of deep tissue massage that focuses on slow, sustained pressure to address chronic muscle tension, pain, and restricted movement. While the therapist uses their feet instead of hands, the goals and therapeutic outcomes align closely with traditional deep tissue massage.

  • Deep tissue massage should feel effective but not painful. Because Sarga Bodywork uses broad pressure rather than sharp elbows or thumbs, many clients find it more comfortable than traditional deep tissue massage. Pressure is always adjusted based on your comfort level, and communication is encouraged throughout the session.

  • The therapist uses overhead support straps to maintain balance and apply pressure safely and precisely. This allows for consistent, controlled deep tissue massage without sudden or excessive force.

  • While both techniques involve using the feet, Sarga Bodywork emphasizes slow, flowing movements, nervous system regulation, and consistent pressure. It is less focused on static compression and more on therapeutic movement through the tissues.