Quick answer
Self-pay medical massage at Circle Wellness
Circle Wellness offers both deep tissue massage and myofascial release in Melville, for patients paying directly for their care.
Credit cards
Debit cards
Cash
Checks
HSA/FSA, subject to eligibility
Ask about the current self-pay rate, session length and any separate charges, and tell the team which technique you’re curious about.
Call or text. Melville Corporate Plaza, 25 Melville Park Rd, Suite 200 B.
The two techniques, side by side
Both appear on Circle Wellness’s list of medical massage techniques. Here is how the clinic describes each one.
Deep tissue massage
Myofascial release
Quoted descriptions are from the Circle Wellness medical massage page.
What deep tissue massage involves
“Deep tissue” is a widely used name without one agreed definition. A case report published in the medical literature notes there is no commonly accepted definition, and that some authors describe it as oblique pressure using lengthening and cross-fiber strokes that may reach deeper muscles and tissues.
Circle Wellness describes it as work that targets deeper muscle layers, and lists it for severe tension, sports injuries and chronic pain. Pressure is adjustable. Healthline’s guidance is that massage shouldn’t feel painful at any time, and that you should say what you want from the session.
What myofascial release involves
Fascia is the connective tissue that surrounds muscles. Myofascial release works on it with gentle pressure held over time.
Circle Wellness lists myofascial release for flexibility, posture and chronic pain. Because the pressure is gentler, it can be a reasonable thing to ask about if deeper pressure doesn’t suit you.
What the research actually shows
Neither technique has strong evidence behind it, and the evidence is insufficient to show that any one massage type works better than another. That’s worth knowing before you pay for either.
- Comparing massage types: NCCIH reports that a 2016 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality evaluation looked at 6 studies comparing different types of massage for low-back pain and found the evidence insufficient to show whether any type was more effective.
- Massage for low-back pain overall: a 2015 review of 25 studies found short-term improvements, but the studies were low quality and the reviewers had very little confidence that massage is effective for low-back pain.
- Myofascial release for chronic pain: a 2018 systematic review of 8 trials concluded the evidence was not sufficient to warrant myofascial release for chronic musculoskeletal pain. In the low-back pain and fibromyalgia trials, effects did not reach the minimal clinically important difference.
- Myofascial release for neck pain: a 2023 review found improvement in pressure pain threshold (how much pressure it takes before an area hurts) in people with chronic neck pain, with low-to-moderate evidence that may change.
Some people find short-term relief from massage worthwhile. These findings don’t establish that a particular technique or number of sessions will help you.
How to decide what to ask for
Use this as a starting point for the conversation, not a diagnosis.
Ask about deep tissue if
- You prefer deeper pressure and have tolerated it before.
- Your concern matches what the clinic lists it for: severe tension, sports injuries or chronic pain.
- Some soreness afterward is acceptable to you.
Ask about myofascial release if
- You're sensitive to pressure or want to limit soreness.
- Your goals are around flexibility or posture.
- You'd like a slower, sustained style of work.
Talk to a healthcare provider first
NCCIH advises not to use massage to postpone seeing a healthcare provider about a medical problem, and to discuss your concerns with a provider if you’re unsure massage is appropriate. Some rare serious side effects have involved vigorous massage such as deep tissue, or people at higher risk of injury, such as older adults.
You don’t have to choose alone. At Circle Wellness, the session starts with an assessment of your concerns and goals, and your therapist designs the approach around them.1 To compare approaches before you call, try the Massage Finder, or read about massage types for muscle pain.
What Does the Soreness and safety
Cleveland Clinic notes that soreness after a massage is normal, especially if you haven’t had one in a while or it’s your first. A massage therapist there compares it to the soreness after a good workout. Healthline says deep tissue is one of the types more likely to cause soreness, and suggests lighter pressure if you want to avoid it.
Cleveland Clinic’s suggestions for easing it include drinking water before and after, light stretching, and a warm bath or shower. Healthline advises seeing a doctor if you have neck or back pain after a massage, especially if you’re unsure of the cause.
On safety, NCCIH says the risk of harmful effects from massage appears low, though rare serious side effects such as a blood clot, nerve injury or bone fracture have been reported.
Booking a self-pay session in Melville
Circle Wellness is in Melville Corporate Plaza at 25 Melville Park Rd, Suite 200 B, near Route 110 and LIE Exit 49. All medical massage services are performed by the licensed therapists at Enso Acupuncture and Massage, PLLC. Published hours are Monday to Friday, 10 AM to 7 PM, and Saturday, 10 AM to 2 PM.
Ask when you call
- What is the current self-pay rate, and how long is the session?
- Can I mention that I’m interested in deep tissue or myofascial release?
- Is there a separate charge for a first visit or assessment?
- What should I tell the therapist about my history before we start?
Paying with an FSA or HSA? Card acceptance doesn’t establish that a session qualifies. See our guides to using your FSA for medical massage and letters of medical necessity.
FAQs
What is the difference between deep tissue massage and myofascial release?
Deep tissue massage works with pressure aimed at deeper muscle layers. Myofascial release uses gentle, sustained pressure on the fascia, the connective tissue around muscles. Circle Wellness offers both.
Which is better for back pain?
Research hasn’t shown one type of massage to be more effective than another for low-back pain, and evidence for massage overall is limited. Discuss your symptoms with a healthcare provider, and talk through your goals with your therapist.
Does deep tissue massage hurt?
It works on deeper muscle layers and is more likely than lighter massage to leave you sore afterward, but it shouldn’t feel painful. Tell your therapist if the pressure is too much; it can be adjusted.
Is myofascial release gentle?
Circle Wellness describes it as gentle, sustained pressure on the fascia. That makes it worth asking about if deeper pressure doesn’t suit you.
Will I be sore after a massage?
You might be. Soreness is common after massage, especially a first one or after deeper work. Water, light stretching and a warm bath or shower may help. See a doctor if pain persists or you’re unsure of the cause.
Is deep tissue massage safe?
The overall risk of harm from massage appears low, but rare serious side effects have been reported, some involving vigorous massage such as deep tissue or people at higher risk of injury. Ask a healthcare provider if you’re unsure massage suits you.
Can I ask for a specific technique when I book?
Yes, mention it when you call. Your therapist will also assess your concerns and goals at the start of the session and shape the approach from there.
Can I book and pay directly at Circle Wellness?
Yes. Circle Wellness accepts credit cards, debit cards, checks and cash, plus eligible HSA/FSA payments.
How much does a self-pay session cost?
Call or text (631) 888-5957 for the current fee and available session lengths. Ask what’s included and whether there are any separate charges.
Final Takeaway
Trigger point injections may help selected patients when piriformis or deep-gluteal muscular pain contributes to sciatica-like symptoms. They are not a universal sciatica treatment.
A responsible plan should identify the pain source, screen for neurological red flags, evaluate the spine and hip, explain the injection, set realistic expectations, measure response, and combine symptom relief with rehabilitation when appropriate.
The goal is to determine whether the piriformis meaningfully contributes to symptoms and whether an injection offers reasonable benefit compared with the risks and alternatives.
Ask about a self-pay session
Call or text (631) 888-5957 to ask about deep tissue massage or myofascial release, current rates and session lengths at Circle Wellness in Melville.
