Oil Massage or Stretching? Understanding the Differences and the Benefits of Combining Them

By Gabriel Noël-Letendre, RMPQ Certified Massage Therapist

We know oil massage for its deep relaxation benefits and assisted stretching massage for its ability to make the body more supple. But how to choose between the two if you want to reduce muscle tension, relax deeply, improve mobility, and enjoy the benefits for as long as possible?

The best option might be not to choose at all. Integrative massage begins with an oil massage to deeply release muscles, followed by targeted stretching to restore range of motion. But is this approach really more effective? And who is it recommended for?

Let’s discover this technique that combines movement science with today’s realities to relieve overly tense bodies in limited time.

The Effects of Pressure Massage

Massage, with or without oil, applies pressure to soft tissues (muscles, fascia, skin) to reduce pain, decrease stiffness, and promote relaxation.

• It slightly increases local circulation, which nourishes tissues and helps release and prevent tension.

• The slow, steady touch soothes the nervous system and activates the parasympathetic system, reducing stress and improving the sense of safety. This allows for relaxation and lets movement happen without guarding or tensing up.

• Tissue mobilization decreases the sensation of stiffness.

• Sustained pressure desensitizes trigger points (small, highly sensitive areas).

Conditions Commonly Improved by Pressure Massage

• Neck and shoulder tension: Stiffness in the trapezius and neck linked to prolonged work, stress, or screen time.

• Back pain: Muscle stiffness or spasms in the lower back that limit movement.

• Tension headaches: Pain originating from trigger points in the neck and upper back.

• Tendinopathies (tendinitis): Such as tennis elbow or shoulder tendinitis, where massage helps decrease pain, improve tendon function, remodel scar tissue, and increase blood flow to the tendon.

• Sciatica (Piriformis Syndrome): Tension in the glutes compressing the sciatic nerve and radiating down the leg.

• Stress and anxiety: Thanks to its direct effect on the nervous system.

• Jaw pain: By releasing the masticatory (chewing) muscles.

The Effects of Stretching

Contrary to popular belief, stretching doesn't actually lengthen muscles. It primarily helps the nervous system tolerate elongation better. It has little effect on deep stiffness, but it stimulates circulation, reduces perceived stiffness, improves movement tolerance, and thus increases range of motion more effectively than massage alone.

Slow breathing combined with movement plays a crucial role: it calms the stress response and gives the body a sense of safety, allowing it to go a little further without pain. This is why your therapist may suggest taking breaths.

Another often overlooked benefit: stretching improves body awareness. Since massage is passive, it is sometimes difficult for the client to pinpoint their sensitive zones. Stretching movements help identify limited areas, giving the client more autonomy to understand and maintain their body afterwards.

Conditions Commonly Improved by Stretching

• Shortened muscles linked to posture: E.g., tight pectorals in people often leaning forward, such as those spending a lot of time in front of a computer or phone.

• Plantar fasciitis: Where calf stretching is a first-line treatment.

• Rehabilitation: (When authorized by a doctor) to limit stiffness after surgery, joint replacement, or ligament injury.

• Osteoarthritis: Where gentle stretching helps keep joints more mobile.

• Muscle cramps: Where static stretching calms spasms.

Combining Massage and Stretching: Integrative Massage

As practiced by Gabriel Noël-Letendre during a therapeutic appointment, integrative massage uses two complementary approaches: oil massage (inspired by Swedish, Thai, and Deep Tissue massage) and stretching inspired by Thai Yoga Massage. With a specific sequence, this method respects the natural way the body relaxes and gets back into motion.

1. Calming the Nervous System 

Initially, muscles are often in protection mode. Gentle massage techniques, with or without oil, accompanied by slow breathing, send a safety signal to the nervous system. They help muscles lower their defense reflexes and prepare them to release tension.

2. Loosening the Tissues 

The oil massage that follows loosens the various muscle and fascial layers more deeply. It reduces sensitivity and improves tissue gliding. The slow, steady touch activates the parasympathetic system, decreases perceived tension, and promotes deep relaxation.

3. Adding Stretching 

Once the body is relaxed, stretching becomes more comfortable and effective. It restores range of motion and improves joint mobility. It also prolongs the effects of the oil massage by keeping tissues mobilized and helping the nervous system accept a greater range of motion without recreating tension.

Results 

Every person reacts differently, and effects can vary from one individual to another. That said, the sequence of massage → stretching generally allows for a deeper release, longer-lasting mobility, and better body awareness that promotes client autonomy. For many, integrative massage becomes a more complete and effective treatment than a strictly oil-based massage or one consisting solely of stretching.

What If We Started with Stretching Before Massage? 

This sequence can be useful to prepare the body to receive a massage that might otherwise be painful. For example, when the body is very stiff or numb, a few stretching movements can help reduce perceived stiffness and help the client better feel tense areas. The subsequent massage will be better targeted and potentially more pleasant.

When the Combination is Particularly Useful

• Posture-related problems: Rounded shoulders and forward head posture (Upper Crossed Syndrome), or arched lower back and anterior pelvic tilt (Lower Crossed Syndrome).

• Muscular and nerve pain: Low back pain (lumbago), neck stiffness, Piriformis Syndrome (sciatica-type pain).

• Pain linked to repetitive movement: Such as Iliotibial Band Syndrome (Runner’s Knee).

• Diffuse conditions: Such as fibromyalgia, mild arthritis, or generalized stress-related muscle pain, where a combination of gentle massage and mobilization is often better tolerated than isolated techniques.

Conclusion 

Integrative massage combines the deep release of massage with the freedom of movement provided by stretching. Together, these techniques optimize relaxation, improve mobility, and help the body regain more fluid and natural movement, while giving the client more autonomy.

It is an approach that many are already adopting for its lasting effects. You just have to try it to feel the difference.

Book a therapeutic massage session with Gabriel.