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The Daily Insight

Is it normal to be sore after a massage

Author

Sarah Silva

Updated on April 17, 2026

A: Experiencing sore or tight muscles is normal after a massage, especially if it has been a while since your last massage or you’ve never had one before. Massage is like exercise: It forces blood into your muscles, bringing nutrients and removing toxins.

Why am I more sore after a massage?

It’s normal to feel sore after a massage. The technique carries blood and nutrients to your muscles while eliminating toxins. After stimulating muscles that you may not usually use, you might experience delayed onset muscle soreness. This is a physical response to the inflammation as your body heals.

Is it normal to hurt the day after a massage?

Post massage muscle soreness is common to experience after receiving a deep tissue massage. Some clients begin to feel achy straight away, while most people tend to experience soreness the following day.

What should you not do after a massage?

  • Don’t #1. Don’t Forget to Drink Water.
  • Don’t #2. Don’t Shower Immediately.
  • Don’t #3. Don’t Shower With Hot Water.
  • Don’t #4. Don’t Eat a Heavy Meal After a Massage.
  • Don’t #5. …
  • To Summarise, Here are Tips to Follow After a Massage.

Does massage Really release toxins?

This is a fact: Massage has many health benefits. Massage can reduce stress, tension, heart rate, blood pressure, sore muscles, and joint pain. Massage can increase endorphins, blood circulation, and immune functions. This is also a fact: Massage does not remove toxins that are stored in the body.

Why do massages hurt but feel good?

The therapist’s touch causes an immediate reaction in your brain. As soon as your skin’s nerve cells feel pressure, they signal the brain to release feel-good chemicals called endorphins, which boost your mood and give you a natural high.

Is too much deep tissue massage bad?

It would usually be mild with massage, but not necessarily. Excessive pressure can probably cause “rhabdo”: poisoning by proteins liberated from injured muscle, a “muscle crush” injury. For example: an 88-year old man collapsed the day after an unusually strong 2-hour session of massage therapy.

Are massages supposed to hurt?

Massages are not supposed to hurt. However, they may sometimes, but that’s usually due to poor technique.

Is it OK to take a shower after massage?

The bottom line is that you can shower after your massage if it’s your preference, but you should shower safely. Take your time getting up from the massage table, listen to your body before stepping into the shower, and monitor the heat of the water to make sure the temp doesn’t get too hot.

How often should you get a massage?

Actually, you can get massaged too frequently. Once a week is the most you should go unless you are dealing with pain or high-intensity sports. Between you and your therapist, you’ll be able to determine the best frequency because your body’s response is a large part of this determination.

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How often should you get a massage for knots?

How often should you massage muscle knots? For the best results, you should massage each muscle group for up to 6 minutes a day. This is entirely dependent on each individual and how bad the muscle knot is. You can massage muscle knots every day, but don’t over-do it as this could actually cause more irritation.

How long do knots in your back last?

Some doctors think the muscle spasms may affect blood flow, and that’s what makes the knotted area hurt. Other doctors say the pain could be caused by nerves that are triggered by the spasms. No matter what causes it, a muscle knot is painful, and this pain can linger for days or weeks.

Does massage help lose weight?

Weight Loss. Studies show that deep tissue massage contributes to improved metabolism and fat reduction. Receive massage in the area with excess fat accumulation and it will break up the fat stores, making it ready for absorption inside the body.

When should you not get a massage?

  • Fever. Anytime you have a fever, whether from a cold, the flu or some other infection, you should not get a massage. …
  • Contagious Diseases. …
  • Blood Clots. …
  • Pregnancy. …
  • Kidney Conditions or Liver Conditions. …
  • Cancer. …
  • Inflammation. …
  • Uncontrolled Hypertension.

What happens if you don't drink water after a massage?

When your head, neck and shoulders have been massaged it stimulates the lymphatic system, which in turn drives out toxins. This means water is essential to flush out the toxins, so if you don’t drink water after a massage, you can sometimes experience a slight headache.

Why I quit being a massage therapist?

The first five years of practice are the most difficult because you’re not used to the physical demands, and many massage therapists quit due to burnout. Acclimating to the emotional demands are difficult as well. Clients come to you with frustrations and complaints, often times breaking down and crying in the room.

What is the popping feeling during massage?

This popping or crunching feeling is breaking down what has built up, the body is then more able to flush out these toxins. Some clients may wince at this feeling others describe it as a ‘good pain’ and it instantly feels better once this has been done.

Can you hear muscle knots pop?

What are muscle knots? Muscle knots are typically found in your back, shoulders, and neck. They are stiff bands of muscle that have a hard knob in the centre, which is known as a trigger point. The pain can either pop up spontaneously (active) or when the trigger point is pressed (latent).

What should I do after massage?

  1. Schedule smartly. …
  2. Pump down the volume. …
  3. Watch your diet. …
  4. Stay hydrated. …
  5. Dress the part.
  6. Invest in regular massage. …
  7. Avoid strenuous activity. …
  8. Extend your “me” time.

Does rubbing a sore muscle help?

Properly applied massage can reduce soreness and inflamation and also reduces recovery time and also may enhance recovery response and may contribute to and enhance muscle growth. Yes, it will help release the lactic acid in muscles and relieves the soreness.

What are the side effects of a deep tissue massage?

  • Pain. Sometimes pain occurs during a massage because the muscles are not used to being manipulated. …
  • Sore Muscles. Sore muscles from a deep tissue massage feel a lot like those from a physical workout but usually improves over the next few days. …
  • A Headache. …
  • Nausea.

How many hours can you shower after massage?

Whether you receive an oil massage, aromatherapy, or reflexology, the answer is to not shower before a massage or after. Leave a few hour buffer period before doing so. When in the shower or a bath, the surface of the skin has increased blood circulation, which after a massage can lead to surface congestion.

Should you walk after a massage?

Massage and exercise are both part of a healthy lifestyle Strenuous exercise includes running, weight lifting, high-intensity aerobics, power yoga and more. Light exercise, such as moderate walking, gentle stretching or easy-paced swimming, are okay for most healthy individuals after their massage.

What does it feel like when a knot releases?

Muscles knots can cause aching sensations and pain in your muscles and joints. When you touch a muscle knot, it may feel swollen, tense, or bumpy. It could also feel tight and contracted, even when you’re trying to relax, and they’re often sensitive to the touch. The affected area may even become inflamed or swollen.

Can massage therapist feel tension?

Massage therapists are trained to feel where knots occur by looking for tension in the back, neck and shoulders. They find this tension and release it by applying deep compression with their thumb, fingers or elbow, and holding for 20-30 seconds.

What is the most painful massage?

Rolfing, a Painful Form of Massage, Regains Popularity – The New York Times.

How long do massage effects last?

Generally speaking, you may feel sore for a couple of days after the massage, which is normal. Beyond that, the benefits may last a couple of days to an entire week. There are some things you can do to help the relaxing, stress-relieving benefits last for as long as possible.

Are massages actually good for you?

Massage benefits can include: Reducing stress and increasing relaxation. Reducing pain and muscle soreness and tension. Improving circulation, energy and alertness.

Is a 30 minute massage long enough?

There are times when a 30-minute massage is more appropriate, for example, if you have a very small problem area like an elbow, if a client is not comfortable on a table for longer than 30 minutes, or if someone has a condition (like Rheumatoid Arthritis) where they are unsure how their body is going to respond.

Is it bad to get massages two days in a row?

Can I get a massage two days in a row? You can enjoy a relaxation massage once a year or two days in a row or even twice a day for relaxation without harm. You can benefit from massage sessions once every week or two to keep your muscles, joints and tissues pliable and in good shape.

What type of massage gets rid of knots?

Deep tissue: The best massage to relieve stress and muscle tension. Deep tissue massage can loosen painful “knots” and realign deeper layers of muscle through a combination of firm pressure and slow strokes. Your therapist will not only work on the usual muscles but on the connective tissue as well.