You leave your massage feeling loose, relaxed, and wonderfully noodle-like, only to wake up the next morning wondering why your shoulders suddenly feel like you worked out at the gym.
Sound familiar?
Mild muscle soreness after a massage can happen, particularly after deeper or more focused bodywork. Fortunately, temporary tenderness usually isn’t a reason for concern.
Understanding why muscles feel sore after a massage can help you know what to expect and how to make your recovery more comfortable. Let’s explore the science behind the soreness!
Is It Normal to Feel Sore After a Massage?
Some people experience mild soreness or tenderness after massage, while others experience none at all. It may be more noticeable if you received deep tissue massage, haven’t had a massage recently, or had significant muscle tension before your appointment.
This post-massage tenderness is generally temporary. If the discomfort is intense, worsening, or lasts more than a couple of days, however, it’s a good idea to contact a healthcare professional.
Why Do Muscles Feel Sore After a Massage?
Massage therapists use pressure, compression, kneading, stretching, and other techniques to manipulate muscles and surrounding soft tissues. When your therapist spends time working on particularly tight or sensitive areas, those tissues may temporarily feel tender afterward.
Think about how your muscles sometimes feel after trying a new workout. Massage isn’t exercise, of course, but unfamiliar or relatively intense mechanical pressure can similarly leave an area feeling sensitive for a short period.
Your individual sensitivity matters, too. The amount of pressure that feels perfectly comfortable to one client might be too intense for another.
Does Deep Tissue Massage Cause More Soreness?
In short, yes, it can. Deep tissue massage typically involves slower, more focused pressure than a gentle relaxation massage. If your therapist is addressing chronically tight areas or particularly tender muscles, you may notice more post-massage soreness.
However, more soreness does not necessarily mean you received a better massage.
Massage pressure should always remain within a tolerable range. If something feels painfully intense during your session, tell your therapist. Communication allows them to adjust the pressure or technique while still working toward your goals.
How Can You Reduce Soreness After a Massage?
Give your body a little recovery time after your appointment. Gentle movement, such as walking or easy stretching, may feel good and help prevent you from becoming stiff. A warm shower or bath can also be soothing for tender muscles.
If possible, avoid scheduling your most intense workout immediately after a particularly deep massage. Giving yourself some downtime lets you enjoy that relaxed post-massage feeling rather than immediately asking your muscles to work overtime.
And while staying adequately hydrated is always a healthy habit, you don’t need to chug gallons of water to “flush toxins” after your massage. Your body already has organs that handle that job quite efficiently!
When Should Post-Massage Pain Be a Concern?
Normal post-massage soreness should be relatively mild and improve fairly quickly. Sharp pain, significant bruising, numbness, tingling, swelling, or severe discomfort is different and shouldn’t simply be dismissed as normal massage soreness.
If you experience unusual or persistent symptoms, contact an appropriate healthcare professional. You should also let your massage therapist know so future sessions can be modified.
Enjoy a Massage Customized to Your Body
So, why do muscles feel sore after a massage?
In many cases, it’s simply a temporary response to pressure and manipulation of tight or sensitive tissues. The key is finding a level of pressure that feels therapeutic without overwhelming your body.
At Simply Massage, a locally owned massage studio in Avon, Colorado, every session can be tailored to your comfort level, preferences, and goals. Whether you’re looking for deep therapeutic work or an hour of pure relaxation, communication with your therapist helps create the right massage for you.
Ready to give those hardworking muscles some attention? Book your next massage at Simply Massage and let us help you relax, recover, and feel your best.