Can massaging too much be bad?

Author: Ashlynn Ziemann  |  Last update: Sunday, June 15, 2025

Massage therapy is a great way to recuperate from injuries faster and can be vital for helping athletes reach peak physical fitness when playing sports. However, too much manipulation of sensitive areas and injured muscles is actually detrimental to the body's natural recovery process.

What happens if you massage too much?

Too much massage over a short period of time can lead to secondary fatigue and muscle pain. Kind of like working out too much, you gotta give the muscles a chance to rest up. Likewise, you can't just keep beating up a muscle with massage. Communication is key here.

Is it bad to have massage too often?

Too much massage over a short period of time can lead to secondary fatigue and muscle pain. Kind of like working out too much, you gotta give the muscles a chance to rest up. Likewise, you can't just keep beating up a muscle with massage. Communication is key here.

Can massaging too hard cause damage?

In rare cases, deep tissue massage can lead to nerve damage. This usually happens when too much pressure is applied near a nerve or when a nerve is compressed for an extended period. If you experience numbness, tingling, or sharp pain during your massage, speak up right away.

Is it possible to over massage your muscles?

When too much pressure is applied, your muscles take an additional beating that can lead to more bruises, nerve damage, and trauma. This pain can last days after your massage, and neither you nor your massage therapist would certainly want that.

Why do I get sore after a massage?

What happens if I massage my body everyday?

Overuse, especially with deep tissue or intense massages, can lead to muscle soreness and potential injuries, hindering the body's natural healing process.

Is a 2 hour massage too long?

A two-hour session may seem to be a little extreme to some, but seasoned massage connoisseurs love it! It's not recommended for newbies to massage. Your therapist can provide specific Ashiatsu Barefoot Massage, Deep Tissue work, Cupping, and even some stretching and Range Of Motion within this massage length.

Can a massage be too intense?

Every person has a different pain threshold, which makes it difficult to set a hard limit for how much pressure is too much. However, massage therapy should never feel acutely painful. If you feel a sharp pain during massage, the therapist is applying too much pressure.

What are three instances when massage is not recommended?

Tell the therapist if you have these conditions

Contagious skin conditions (boils, warts, or herpes) Other skin conditions (burns, rashes, or sores) Circulatory system issues (high blood pressure, varicose veins, or stroke) Digestive system issues (ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, or colitis)

Can nerves be damaged by massage?

Some cases of neuropathy occurring after undergoing massage for treating musculoskeletal pain have also been reported (5–11). However, to our knowledge, no cases of injury in the main trunk of the median nerve following the massage have been reported in the past.

What are the disadvantages of daily massage?

In rare cases, a massage can trigger headaches or feelings of nausea, especially if pressure points are stimulated excessively. This reaction may result from the body's response to releasing toxins during the massage.

What is the most pleasurable type of massage?

The Most Relaxing Types of Massages
  • Swedish Massage. The most common type of massage therapy, Swedish massage will help to relax you with a combination of specific movements including: ...
  • Hot Stone Massage. Another very relaxing type of massage is the hot stone massage. ...
  • Chair Massage. ...
  • Aromatherapy Massage.

How many massages is too many in a week?

The simple answer is: as often as you want! However, a more realistic answer depends on many factors, including your lifestyle, activity level, pain and physical needs, stress and emotional needs, and of course, your budget. Like many things in life, consistency is key when it comes to massage therapy.

What are the symptoms of detoxing after a massage?

Hydrating and resting can help alleviate these symptoms. After a massage, mild detox symptoms can occur as the body eliminates toxins. Common symptoms include fatigue, muscle soreness, and headaches due to the release of lactic acid and other waste products.

How long should you wait between massages?

It takes a good 48 hours for the system to rebalance after a deep massage, so at least a two day gap between massages is ideal. The frequency of sports massage is dependent on ones training schedule, however regular massage can help to maintain range of movement, flexibility and health of muscles.

Why do I feel unwell after a massage?

After a massage, lactic acid and metabolic waste products can be released into the bloodstream, causing flu-like symptoms and fatigue.

Can too many massages be bad?

Massage therapy is a great way to recuperate from injuries faster and can be vital for helping athletes reach peak physical fitness when playing sports. However, too much manipulation of sensitive areas and injured muscles is actually detrimental to the body's natural recovery process.

What areas should you not massage?

These are areas of the body where deep, sustained pressure should be avoided because of the structures that lie beneath. Those areas are the anterior and posterior triangles of the neck, suprasternal notch, sternum, axilla, spinal column, umbilical area, inguinal triangle, popliteal fossa, and the antecubital fossa.

Can you get blood drawn after a massage?

If you are planning to start using medication, perform tests before or after treatment, and no sooner than 10-14 days post-treatment. If you are taking any medication, tell your doctor or laboratory specialist. Blood testing is not recommended after massage therapy, reflexotherapy or physiotherapy.

Can I overdo massage?

Overdoing deep tissue massages can lead to muscle damage, increased soreness, inflammation, and bruising. Moderation and professional guidance are crucial to avoid these risks.

How do you know if you got a bad massage?

Experiencing sharp pain or excessive discomfort during or after the session is a clear indication that the massage wasn't beneficial. While some discomfort can be normal, especially with deep tissue massage, it should never cross the line into sharp pain.

Is it good if a massage hurts?

It's important to know that it isn't unusual to feel a degree of discomfort during the massage itself. The whole point of this treatment is to break up muscle tension, adhesions and scar tissue that often lie in deeper musculature, so your therapist will likely be applying a good deal of pressure.

What happens if you get a massage for too long?

An overly long massage might lead to increased sensitivity or soreness, especially if you're new to massage or have sensitive skin, so it's essential to communicate with your therapist and build up gradually to longer sessions.

Which massage is best for full body?

1. Swedish Massage. A quintessential relaxation technique, Swedish massage involves gentle to firm pressure, long strokes, kneading, and circular movements to relieve muscle tension. It promotes blood circulation, aids in lymphatic drainage, and induces a profound sense of relaxation.

How many hours of sleep is an hour massage equivalent to?

What I learned in massage school was that an hour of massage has similar benefits to the body as about 3 hours of restorative rest. That's kind of like a nice long nap.

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