Sports massage and deep tissue massage often leaves the muscles feeling sore, a feeling akin to DOMS, and when muscles are sore, the immune system naturally activates T-Cells to try to repair the muscles. It is this response that is thought to make clients feel sick after massage.
Flu-like symptoms are fairly common after a deep tissue massage, with symptoms including headache, soreness, fatigue, and nausea. However, this is not caused by the release of toxins, as has been widely believed by both clients and industry professionals for many years.
When a muscle is tight like that, it can limit blood flow in that area. The theory is when you put pressure on it you're limiting blood flow to the knot, and when you release the pressure, more blood flows in,” he explains. The increased blood flow can help the muscle relax.
Release of toxins: Deep tissue massage is known for its ability to release toxins trapped in the muscles through manipulation and pressure techniques. When these toxins are released into the bloodstream, it can sometimes overwhelm the body's detoxification systems, leading to feelings of sickness or flu-like symptoms.
Feeling unwell after a deep massage is common due to the body's response to toxin release, immune system activation, and muscle recovery. Symptoms like fatigue, mild fever, or nausea usually pass within 24-48 hours. Staying hydrated, resting, and eating light meals can help speed up recovery.
Muscle knots don't contain toxins. But some people claim that deep tissue massage can lead to lymphatic drainage and the release of toxins. While the lymphatic system does work to remove waste products from your body, there's limited research on lymphatic drainage treatment in general.
Other typical side effects include muscle soreness, headaches, flu-like symptoms, and dizziness. These symptoms result from the manipulation of muscle tissues, the release of toxins, and the overall relaxation response.
Sometimes we feel a bit cruddy and sore after a massage, like it was a big workout. Post-massage soreness and malaise (PMSM) is embraced as a minor side effect and hand-waved away by almost everyone as some kind of no-pain-no-gain thing — as if it actually just like post-exercise soreness. But it can be much harsher.
The first sensation you'll get is a springing give that feels like a release. This is the tissue's elastic component giving way, which means you stop there, you won't see a long-term difference right away because it takes time to get deeper into the more plastic part of the tissue.
Some folks are just more sensitive to the detox process and it may make you feel crummy. Now when I say this, the crumminess last less than 24 hours. You could experience flue-like symptoms like nausea, headaches, achiness, swollen lymph nodes and fever.
This is the healing crisis which essentially means you may feel worse before you feel better. Your restrictions are releasing which shifts alignment and can cause achiness in unfamiliar areas. It's recommended that you gently stretch these areas and drink lots of water.
It can help loosen up the muscles and reduce the tension in the knot. Trigger Point Massage – During this type of massage a therapist will begin to apply pressure and stretch the muscle knot to release (a.k.a pop) it. You may experience minor discomfort, but long-term relief during this technique.
Some muscles become rock hard when the supply of blood is less available. Breaking up the physical knot and bringing oxygen in will gradually restore normal function. Massage will not always vanquish an unwavering knot in one session though. Often, knots need frequent sessions to be completely terminated.
As great as it sounds to have the relaxing effect of deep tissue massage, after the first treatment your body could be dealing with a huge amount of released metabolic waste - and this can trigger a response from your immune system. This toxic overload is what can make you feel poorly.
Following Myofascial release, you may experience some of the following symptoms: Sore Muscles: Aches and pains are common for around 24 hours after your treatment as the body flushes out the toxins that release. Some people feel a similar sensation in their muscles as the one felt after a heavy workout at the gym.
Sweating and not drinking enough fluids while practicing yoga is a surefire way to trigger nausea and other unpleasant symptoms, especially when practicing hot yoga. When this happens, it can lead to nausea or, in more severe cases, vomiting or diarrhea.
That being said, massage can make clients sick with Post Massage Soreness & Malaise. This is fairly common after sports massages and deep tissue massages, and typically causes flu-like symptoms. As such, it is likely PMSM that makes clients sick, not the release of toxins.
If you suffer from a plantar fascia rupture, you may hear or feel a “pop” in your arch. You will also likely experience sharp pain with bruising and swelling in your arch and heel. A torn plantar fascia is very painful and requires proper treatment.
What does it feel like? The sensation is similar to foam rolling...if your roller had weird prongs. Fascia blasting can be slightly painful if your fascia isn't in great shape, so be sure to start out light-handed. You can gradually apply more pressure as your fascia health improves.
The main rhabdomyolysis (rhabdo) symptoms are muscle pain, dark urine, and feeling weak or tired. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any symptoms. Rhabdo symptoms can mimic other conditions like heat cramps and dehydration.
As the body detoxifies, it is not uncommon to experience flu-like symptoms including dizziness and light-headedness, an odd or metallic taste in the mouth, headache, joint and muscle pain, body aches, sore throat, general malaise, nausea, increased sweating, urination or defecation, chills, skin eruptions, itches or ...
Reflexology can remove some toxic substances from the body very quickly. If they are not released fast enough, or if the treatment is overdone, one can experience some mild toxic effect that usually disappears quickly.
Few people have negative reactions to lymphatic massage. But some people develop side effects like fatigue, headaches or nausea. If this happens, let your healthcare provider know. They can tell you how to reduce your risk for these complications.
In conclusion, it is not uncommon to notice a smell on your skin after receiving a massage. Factors such as the type of oil used, sweating during the session, and poor hygiene practices can all contribute to any odors present.
Our basal body temperature is the lowest temperature attained during rest, and is usually lowest during sleep. However, when you are incredibly relaxed during a massage, you can start to feel cold due to the 0.2-0.5 degree Celsius drop that is happening in your body.