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.
After a massage, lactic acid and metabolic waste products can be released into the bloodstream, causing flu-like symptoms and fatigue.
Muscle aches and fatigue is common after a deep tissue massage. The movement of muscle fibres causes stimulation that can often result in pain. If your pain lasts more than a few days, then consult your physician. Headaches and migraines after a Deep Tissue Massage are not uncommon.
Deep tissue massage can leave the body feeling sore for a few days after the massage. It is important to drink plenty of water and rest to help the body recover. Soft tissue massage does not typically cause soreness, and recovery time is minimal.
Experiencing soreness or tight muscles is normal after a massage, especially if it's been a while since your last massage or you've never had one. Bodner points out that this discomfort usually lasts a few hours to about a day and a half.
Flu-like symptoms are fairly common after a deep tissue massage, and is known as Post Massage Soreness & Malaise (PMSM). PMSM presents differently in everyone with different degrees of severity, and the appearance of different flu-like symptoms.
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.
Massage does not release, remove or flush toxins from the body and, as such, cannot make clients sick. Clients do, however, commonly experience flu-like symptoms after massage as a result of the body trying to repair the muscles, but this is not related to toxins in any way.
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.
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 ...
Deep tissue massage can make some people feel mentally or physically fatigued. It is thought that this is due to the massage releasing tension, stress, and generally relaxing the person. Some experts actually recommend that people lean into this fatigue as a way of alleviating other side effects.
If things aren't able to leave our body as quickly as they are accumulating, we may experience something known as a "Detox Flu" after our MLD session. This is due to the temporary strain that detoxification puts on our body, and can include a low-grade fever, chills, and body aches. It's rare, but it can happen.
By releasing a variety of toxins — from metabolic wastes like lactic acid and urea to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline — massage provides a plethora of health benefits that extend well beyond simple relaxation.
Massage induces biochemical and energetic shifts by alleviating physical tension. This release can stir emotions and lead to tears, signaling a healthy, natural process of stress relief and emotional balance.
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.
How Long Should You Rest After a Sports Massage? To experience the maximum benefits of a sports massage, you should rest for 24-48 hours after a massage to allow time for muscle recovery. You shouldn't workout within this timeframe, but you can partake in light exercises, such as walking, swimming, and gentle yoga.
After a massage, your body is in a state of relaxation and recovery, and the massage oils applied to your skin continue to nourish it. Taking a hot bath immediately could strip away these benefits. Generally, it's recommended to wait at least two to three hours after a massage before taking a bath.
A deep tissue massage can help to reduce muscle tension, increase blood flow and oxygenation to the muscles, reduce pain and stiffness, promote relaxation, and improve overall well-being. It may also cause some soreness or discomfort, but it typically disappears within a day or two.
Physical insults such as prolonged exertion and immobilization are established causes for rhabdomyolysis. However, only one previously published report has implicated massage therapy, in which an elderly man developed rhabdomyolysis after a 120-minute massage by two therapists.
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.
Poor Communication and Boundary Setting. A professional massage therapist should communicate clearly about the massage process and respect your boundaries. Be wary of therapists who are vague or pushy about undressing. As Mikki noted, “If they're trying to brush past anything or be very quick, that's a red flag.
Let's start with the most common side effect: bruising and soreness. When you're on the receiving end of a deep tissue massage, your therapist is applying intense pressure to reach those deeper muscle layers. This pressure can sometimes cause small tears in the blood vessels beneath your skin, leading to bruising.