Do you have to pee more after a massage?

Author: Vada Kemmer  |  Last update: Saturday, July 19, 2025

First off, massages are dehydrating. Kneading and working muscle gets fluid pumping out of the soft tissue and into your circulatory system, where it heads toward your kidneys. That's why many people have to pee right after a massage.

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.

Can a massage make you go to the bathroom?

You may find yourself needing to go to the toilet more often than usual following a massage, which is good because it means your body is getting rid of these waste toxins.

How does massage affect the urinary system?

The body's sphincter muscles keep the urine from leaking until the body is signaled to eliminate it. Massage therapy activates the urinary system. Fluids in the muscles are pushed into the lymphatic system, which is then filtered and excreted via the urinary system.

Do you retain water after a massage?

Yes, absolutely. Any time your muscles are sore (mine often are after a good massage), it means your muscles are swollen. And swelling = water weight. Just keep drinking water, it'll flush out in a day or two.

Why do I get sore after a massage?

Why do I pee a lot after a massage?

First off, massages are dehydrating. Kneading and working muscle gets fluid pumping out of the soft tissue and into your circulatory system, where it heads toward your kidneys. That's why many people have to pee right after a massage.

Where does lymphatic fluid go after massage?

When something disrupts this process, lymph collects in your arms, legs, ankles or other parts of your body, making them swell. A massage therapist uses lymphatic drainage techniques to move lymph from your tissues to your lymph nodes, which eases the swelling.

Does lymphatic drainage make you pee more?

You may see some changes.

behind some these common changes that occur in the body after MLD. First up, urine. As the kidneys eliminate excess water and waste products from the body, you will experience frequent urination.

Why do I pee so much after reflexology?

“By stimulating the lymphatic system with massage, you are speeding up the process, and that causes an increase of fluid delivery to the kidneys,” says Dr. Ackerman. This stimulation causes the lymphatic system to work more effectively, resulting in the release of toxins and other impurities from the body via urine.

Can massage help with urine retention?

Conclusion: In order to facilitate voiding and to prevent urinary retention, which is seen as a post-cesarean complication, massaging the sacral region could be recommended instead of urinary catheter insertion. Additional studies with larger groups are also recommended.

Why is my pee dark after a massage?

Your urine may become darker and smelly due to the stimulation of the kidneys. Your urination frequency may also increase throughout the day because your body is ridding itself of all the excess toxins. Lastly, you may feel sore and fatigued following your session.

What happens if you don't shower after a massage?

Myth 3: You cannot shower after a massage

It will not reverse the benefits of massage nor cause too much blood circulation. Showering after massage is a personal preference, not a health risk. The exception is if you've had a skin treatment massaged into your skin.

Why do I smell after a massage?

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.

Do muscle knots hold toxins?

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.

How many days after a massage do you feel better?

There is a possibility you may feel sore for 24-48 hrs after the massage but that will ease and eventually disappear in the next 24-48 hours.

What does lymphatic drainage feel like?

Many have reported that they feel a feeling of tingling or flow of fluid under the skin, much like a small stream. Others report the feeling of being able to breathe deeply for the first time in a while because of the lymphatic flow in the sinuses. Other people feel rejuvenated, and others feel a deep relaxation.

Is it normal to pee a lot after a massage?

First off, massages are dehydrating. Kneading and working muscle gets fluid pumping out of the soft tissue and into your circulatory system, where it heads toward your kidneys. That's why many people have to pee right after a massage. You have to replenish all that lost water – by drinking more.

What color is urine with lymphatic drainage?

Lymphatic drainage into the urinary tract, or chyluria, is another source of white urine discoloration.

Does elevating your feet make you pee?

When you elevate your legs, it helps to redistribute fluids back into the bloodstream, reducing the need to pass urine. Elastic compression stockings help by putting pressure on your legs to prevent fluid build-up. Enjoy afternoon naps.

How do I know if my lymphatic system is draining?

With severe swelling, the lymph fluid can drain through small breaks in the skin or cause blistering. Skin changes. In some people with very severe lymphedema, the skin of the affected limb can thicken and harden so it resembles the skin of an elephant.

Does lymphatic fluid come out in urine?

What is chyluria? Chyluria is a rare condition in which lymphatic fluid leaks into the kidneys and turns the urine milky white. It is most commonly associated with the parasitic infection Wuchereria Bancrofti, but can also have non-infectious causes. Chyluria is a lymphatic flow disorder.

Do you lose weight after lymphatic drainage?

Lymphatic drainage massage may improve the appearance of cellulite but will not get rid of it completely. The most likely cause of weight loss immediately following the massage is the loss of excess fluid and potential bowel movement that occurs afterwards.

How do toxins leave the body after lymphatic massage?

The whole purpose of a manual lymphatic drainage massage is to help balance fluid and remove waste/toxins from the body, and how does that happen, through your urine. The increased need to urinate is actually a really really good thing. We are getting rid of the water, crud, crap and debris in our system. Yipee!

How long does it take to see results from lymphatic drainage massage?

Usually, some results will be noticeable immediately after your facial lymphatic drainage massage however the fluid will begin to properly drain around 24 to 48 hours post massage. For each individual client, the rate of lymphatic drainage can differ and therefore each individual will notice different results.

What not to do after a lymphatic massage?

Don't: Take hot baths or use saunas for the first 24 hours after the massage, as the heat can cause the blood vessels to dilate and impede the flow of lymph fluid. Don't: Massage the areas that were treated during the massage, as this can disrupt the flow of lymph fluid and undo the benefits of the massage.

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