How do you know if a massage was bad?

Author: Gerardo Treutel  |  Last update: Wednesday, August 20, 2025

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.

How do you know if you had a bad massage?

  • 1. Excessive Pain: While some discomfort can be normal, especially in deep tissue massages, excessive pain is a red flag.
  • 2. Bruising: Minor bruising can occur, but significant or frequent bruising indicates that the therapist is using too much pressure or improper techniques.
  • 3. Nerve Pain:

What are red flags in massage therapy?

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.

What are the symptoms of massage release toxins?

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.

What can go wrong during a massage?

Disc herniation, soft tissue trauma, neurologic compromise, spinal cord injury, dissection of the vertebral arteries, and others were the main complications of massage. Spinal manipulation in massage has repeatedly been associated with serious AEs especially. Clearly, massage therapies are not totally devoid of risks.

4 Signs You May Be At A Wrong Massage Place - Massage Monday 314

What to do if you get a bad massage?

If you've experienced a bad massage, it's important to take steps to address the issue. Communicate Your Concerns: Speak up during or immediately after the massage if something feels off. Providing constructive feedback can help the therapist adjust their technique and improve future sessions.

How do you know if a massage place is sketchy?

The Indicators
  1. Any sexual or erotic services are provided, or they advertise on illicit websites.
  2. The providers are wearing very little clothing.
  3. They refuse to service females.
  4. You have to buzz in to get into the business.
  5. The providers are not allowed to handle their own cash.
  6. The providers speak very little to no English.

What is a healing crisis after massage?

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 ...

How do you know if your body is full of toxins?

If you have been fighting a battle with acne, irritations, rashes, or even conditions such as eczema or psoriasis, it could be your body's way of telling you it's getting a bit bogged down by toxins.

Why did I feel sick after a massage?

During a massage, increased blood flow and pressure on the muscles can dislodge toxins that have built up over time. These toxins are then flushed into the bloodstream for elimination. This process can cause flu-like symptoms such as pain, muscle soreness, headache, nausea, and fatigue.

What are yellow flags in massage?

Yellow Flags: The Psychological Side of Pain

They don't point to a serious physical problem but indicate that psychological and social factors might be making pain worse or prolonging recovery. Basically, they highlight the risk of someone developing chronic pain or disability.

What are 5 red flag symptoms?

Examples of red flag symptoms in the older adult include but are not limited to: fever, sudden unexplained weight loss, acute onset of severe pain, neural compression, loss of bowel or bladder function, jaw claudication, new headaches, bone pain in a patient with a history of malignancy or that awakens the patient from ...

What not to say during a massage?

Here are some examples of what you, as the client, should never do! :
  • Don't joke if this is a “happy ending" massage or make any sexual comments. ...
  • Don't get sexually excited, it's inappropriate. ...
  • Don't break wind. ...
  • Avoid talking too much. ...
  • Don't use your phone. ...
  • Don't be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

What are 3 instances when massage is not recommended?

Certain skin conditions, such as open wounds, burns, rashes, or contagious skin infections (like impetigo or fungal infections), should not be treated with massage. Even non-contagious skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema may be aggravated by massage if not handled carefully.

Why do I feel bad after a deep tissue massage?

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.

When should you stop massage?

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)

What are the symptoms of heavy metals in the body?

Acute exposures are dangerous and can quickly cause serious health effects or death. Some signs of acute poisoning can be confusion, numbness, nausea and vomiting, and coma. If you are concerned about acute heavy metal poisoning, call the Oregon Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 and contact your health care provider.

What color is urine when detoxing?

Yes, your urine may be pale yellow or even darker if you are detoxing. In addition, they can even have a strong smell indicating an overload of molecules that need to be treated during detox.

How do you recover from a bad massage?

What Strategies You Can Do to Recover After a Massage?
  1. Make sure you drink a lot of water.
  2. Relax in a hot shower or bath.
  3. Ensure that you stretch.
  4. Take supplements or vitamins that contain omega-rich foods.
  5. Get plenty of sleep.

What is the inflammatory response to massage?

We feel sore after massages for the same reason we feel sore after a good workout, Bodner explains. “It forces blood into your muscles and helps bring in nutrients. This process can temporarily increase inflammation in areas that the body feels need attention.”

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.

What happens if you get a bad massage?

Massage-related adverse effects can occur when excessive pressure is applied in the wrong spots, potentially injuring tissues, muscles and nerves, Mr Xu said. For instance, neurapraxia is a mild form of nerve damage that can occur when the conduction of nerve impulses is reduced or blocked in the affected area.

What is normal massage etiquette?

Be as receptive and open to the massage process as possible. Don't eat just before a massage session. Let your body digest your meal first. Be on time. If you arrive in a frenzied, rushed state, it may take longer to relax.

How do you tell if your massage therapist is into you?

Changes In Behavior

The therapist might seem more flirtatious, and even seductive. You might find the session dwells on personal conversations, instead of focusing on treatment. Changes in body language might not be immediately obvious, but they can indicate a shift in the relationship.

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