How do you know if you got a bad massage?

Author: Mr. Raphael Simonis II  |  Last update: Friday, October 3, 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 are the signs that your massage therapist is doing something wrong?

Signs that your massage therapist may be doing something wrong include: 1. Ignoring your requests or boundaries. 2. Applying excessive pressure without your consent. 3. Making inappropriate comments or gestures. 4. Failing to maintain proper hygiene or sanitation practices. 5.

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.

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.

Can you have a bad reaction to massage?

One of the most common side effects of massage therapy is muscle soreness. This occurs because massage techniques involve manipulating the muscles, which can cause temporary microtrauma to muscle fibres, similar to the effects of a workout.

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.

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 a massage place is shady?

Here are some of the signs of human trafficking in massage parlors:
  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.

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 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 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.

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.

How long does it take to recover from a bad massage?

At a minimum, you should rest for at least 24 hours after your massage to ensure your muscles have plenty of time to repair themselves. Post-massage soreness is completely normal after a sports massage, and your muscles may still feel tight after 48 hours, which is a sign they are still recovering.

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.

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.

Why do I feel like I'm getting sick after a massage?

A deep tissue massage usually leaves the muscles feeling sore, as if clients have done intense exercise, and when there is muscle soreness, the immune system naturally activates T-Cells to try to repair those muscles. As such, this immune system response can make some clients feel as if they are ill.

Can a massage trigger inflammation?

Reasons why you feel sore after a massage

“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 body parts should not be massaged?

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.

What areas are off limits during a massage?

These include direct manipulation of the spine, the front of the neck, and any visibly injured or inflamed areas.

What is not normal during massage?

Don't get sexually excited, it's inappropriate.

Keep it professional. If you feel like you are getting excited think about something that will take that feeling away. If this is happening and you are not aware, the therapist may stop the massage and walk away for few minutes to give you a chance to calm down.

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