How long do post massage symptoms last?

Author: Clarabelle Hirthe III  |  Last update: Sunday, July 13, 2025

The soreness usually peaks after 24 hours, like it would after any other workout. Most of the DOMS will be gone after 48 hours, but it could even last longer than that. For more information on aches and pains you may feel during and after your sports massage, read our blog post.

How long does post massage sickness last?

Post-massage malaise typically lasts from a few hours up to two days, but staying hydrated and resting can help shorten the duration.

How long does inflammation last after massage?

Post-massage soreness is a type of muscle pain or discomfort that typically occurs after a massage and can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. It is a normal and natural body response to the physical manipulation of the muscles during a massage session.

Is it normal to be sore 3 days after a massage?

Typically, the soreness should gradually decrease within 24 to 48 hours as the muscles recover. This is considered a normal part of the healing process and should not be a cause for concern unless the pain is severe or persists beyond a few days.

Why do I feel unwell after a massage?

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.

Why do I get sore after a massage?

What are the symptoms of massage release toxins?

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 is post massage malaise?

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.

How many days should you rest after a 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.

Can massage therapists feel knots?

In conclusion, yes, massage therapists can indeed feel knots in your muscles. Through their extensive training and experience, they have honed their ability to detect areas of tension and release them effectively.

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 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 ...

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.”

How do you recover from a deep tissue massage?

5 Self-Care Tips for Post-Deep Tissue Massage Recovery
  1. #1: Drink Plenty of Water. ...
  2. #2: Get Plenty of Rest. ...
  3. #3: Stretch Regularly. ...
  4. #4: Avoid Unnecessary Stress. ...
  5. #5: Eat Healthy Meals.

How long does inflammation last after deep tissue massage?

Most clients report feeling mild soreness akin to DOMS after deep tissue massage. This usually lasts a few days after which time clients report benefits such as pain relief, improved range of motion, better sleep, and lower blood pressure.

Can a foot massage release toxins?

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.

Why am I congested after a massage?

Why do you get congested after a massage? Massage therapists often apply pressure to the face during a massage session, which can cause congestion in the maxillary and frontal sinuses. This is because the pressure applied to the soft tissues of the face can block or restrict airflow through these sinuses.

What does it feel like when a knot releases?

This myofascial release has a comparable sensation to being rocked by your mother when you were a baby. It causes a pleasant wave sensation to travel throughout the body. It is, in fact, a relaxing experience. That wave infiltrates the restricted areas to allow for softening.

Where should a massage therapist not touch?

Never touch the client's genitals or anus. Clients can only provide explicit consent to have their genital area and gluteal cleft exposed for the purpose of Massage Therapy during childbirth.

How to know if a massage was good?

A good massage should leave you feeling better than before. If there's no relief in the areas you sought help for, or if you feel the same or worse, it's a sign that the massage didn't meet the standard of what makes a good massage.

What are the symptoms of detoxing after a massage?

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.

How do you know if you got a bad massage?

**Excessive Pain or Discomfort**: A certain level of discomfort might be normal, especially during a deep tissue massage, but if you experience sharp, intense pain or prolonged discomfort, it could be a sign that the therapist is applying too much pressure or working incorrectly.

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.

How long does massage fatigue last?

You may feel more energetic, have greater focus and productivity at work and home. 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.

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

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.

What are the symptoms of Rhabdo after massage?

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.

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