Is it normal to bleed after a massage?

Author: Maude Bechtelar  |  Last update: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

The pressure applied during the massage can break capillaries and cause tiny amounts of capillary damage to bleed, leading to the appearance of bruised skin. This is more likely to occur in individuals with thinner skin, who may be more prone to bruising.

What parts of the body 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.

How do you know if you got 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 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 deep tissue massage cause internal bleeding?

Individuals with bleeding disorders, such as hemophilia, or those on anticoagulant medications (blood thinners) are at a higher risk of bruising or internal bleeding from massage. Deep tissue work or strong pressure can cause complications in these cases.

Why do I get sore after a massage?

Can massaging too hard cause damage?

In rare cases, deep tissue massage can lead to nerve damage. This usually happens when too much pressure is applied near a nerve or when a nerve is compressed for an extended period. If you experience numbness, tingling, or sharp pain during your massage, speak up right away.

What are the three big signs of internal bleeding?

The signs and symptoms that suggest concealed internal bleeding depend on where the bleeding is inside the body, but may include:
  • pain at the injured site.
  • swollen, tight abdomen.
  • nausea and vomiting.
  • pale, clammy, sweaty skin.
  • breathlessness.
  • extreme thirst.
  • unconsciousness.

How long does it take your body to recover from a deep tissue massage?

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.

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.

What does lymphatic drainage feel like?

It's gentle and rhythmic, you might even feel like you're underwater or floating during the session. We tend to underestimate lymphatic work because it is so relaxing and subtle, but it's very powerful.

What are red flags in massage therapy?

One of the first red flags in a massage session is a lack of communication. If the therapist doesn't take the time to ask about your pain points or preferences before starting, that's a sign of trouble.

What is the disadvantage of deep tissue massage?

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.

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.

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 the most relaxing body part to massage?

Choosing Your Massage Focus Target Spots
  • ➪ Head. In our view, a head massage is a great choice for some extra focus, as it can be highly relaxing yet revitalising at the same time. ...
  • ➪ Neck & Shoulders. One of Top 3 selected body parts. ...
  • ➪ Back. ...
  • ➪ Buttocks. ...
  • ➪ Thighs. ...
  • ➪ Calves. ...
  • ➪ Feet. ...
  • ➪ Arms & Hands.

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 is the crunchy feeling when massaging?

Lack of blood supply to the muscle causes lactic acid to build up, over time this can solidify with calcium deposits and is often the reason we hear a crunching sound when trying to realise the knots.

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.

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.

Do you lose weight after deep tissue massage?

Experts agree that massage will not directly result in weight loss, but it can aid and support weight loss. Massage can help to reduce DOMS and improve range of motion associated with exercise, as well as promoting better sleep and reduced stress and anxiety - both of which are known to impact weight.

How many massages does it take to get rid of knots?

A weekly or bi-weekly session could prevent these knots from escalating. Conversely, severe knots, causing considerable pain and restricted movement, may require more frequent attention, possibly two to three sessions per week initially. Knowing the severity is key in how often you should get a massage for knots.

What does it mean when a massage hurts?

Often, the pain associated with this type of massage comes from the release of chronic muscle tension. Sometimes, the pain comes from poor technique from the massage therapist, however. If the therapist works too deep, it can damage the tissue, which can cause the pain.

What are the warning signs of gastrointestinal bleeding?

What are the symptoms of a GI bleed?
  • Abdominal cramping.
  • Dark-colored poop or regular-colored poop with blood in it.
  • Pale appearance.
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea).
  • Tiredness.
  • Vomit with blood in it or a substance that looks like coffee grounds.
  • Weakness and fatigue.

What are the signs of shock?

Signs and symptoms
  • pale skin, which may be cold and clammy.
  • sweating.
  • a fast pulse as shock gets worse.
  • fast, shallow breathing.
  • a weak pulse.
  • grey-blue skin, especially inside the lips (with dark skin, look at the palms of the hands and the base of the feet)
  • nausea and possible vomiting.

Can you be bleeding internally and not know it?

Yes, you can be bleeding internally and not know it. The blood loss from an internal injury can remain contained within the body, for example, in the chest cavity, abdominal cavity, or skull. The symptoms depend on the severity of the injury. As a result, internal bleeding can occur for hours without you knowing it.

Previous article
What are the pros and cons of steaming?
Next article
What is an overnighter for lashes?