Is it possible to overdo massage?

Author: Vincenzo Fahey  |  Last update: Thursday, November 13, 2025

Yes, you can overdo deep tissue massage. Excessive frequency can cause muscle damage, bruising, and increased soreness, underscoring the importance of guided moderation.

What are the side effects of too much massage?

Most Common Side Effects of Deep Tissue Massage
  • Lingering Pain. Due to the pressurised techniques used in a deep tissue massage, some people have suffered from some version of pain during and/or after their therapy session. ...
  • Headaches/Migraines. ...
  • Fatigue or Sleepiness. ...
  • Inflammation. ...
  • Nausea. ...
  • Aggravating an Older Injury.

Can a muscle be over massaged?

When too much pressure is applied, your muscles take an additional beating that can lead to more bruises, nerve damage, and trauma. This pain can last days after your massage, and neither you nor your massage therapist would certainly want that.

Can you have a massage too often?

No, there's no limitations on massages. You can have as many as you feel you need or would like as often as you would like. Some people get them every day or several times a week. I have known people including myself to get more than one in a day. It would be a bad thing if it was causing pain, discomfort or injury.

Is it normal to feel sore the next day after a massage?

Some clients begin to feel achy straight away, while most people tend to experience soreness the following day. The muscle ache can last hours or days depending on the treatment, your body reaction and how well the ache is managed.

Why do I get sore after a massage?

How do you know if you got a bad massage?

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 long does inflammation last after deep tissue massage?

A deep tissue massage can help to reduce muscle tension, increase blood flow and oxygenation to the muscles, reduce pain and stiffness, promote relaxation, and improve overall well-being. It may also cause some soreness or discomfort, but it typically disappears within a day or two.

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.

Can you overdo massage?

Overdoing deep tissue massages can lead to muscle damage, increased soreness, inflammation, and bruising. Moderation and professional guidance are crucial to avoid these risks.

What is the most pleasurable type of massage?

The Most Relaxing Types of Massages
  • Swedish Massage. The most common type of massage therapy, Swedish massage will help to relax you with a combination of specific movements including: ...
  • Hot Stone Massage. Another very relaxing type of massage is the hot stone massage. ...
  • Chair Massage. ...
  • Aromatherapy Massage.

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.

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.

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.

Can I get massages two days in a row?

If you're looking for a little wellness and relaxation, you can safely enjoy a relaxation massage at most, every day. However, make sure to space it out so that your body does not get overwhelmed.

Can a massage be too intense?

Every person has a different pain threshold, which makes it difficult to set a hard limit for how much pressure is too much. However, massage therapy should never feel acutely painful. If you feel a sharp pain during massage, the therapist is applying too much pressure.

What are the negatives of massage?

Side effects associated with massage therapy are rare. However, they can include nausea, headaches, soreness in the muscles being massaged, bruising or bleeding in some cases, fatigue, dizziness, mental/emotional discomfort (anxiety), fainting, and skin irritation.

What happens if you massage a muscle too much?

However, as a massage therapist, you should be able to assess your client's condition, and their response to deep tissue massage, to be able to determine a suitable schedule. Too much deep tissue massage, or an unsuitable technique, can cause problems such as soft tissue tears, fractures, and severe bruising.

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.

Is it OK to get a massage every day?

The simple answer is: as often as you want! However, a more realistic answer depends on many factors, including your lifestyle, activity level, pain and physical needs, stress and emotional needs, and of course, your budget. Like many things in life, consistency is key when it comes to massage therapy.

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.

How long should you wait between deep tissue massages?

Generally, it is beneficial to schedule a massage every 1-2 weeks to aid in muscle recovery, reduce the risk of injury, and enhance overall performance.

Why does my knot still hurt after massaging it?

If your muscles were particularly tense or knotted before the massage, the manipulation could lead to soreness as those knots are worked out. Individual sensitivity. Everyone's body reacts differently to massage. Some people might be more sensitive and experience soreness even with a gentle massage.

Why can't you shower after a deep tissue massage?

After a massage, your body is in a state of relaxation and recovery, and the massage oils applied to your skin continue to nourish it. Taking a hot bath immediately could strip away these benefits. Generally, it's recommended to wait at least two to three hours after a massage before taking a bath.

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.

How many days should I rest after a 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.

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