What happens if you massage too hard?

Author: Glenda Dicki  |  Last update: Friday, October 10, 2025

Excessive pressure can probably cause “rhabdo”: poisoning by proteins liberated from injured muscle, a “muscle crush” injury. For example: an 88-year old man collapsed the day after an unusually strong 2-hour session of massage therapy.

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.

How do you know if a massage is too hard?

3 Signs the Massage Pressure is Too Deep
  • 1. You're holding your breath. You should be able to breathe comfortably throughout the entire massage.
  • 2. You're clenching your jaw or your fists.
  • 3. Your body is wanting to move away from the point of contact.

What happens if a massage is too deep?

  • Muscle Strain: Excessive pressure can lead to muscle strain or soreness, particularly if the therapist pushes too hard on tight muscles.
  • Bruising: Deep pressure can cause bruising, especially in sensitive areas or if the person receiving the massage has fragile skin or certain medical conditions.

How do you recover from a hard massage?

In addition to getting plenty of rest, it is also important to make time for relaxation. This can include activities such as reading, taking a bath, or spending time in nature. Taking some time for yourself will help your body to recover from the massage and reduce stress levels.

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.

What happens to your body after an intense massage?

An increase in circulation in your muscles will mean better mobility and range of motion a decrease in pain, stress and tension and also promote a good night's sleep.

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 happens if you massage wrong?

Occasionally it causes new physical injuries, usually just minor bruises and nerve lesions, but sometimes far worse: there's a small but serious risk of spinal injury or stroke with any neck manipulation, and blood clots can be dangerously dislodged causing pulmonary embolism (a “stroke” in the lung).

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.

Why do my knots feel worse after massage?

If you're experiencing muscle soreness after a massage it is because the soft tissues have been manipulated to break down adhesions, knots and holding patterns to restore muscle condition to a functional state.

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 a massage be too firm?

If you're feeling excruciating pain when you use massage tools, there are a couple of things that could be at play: you might be pressing too hard and causing tissue damage, you have an existing injury or muscle damage, or you're rolling a tissue that you shouldn't be (the most likely culprit).

How hard is too hard for massage?

However, massage therapy should never feel acutely painful. If you feel a sharp pain during massage, the therapist is applying too much pressure. Similarly, although you may feel some soreness after a massage, it should result in a deeply relaxed feeling rather than lingering pain.

Why do I feel unwell after a massage?

After a massage, lactic acid and metabolic waste products can be released into the bloodstream, causing flu-like symptoms and fatigue.

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.

Where shouldn t you massage?

The types of structures that are vulnerable in an area of caution may include arteries, veins, nerves, bursae, lymph nodes or vessels, or small and fragile bones. Examples of areas of caution for massage include the popliteal space behind the knee, the anterior cervical region, and the axillary region.

Is it OK if a massage hurts?

This is very typical when having a deep tissue massage because it is a type of massage that requires intense pressure to massage the tissue. A common example of this is where your masseuse uses too much elbow or shoulder pressure. Another big reason why massages hurt is that the person receiving them isn't relaxed.

What is the first rule of massage?

1. Slow down when you need to. Speed up when you don't need to slow down.

Can massage be too strong?

The short answer is yes. Depending on how tight your muscles are and how much pain you can handle, the amount of pressure a massage needs varies not only by person but also by session. It's important to know how much pressure is required because it can make all the difference between a good and a bad massage!

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.

When the massage should not be done?

There are some conditions that are contraindicated locally.
  1. Cuts or open wounds.
  2. Bruises.
  3. Varicose veins.
  4. Broken bones.
  5. Burns.
  6. Some skin conditions.

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 happens if you massage 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 chemical is released after a massage?

Endorphins. While technically not a toxin, the release of endorphins during a massage is a significant benefit. These "feel-good" hormones naturally boost mood and relieve pain.

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