Why is my back so ticklish when I get a massage?

Author: Dr. Jasper Schinner DDS  |  Last update: Saturday, November 1, 2025

The muscles must be tight in that area and your body will send a ticklish sensation over pain. Our brains are a funny thing. Most likely there's no injury and it's just tight from something like poor posture.

Is it normal to feel ticklish during a massage?

Its just nerves kind of over reacting while the muscles are getting used to being touched. Often means they're too tense/tight to begin with. Sometimes a the area being worked on may start off as ticklish, painful just sensitive in general and as the massage goes on will feel better or go away.

Why does my back tingle when I get a massage?

When you get a massage and those soft tissues are manipulated, it can activate nerves in the muscle or even trigger nerve activity in other areas. Another factor for that tingling feeling is increased blood flow. Improved circulation is another wonderful benefit of massage therapy.

Why does my back tickle when I get a massage?

Its just nerves kind of over reacting while the muscles are getting used to being touched. Often means they're too tense/tight to begin with. Sometimes a the area being worked on may start off as ticklish, painful just sensitive in general and as the massage goes on will feel better or go away.

Why is my back so sensitive to massage?

If your back hurts during a massage, it could indicate muscle tension, knots, or underlying issues. Communicate with the massage therapist about the discomfort, so they can adjust their approach. Pain might be a sign of areas needing attention.

How To Stop Yourself Being Ticklish - with Dr Emily Grossman

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.

Why does my spine tickle?

Common Causes for Tingling in the Back

Certain conditions, like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, shingles and abnormally shaped blood vessels in the spinal cord or brain (arteriovenous malformations) could be causing it. A tingling sensation in your back could also indicate an underlying spinal condition.

Why is my back so sensitive to touch and ticklish?

Causes can include infections, spinal problems, injuries, fibromyalgia, and vascular malformations. A person should see a doctor if they experience severe tingling in the back, the tingling lasts more than a few days, or they also have other concerning symptoms.

Why does my back itch during a massage?

What is Vasodilation causing Itch during Massage? Vasodilation is the process in which an increase in blood flow is enabled to travel through blood vessels as they widen and come closer to the skin surface, improving circulation and recovery.

Is it normal to moan during a back massage?

Well apparently, that's a no-no and you're not supposed to moan even if you have a male massage therapist. I found out after one of the therapists asked me to moan a little quieter. When I came home and told my wife she told me you are never to moan out loud in pleasure at a massage therapy place.

What emotions are released during a massage?

Some people may experience a sudden rush of grief, anger, sadness, fear or hysteria; and even if you've had regular massages before, you might experience the emotional release a sporadic phenomenon. You are not alone.

Why does my back feel tighter after massage?

Experiencing soreness or tight muscles is normal after a massage, especially if it's been a while since your last massage or you've never had one. Bodner points out that this discomfort usually lasts a few hours to about a day and a half.

How often should you get a massage?

1. What are the general massage frequency guidelines? It is generally recommended to get a massage once a month to maintain the benefits of relaxation and stress relief. However, some individuals may benefit from more frequent sessions, especially if they have specific health concerns or physical discomfort.

Why do I feel like crying during a massage?

Massage induces biochemical and energetic shifts by alleviating physical tension. This release can stir emotions and lead to tears, signaling a healthy, natural process of stress relief and emotional balance.

Why do I flinch during a massage?

Stimulation of Nerves - When pressure is applied to the muscles, this can sometimes irritate the nerves, leading to spasms or twitching. Increased Blood Flow - Increased blood flow causes the muscles to contract as they receive more oxygen and nutrients. This can cause temporary spasms.

Why are back massages ticklish?

Tension in tight muscles and restrictions in the fascia (web of connective tissues throughout your body) can cause ticklishness, pain, tenderness or numbness when being touched or receiving a massage.

Is HydroMassage good for you?

The Benefits of HydroMassage™ for Gym-Goers

Since the 1980s, collaborative research and review efforts have produced an astounding amount of scientific evidence to conclude that hydrotherapy is beneficial in the following ways: Stimulates blood circulation. Promotes relaxation. Reduces inflammation.

Is it normal to get goosebumps during a massage?

We also get goosebumps when we feel those strong emotions. Sexual feelings can do this, or being deeply moved by art or music, and we call it getting chills. We've probably seen this or felt it ourselves during massage, I knew a teacher once who called it pleasure bumps, and it can happen when we are fearful, or angry.

How to be less ticklish during massage?

If the hands move slowly or stay still for periods, with a firmer touch, the area being touched has time to acclimate and relax, without the feeling of anticipation about where the hands will go next. This can subdue the ticklish response. Encourage you to relax using breathing techniques.

What are the early signs of allodynia?

Individuals with allodynia may have heightened sensitivity and pain responses to various sensory modalities, including light touch, pressure, pinprick, and temperature.

What is the most sensitive part of the body to tickle?

It might be tempting to speculate that areas of the skin that are the most sensitive to touch would also be the most ticklish, but this does not seem to be the case. While the palm of the hand is far more sensitive to touch, most people find that the soles of their feet are the most ticklish.

Why does ASMR tickle my lower back?

The current data, therefore, allow one to conclude that the tingling down the spine that is often reported during ASMR is actually tingling down the spinal cord.

Why does my middle back feel tingly?

Herniated discs or bone spurs are the main reasons for this nerve compression. Poor posture: The position you sit and stand in can also cause tingling. For instance, sitting in a drooping posture or prolonged time can exert excess pressure on the spinal nerves in the mid back, which may cause tingling sensations.

How to not be ticklish on your back?

How to Stop Feeling Ticklish
  1. Rest your hand on the hand of your tickler. ...
  2. Relax the muscles that are being tickled. ...
  3. Distract yourself by focusing on a different topic. ...
  4. Pinch or rub a different part of your body. ...
  5. Stay warm. ...
  6. Practice being reactionless whenever you're tickled. ...
  7. Get plenty of exercise.

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