Many people turn to massage as a method of dealing with normal aches and pains as well as chronic pain. Deep tissue massage and Swedish massage, are known therapies that target the lower level of muscle to realign the muscle and relieve built up tension and pain. Massage is often used to target lower back pain, muscle tightness, stiff neck, and upper back pain.

On most occasions, patients can enjoy relaxation and relief from massage, but because of the techniques used in deep massage, some people may experience some form of discomfort and pain during and after therapy. A 2013 study found that 18 of the 100 patients surveyed reported “moderately severe” reactions to normal massage.

If you’re under the impression that deep tissue massage must hurt to receive the benefits from massage, you’re wrong!

Should massage hurt?

Most people are under the presumption that a deep tissue massage has to be painful to work. This isn’t the case. Because deep tissue massage is used for stiffness, knots, chronic pain, and muscle tightness. A massage therapist will apply pressure and use deep strokes to get everything feeling normal again. Your body can be sensitive to this pressure and, at times, it may feel painful. However, the pain shouldn’t go beyond feeling a little uncomfortable.

Bruising should never occur as a result of your massage treatment, but it sometimes does. It is the result of too much pressure by the massage therapist. If in the days following your massage, bruising occurs, let your massage therapist know.

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Be aware of your body during the massage. You know your body best and so don’t be afraid to voice your concerns. If you feel pain, speak up and ask your massage therapist to ease off.

Why do I have lower back pain after massage?

Sometimes, inflammation causing lower back pain can occur after a deep tissue massage. This is not a normal, expected result of massage therapy. The reasons for this vary depending on the area of treatment and the reason you used massage treatment. Commonly, it is the result of aggravated injury from a poorly performed massage where too much pressure is applied. It’s a good idea to speak with a doctor about your injury before getting a massage.

In some cases, there is a possibility that a deep tissue massage has caused a new injury. Most reported cases of this are in areas of the back and neck. It is likely a muscle injury, but also may indicate nerve damage.

Prolonged lower back pain is not a normal effect of massage. It is a sign that your massage therapist went too deeply and too quickly into your muscles and surrounding tissue.

How can I avoid pain from massage?

When getting a massage, always make sure your therapist is a highly trained professional. Only make an appointment with a licensed massage therapist. Before you begin, talk about what you hope to gain from massage therapy, the amount of pressure you want to feel, your previous experience with massage, and any pre-existing conditions.

If you have an injury, be sure and let your massage therapist know before you begin. Always give them the exact location and condition of your injury. The more they know about your body, the better equipped they are to give you the best results. You may want to do a little research and find a massage therapist who specializes in the area or type of your injury to give your treatment.

During your treatment, keep communication open with your therapist during your treatment. Tell them if you are in too much pain or uncomfortable and ease off. 

When should I contact a doctor?

Though some soreness is a common side effect of deep tissue massage, it should not last more than a day or two. It should also not keep you from moving about regularly. If you experience pain beyond this, you should contact a doctor.

In some cases, an injury may occur during treatment. If you feel sharp pain associated with injury during massage, end the session immediately and contact a doctor for further action.

We can help.

Lower back pain is best treated by educated professionals. At Arizona Pain and Spine Institute, our highly trained specialists provide safe and effective pain management and treatment solutions for lower back pain, including that caused by poorly executed massage therapy.

Our specialists provide same and effective pain management for lower back pain and other pain conditions to improve your quality of life.

If you’re experiencing lower back pain after massage, don’t delay and call us today at 480-525-6590.