Have you been wondering why you feel a little sore after getting a massage? Or are you a little nervous to book your first massage because you are scared of feeling soreness that you’ve heard others talk about? Whatever the case may be, Muscle Anthropology wants to answer your massage related questions and put your mind (and body) at ease. First and foremost, soreness after massage is normal. Why does it happen, though, and how can we relieve it? Luckily for you, the reasoning may be easy to pinpoint and there are a few different ways we can go about fixing the issue!
Why Your Muscles Feel Sore After a Massage
During a massage, your massage therapist is likely stimulating muscles that you may not use in your normal day-to-day activities. This, along with how much pressure is used during the massage and how much tension was in the area to begin with, can cause a temporary increase in inflammation. You also may have to consider muscle manipulation, where spasms or micro-scars in muscle fibers are broken apart.
This can sound a little nerve wracking, sure. However, just think of it as a part of your body’s healing process. The same things happen after a good workout! A quick tip for before your massage: drink plenty of water! Dehydration can also contribute to muscle soreness.
Different Types of Massage May Cause More Soreness
Besides the reasons listed above, you may feel more or less sore after your massage because of the type of massage that you received. For example, if you receive a classic Swedish massage and ask your massage therapist to use light pressure, you likely won’t have too much to worry about regarding soreness. Deep tissue massages, on the other hand, use more pressure by default and are likely to cause more soreness. When in doubt, talk to your massage therapist and don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself!
How to Relieve Muscle Soreness
If you’re here because you are already experiencing some muscle soreness, don’t worry, we’ve got some solutions for you. As mentioned above, it helps to stay hydrated. Before and after you are going to be working your muscles (or having them worked on, in a massage). Water, electrolytes, juice, and anything that isn’t super sugary or caffeinated should suffice.
Next, don’t be afraid to stretch! Don’t overdo it, but a few minutes of gentle stretching tells your muscles that it’s okay to relax. You could even incorporate some heat or cold therapy, alternating between the two to combat inflammation, relax a little further, and hopefully, feel better a little sooner. After that? REST!
When You Should Be Concerned
If at any time during your massage you feel extreme discomfort, please say something. Massage techniques are supposed to be therapeutic! Additionally, if you are still as sore two to three days after your massage as you were within the first 24 hours (or if it’s getting worse), you should contact a healthcare provider.
Always discuss any past and current injuries with your massage therapist as well as any medical conditions you have that you think they should know about.
Feel Seen and Feel Safe at Muscle Anthropology
At Muscle Anthropology, our massage therapist Jeremy does everything he can to make you feel seen, heard, and safe. When you book a massage with us, we want to make sure that we are by your side before, during, and after your appointment. Always speak up with questions or concerns! Give us a call at (706) 267-0634 or visit here to book a massage online.