Deep tissue massage supposed to hurt?

[deer]

Massage therapist says it hurts b/c there is a "problem" there. Says it will go away w/ regular massage. True?

 

[A soldiers wife]

At certain points during the massage, most people find there is usually some discomfort and pain.

It is important to tell the massage therapist when things hurt and if any soreness or pain you ecperience is outside your comfort range.

There is usually some stiffness or pain after a deep tissue massage, but it should subside within a day or so. The massage therapist may recommend applying ice to the area after the massage.

So to answer you're ? yes it will hurt the first couple of times after that you will feel alot better.

 

[Only by the grace of God]

No deep tissue massage is not suppose to hurt with very few exceptions. If you have an injury/accident there is more going on than just muscular pain. If it is more of a sports or repetative injury then there are massages that benifit without pain to you. If you massage therapist hurts you then she/he is doing it wrong. Get a different therapist.
If mine hurts I just say something and she moves a bit and does something different to get that muscle to let go. She never stays on it and says that it will stop hurting with regular massage. That said there are places, few and far between, that I have to breath through the next few moments until she gets the muscle to release. But I would consider that discomfort and not pain.
That said, I have been to therapist that "hurt" and it hurt for a couple of days. If you have to take a pain reliever when you get home, you need to change therapist imediately.
Some therapist do the "hot rocks", which is a heat massage and you might like that.
My therapist does a trigger point, or pressure point massage before she does the deep tissue. That might be something you look in to.
Don't just stick with a massage therapist because you are use to them or they are the closest to you. I hope this helped.
ICL
Rosa

 

[Empress Jan]

DTM can hurt because you're massaging/using muscles you don't normally use to that extent. Use some aspirin or ibuprofen to help with pain (or hot bath) and yes regular massage use with help.

 

[Suzanne L]

I have chronic pain in my neck area from a Dr'.s mistake, I have a lot of tightness in my shoulders and neck, I get SOFT tissue massages and they are so nice, deep tissue massages hurt me bad and I will not do it anymore, soft tissue massage is the ticket for me.

 

[glendiva1968]

Sometimes, yes. It was true with me. I had a pinched nerve, was walking funny. well, the lack of use in my muscles were causing pain and hurt when massaged, but felt better afterward. once I started to walk semi normal, the pain decreased. a lot.

If you don't feel better after the massage or the next day, I would question if the deep tissue is right for you.
MHO

 

[maxmom]

I have had years of deep tissue massage and yes, it can hurt.

The reason it is called "deep tissue" is because they go very deep into the muscle and connective tissue. There is no way it is not going to hurt if you have a problem or are injured. it is like touching a wound.
I have had bruises from it.

Ask any athlete or dancer who has massage therapy for injuries. They will tell you, it hurts.

The pain will lessen and go away as the area heals and regular massage helps injuries heal.

 

[buzymom72]

Deep Tissue can cause some discomfort, but it should not last long. If the therapist if just taking elbows and jamming them into your back or wherever this may be a problem. When you feel pain your muscles automatically tighten and you can end up damaging the muscle if you try to loosen that up. The second that you start to feel discomfort(not pain) the therapist should not put any more pressue and hold that point until the pain has lessened then have you take a deep breath and try to go in farther to the muscle until you feel discomfort(not pain) again. If you are not working with the breaths then it can be more painful.
Also, if you are not drinking tons of water after a deep tissue massage it is likely that your msucles have reabsorbed all the toxins that were just pushed out of them which causes them to tighten back up. Drink tons and tons of water after any massage. Some people have even experienced nausea, gotten headaches and been really sore the next day from not drinking a lot of water after their massage. This goes for any massage not just deep tissue. You can also take a warm bath after a massage or before bed. Do not take a hot bath, just warm and make sure that you cool your body down before getting out. This has helped a lot of people also.
If this therpiast is hurting you, you need to let them know. They may not realize that they are going to deep. If they do not correct the problem then find another therapist.

 

[michelenergy]

It is true!

I am a Licensed Massage Therapist as well. I agree with your LMT. If there is tightness in the tissues, pressure on the area -- sometimes even light pressure -- will be painful. In fact, that can be a good sign because then you will know that your therapist is in the right spot!

The good news is that as the therapist works the area and as the tissue starts to let go of the tension, the pain will minimize.

If you were to press very, very hard into tissue that has no tightness, you will feel it but it won't be painful -- if you press very lightly into tissue that has tightness, it can feel excruciating. The best cure -- deep tissue or a stable pressure, focused intention by the therapist and a desire to let go of the tightness by the client.

You should feel relieved that you are in good hands!