The massage hurts the next day, is it broken?

Have you ever felt more uncomfortable the next day after a massage? Is the uncomfortable place more painful?
Soreness after a massage is actually quite common, but there are some signs that you can tell if your body is just getting used to the massage or is really hurting.

According to past literature statistics, Asians account for 60% of cases of discomfort after massage, Europeans account for 30%, Americans account for 7.5% and Australians account for 2.5%. (I feel that Asians just love massage XD) Interestingly, more than half are women. About 35% of the people left permanent damage due to massage .

In order to avoid being like these people, if you have the following conditions after a massage, don't ignore it.

Possible side effects after massage

1. Excessive stimulation

The originally sore part may not be simply muscle tension, but a "protective reaction" caused by repeated compensation and inflammation. When this part is repeatedly kneaded, massaged too much or massaged too hard, it will be overstimulated and more uncomfortable than it should be.

｜Soreness

Local soreness is a common post-massage reaction. Under normal circumstances, soreness is considered normal within 3 days, but if the discomfort persists for several days, close observation or medical attention is required .

｜Stiff neck feeling

This happens especially to people who are pressed on the shoulders and necks. After pressing, they will feel relaxed, but the next day, the shoulders and necks will be more sore. It is often described as a stiff neck, with a dull pain in the neck. This means that the neck muscles are over-stimulated, it is recommended to communicate with the massager and ask him to relax .

｜Headache

In some cases there is a headache after the massage, and sometimes dizziness or nausea .
This often occurs in people who have chronic tension in the shoulders and neck or who have migraines.
The muscles in the neck are particularly sensitive, and when the original tension changes, symptoms in the head can be triggered.

This is a warning signal from the body that the body is not suitable for such a massage method or force. If you have this condition, it is recommended to stop the massage or change the massage method.

2. Fatigue

Some people feel tired and sleepy after a massage. It's a good thing in some cases because it relaxes the whole body and improves sleep quality.
However, if this fatigue occurs in athletes who are about to compete, it may be necessary to pay attention .

｜The impact of athletic performance

Past studies have confirmed that post-workout massage can promote muscle flexibility and reduce post-workout muscle soreness, which are benefits of massage.
But the massage before the game has a different sound.

In a related study of track and field athletes, it was found that "pre-competition massage" was worse than general warm-up for sports performance . Sports with high explosive force need to rely on the stiffness of the tendon to store energy and provide great rebound for acceleration. However, because massage will reduce the rigidity of the tendon (that is, make the tissue soft), the athletes will not be able to exert their strength (fatigue), which will affect sports performance.
Therefore, the massage techniques and strength before the competition need to be strictly controlled.

Worse than post-massage soreness

Past studies have counted irreversible events after massage, including aortic dissection and venous thrombosis . A small number of people who experience fractures, herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, or dislocations have had a joint mobilization procedure (commonly known as a jogbone).

These problems caused by massage require relatively more time to deal with and treat, and some problems may not be completely solved. Therefore, you must evaluate your own condition before the massage. If you feel discomfort at the moment of the massage, you must have the courage to ask and communicate .

Chinese people's massage culture is very popular, whether it is a SPA-level massage treatment, acupressure oil pressure in a massage parlor, medical-level bare-hand massage and relaxation before and after exercise all belong to this category.
Today's article tells you what symptoms after massage need to be formally and paid attention to.

Pay attention to the above points to enjoy the relaxation and healing brought by massage!

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References:
Moran RN, Hauth JM, Rabena R. The effect of massage on acceleration and sprint performance in track & field athletes. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2018;30:1–5.

Fletcher IM. The effects of precompetition massage on the kinematic parameters of 20-m sprint performance. J Strength Cond Res. 2010;24(5):1179–83.

Davis HL, Alabed S, Ainsley Chico TJ. Effect of sports massage on performance and recovery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med. 20207;6(1):e000614.

Yin P, Gao N, Wu J, Litscher G, Xu S. Adverse events of massage therapy in pain-related conditions: a systematic review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014;2014:480956.

Saha FJ, Schumann S, Cramer H, Hohmann C, Choi KE, Rolke R, et el,. The Effects of Cupping Massage in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain — A Randomised Controlled Trial. Complement Med Res. 2017;24(1): 26–32.