Massage Relief: Simple Steps to Help Soothe Your Muscles

Feeling sore after a massage? Don’t worry! This is absolutely no cause for concern as it is common and usually temporary. But why does this happen?

Let’s find out why your muscles ache and become sore after a massage and talk about the tips and tricks on how to ease the discomfort. 

PRESS offers different massage services, and post-massage soreness should go away within a day or two. Book an appointment with us to experience our relaxing and rejuvenating Signature Massage.

What Is Post-Massage Soreness?

An occasional side effect of massage therapy is post-massage soreness, which is usually temporary and only lasts for about 1 to 2 days. This tends to happen more often to people who aren't used to getting massages, or are trying massage for the first time.

A few hours (generally 6 to 8 hours) after your massage, you may begin to experience muscle soreness and tightness. If the soreness lasts longer than 48 hours, it could be a sign of overwork or an underlying medical condition. Speak to a doctor or massage therapist immediately to reduce the soreness and speed up recovery.

Why Do Muscles Become Sore After Massage?

Have you ever had a massage and felt a little sore afterward? You’re not alone! Post-massage soreness is usually, nothing to worry about. This occurs because the muscles and tissues in your body undergo manipulation and pressure during the massage session, which can lead to temporary discomfort as your body adjusts to the therapeutic effects of the massage while also healing itself.

If you haven’t had a massage in a while or have never had one before, you will most likely experience some soreness afterward. Again, this is normal and should go away within a day or two.

While post-massage soreness can be uncomfortable, it’s often a sign that your massage therapist did a good job and worked out some of the knots and tension in your muscles. If you’re still feeling sore after a couple of days, it’s best to contact your massage therapist for advice.

Tips To Ease Soreness After A Massage 

If you've recently had a massage or plan to book a session, expect you will feel sore afterward. So here are some tips to help you soothe your muscles after getting a massage:

Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated is critical to relieving soreness after a massage. Drink at least eight glasses of water daily to keep your body functioning optimally because when your muscles are worked, they become dehydrated and need to be replenished with fluids. 

Additionally, you can opt to add electrolyte drinks to help replenish lost electrolytes and replace minerals and salts lost during a massage. Drinking plenty of water before and after a massage helps flush out toxins and keep your body hydrated. 

Do Gentle Stretching

Doing light stretching after a massage can help reduce soreness and tension in your muscles. It can also help increase circulation and reduce inflammation and the best part is, stretching can be done in the comfort of your own home!

Some simple stretches you can do at home include arm circles, neck rolls, and shoulder shrugs. You can also do more specific stretches to target specific areas of your body. For example, you can do a standing backbend if you have soreness in your lower back.

If you are uncomfortable doing stretches at home by yourself, you can ask your massage therapist to show you some stretches you can do in their office. This can be a great way to get some extra relief after your massage. 

Use Heat Therapy (Hot Shower Or Heating Pad)

Heat therapy is one of the most effective ways to soothe sore muscles after a massage. Doing so relieves pain and discomfort as the heat helps reduce inflammation and relax tight muscles.

Hot showers and heating pads are two of the most common forms of heat therapy, and both can provide relief from soreness in a short amount of time. But make sure to use heat therapy at a comfortable temperature and keep it on for an appropriate amount of time to get the most out of it.

PRESS Body Ritual Oil 

PRESS Body Ritual Oil is the perfect choice if you’re looking for an all-natural solution to soothe your muscle soreness. It is formulated with nourishing jojoba, and has notes of wildcrafted lavender, warming buddha wood, and rosemary.

The PRESS Body Ritual Oil is designed to penetrate deep into the skin and provide relief from pain and discomfort. It can be applied directly to the skin or added to a hot bath for an extra soothing effect.

It is non-greasy and quickly absorbed into the skin, providing quick relief. It has a pleasant scent and is perfect for massaging into sore muscles. The oil is also great for face and body use as it helps soothe and nourish the skin.

Get Plenty Of Rest

Out of all the tips we mentioned, getting adequate rest has the strongest effect in your post-massage recovery. 

During a massage, your body is subjected to a lot of physical and mental stress, and it needs time to recover from that. Taking a break, getting extra sleep or a nap give your body time to recuperate. It relaxes your muscles, replenishes your energy, and gives you mental clarity.

Types Of Massage

PRESS is known for its soothing and peaceful massage services. 

Whether you’re looking for an invigorating full-body massage or a more targeted treatment, there’s something to suit everyone. Here’s a look at some of the most popular types of massage:

Full Body

Whether you’re looking for a way to unwind after a long day or want to treat yourself to a luxurious spa experience, a full-body massage can be just the ticket.

In a full body massage, the therapist may use different techniques that may include Swedish relaxation techniques (long gliding strokes to promote relaxation and circulation), deep tissue trigger point therapy (applying targeted pressure on specific areas of tension), stretching and joint mobilization therapy. 

When it comes to the benefits of a full-body massage, the list is long. Not only can a massage help reduce stress, but it can also help reduce pain, improve circulation, and even boost your mood.

PRESS Full Body Massage covers all areas of the body, including your head, neck, shoulders, arms and hands, back, hips, legs, and feet. Our dedicated team at PRESS starts by carefully evaluating your body to identify the areas that require the utmost care and focus. 

To enhance your experience, we incorporate a harmonious blend of calming essential oils and provide cozy lavender eye pillows, ensuring a truly blissful and rejuvenating session.

Back, Neck & Shoulders

Now, the Back, Neck & Shoulders massage is a more targeted one. It focuses on the parts of your body most prone to pain, stress, and tension. 

This type of massage uses different techniques such as effleurage (long gliding strokes), petrissage (kneading, repeated circular movements, cross fiber friction), and tapotement (rapid and repeated striking of the body) to work the muscles in each of these areas, providing relief from tension and pain. 

PRESS Back, Neck & Shoulder Massage is perfect for anyone suffering from extreme headaches, too much screen time, and certain sports or office injuries. Here at PRESS, you’ll surely have a blissful and deep healing experience in every massage service we offer.

Pregnancy 

During pregnancy, your body undergoes many changes, which can cause discomfort and pain. Luckily, pregnancy massage therapy can help relax and reduce tension in your body, while also helping reduce swelling, fatigue and pain, allowing you to enjoy your pregnancy journey even more.

 During the massage, your therapist will use special techniques to reduce tension and stress. These techniques include light pressure, long strokes and kneading of the muscles. After your massage, you may experience some soreness and discomfort, but this should pass quickly. 

Just a reminder that pregnancy massage should not be used to replace medical advice or treatment. Always talk to your doctor before undergoing any type of massage therapy. 

Our PRESS Pregnancy Massage therapists are extensively trained and certified in providing specialized care for expecting mothers. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, and we guarantee a secure and nurturing experience throughout your session. Book your appointment today!

Corporate (Chair Massage)

Are you looking to add a corporate massage service to your business? Chair massage is becoming increasingly popular in offices, events and other corporate settings. It's a great way to reward employees, boost morale, and show appreciation for their hard work.

Chair massage is a type of massage that is done while the recipient is seated in a specially designed chair. This massage technique is designed to target the neck, shoulders, arms, and back, reducing stress and tension, improving circulation, and helping increase productivity. 

When it comes to corporate massage, it's important to choose the right massage therapist for the job. Make sure to find a massage service provider that has vast experience in providing different types of massage, including chair massage. So look no further, PRESS Modern Massage is here for all your massage therapy needs.

Bring the most relaxing PRESS Corporate Chair Massage to your company and witness how your business improves and grows.

When Should You Go To The Doctor? 

While post-massage soreness is normal, it should not be disregarded, especially if the pain lingers for more than a day or two. Prioritize your well-being and seek medical advice if you encounter any of the following symptoms following a massage session:

• Fever
• Severe pain that does not respond to rest or home remedies
• Swelling
• Numbness or tingling
• Bruising
• Redness or warmth in the massage area
• Infection

Your doctor may order tests to determine the cause of your discomfort. Depending on the results, they may recommend further treatments such as physical therapy or medications. 

Final Thoughts

Soreness after a massage is common and should not last more than a day or two. You can take some simple steps to soothe the discomfort, like staying hydrated, doing gentle stretching, using heat therapy, applying topical treatments, and getting plenty of rest are all great ways to help your body recover.

Massage can be a great way to reduce pain, stress, and tension, but it’s important to keep in mind that it can also cause temporary pain and discomfort. If your soreness persists for more than 1 or 2 days, it may be a sign of something more serious and you should consult a doctor. 

If you’re looking for a massage therapist, make sure to look for one who is certified and experienced. At PRESS Modern Massage, we have certified massage therapists who can help you find the right type of massage. 

Whether you’re looking for Full Body Massage, Back, Neck & Shoulders Massage, Pregnancy Massage, or Corporate Chair Massage, we have the perfect massage services and therapists for your needs!

Want to know more about the different types of massage? Check out our latest blogs:

• The Power of Deep Tissue Massage: Surprising Ways It Can Heal Your Body
• The Ultimate Guide To Petrissage Massage: Recharge And Renew
• Head Massages For Headaches, Migraines And Much More!

Sources:

1. Cronkleton, E. (2021, November 12). Sore after massage: Why this happens and what to do. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/sore-after-massage 
2. Team, W., & Bodner, V. (2022, June 29). Why does my body feel worse after a massage?. Cleveland Clinic. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-does-my-body-feel-worse-after-a-massage/ 
3. Nunez, K. (2022, May 25). Massage techniques to give yourself some love. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/self-massage 

FAQs 

Is it normal to feel sore after a massage? 

Yes, it is normal to feel sore after a massage. Soreness after a massage is common and usually temporary. It may indicate that deep tissue work was done, but should not last more than a day or two.

How long should you be sore after a deep tissue massage? 

A deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of the muscle tissue so it’s just normal to have a longer recovery time than with regular massage. Typically, you should expect to feel sore for up to 48 hours after the session but this can vary from person to person.

Is it okay to take a bath after a massage? 

Yes, taking a bath after a massage can be beneficial. Warm water can help relax your muscles and reduce soreness. Make sure the water is not too hot and that you don't stay in the bath too long.

How often should you get massages? 

The frequency of massage depends on your individual needs. Generally, it is recommended to get a massage at least once a month to help maintain good physical and mental health. If you are having regular massages to treat an injury or condition, you should follow your doctor’s advice.

Is it normal to be sore after 3 days after a massage? 

Post-massage soreness usually lasts for about 1 to 2 days only. If the soreness persists or becomes more intense, it is best to consult with your doctor.

Is it normal to be more sore after deep tissue massage? 

Yes, it is normal to feel more sore after a deep tissue massage. Deep tissue massage like the one PRESS offers targets the deeper layers of muscle tissue, which can cause more soreness than a regular massage.