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Should massage hurt?
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Massage. Good for stress reduction and relief of chronic aches and pains. People often ask whether they massage should leave them feeling battered and bruised the next day. In brief: no!
There are many different styles of massage. The most common type practiced in NYC is Swedish massage. It is what you probably think of when you think massage: lying on a table covered by a sheet or towel, having lotion or oil rubbed on your skin, and having your muscles kneaded. There are different techniques that can be used in Swedish massage to address specific areas of muscle tension. Some of them have fancy names like neuromuscular therapy, muscle energy techniques, connective tissue release, and deep tissue.They all aim to do the same thing: release tension in soft tissues of the body.
Most people assume that deep tissue massage should be painful. Not necessarily. The word "deep" refers to muscles that are not close to the surface of the body. It is not just more pressure, but mobilization and stretching combined with pressure. No worries, but it is a common misconception.
If it hurts when you stretch a muscle or a muscle is particularly tight, it may hurt during or after a massage regardless of the technique the MT used. Likely if the area is habitually tense or tight, it will need several sessions to relax the tissue. This is not because the MT wants to make money, it is actually due to the anatomy & physiology of muscle tissue.
An MT could be very aggressive and try to force the area to relax, but that is not usually a good idea. That will cause pain. Not necessary, but some people like pain. Even if you don't the effects of the massage likely will not last very long if tissue is forced into shape. Pressure that is too hard--or in the wrong area--can cause bruising. Not pretty during the scantily-clad summer months. Also not necessary.
What to do? Work with your MT. Take the time to talk with your MT before your massage. It is important. The MT is not wasting your time. He/She needs to know about your expectations, needs, and health history. The MT will choose techniques that are in line with your preferences. The MT should also tell you basically what he/she plans to do and ask for your permission (it's called "informed consent" and is required by NY law.)
If pain relief is what you are after in massage; more pain is not usually required. Think about it.
