Is it normal to swell after a deep tissue massage?

[Bridgette]

I got a massage today on some very very tight muscles in my neck and back. The area feels so much looser and I haven't gotten the headache or shooting pains that I had, but the area is very swollen and when I touch it, it feels so sore! Should I ice it? Is this normal?

 

[KittenDoc]

It is normal to be very sore , your muscles have to react to not being tight, Ice and rest with plenty of water to flush , stretching the area is best done in the shower. you may bruise depending on how deep the therapist went and depending on how long you have been tight. When it starts to get tight again make another appointment do not go back to square one . This is muscle re-education . It will be sore for a couple of days.I tell my clients to reschedual in about a week . Then you may have a couple more times before it has completly gone away, but most importain rest it ok .

 

[debijs]

~~When you get a deep tissue massage it releases lactic acid which makes you sore and can cause swelling. Drink tons of water or liquids to wash it out faster. Ice packs for 15 minutes at a time will help the swelling and pain. Most important though is to flush your system out!~~

 

[+ssıʞ kiss+]

yikes, loosen up girl

and ice gets rid of swollen muscles keep it on there

 

[JAMES P]

Yes it is normal and yes ice it for now. Later tomorrow or the next day, start using some moist heat. Just soak a towel with hot water, ring it out, then apply it where ever it is swollen. A 600 Mg Motrin would be good also for the swelling if you are not allergic to aspirin. It will keep the massaged area lose, and the swelling should go down. You might also want to rub those areas with Aspercreme Cream, again if you are not allergic to aspirin. The next massage will be better and not hurt as much. A lot of pressure has to be applied to a tight muscle with knots in them, so it will hurt. I've never seen anyone swell as bad as you say you did, but some swelling does occur. You need to follow up with a few more massages to keep those muscles lose. You also need to keep those muscles stetched which can be accomplished by laying on the floor, place your hands at the back of your head and sit up slightly, not a full sit up, just up about 5 or 6 inches from the floor. You can also grab something higher than you are like a set of monkey bars at a playground, and just hang from them. This will stretch your entire back and spine. Best to you young lady.

 

[Amaranth]

Yes, it can be normal. You probably had some knots in your muscle. It takes a lot of work to loosen them. Apply ice, you can also take Advil for the pain.