Does Deep Tissue Massage Hurt? What You Should Know

In this post, we’ll be covering what to expect during a deep tissue massage, whether it hurts, how to prevent or manage discomfort, and whether it’s worth it for you.

What Is Deep Tissue Massage?

The most important thing you need to know about deep tissue massage is that it’s a specialized massage technique that utilizes high-pressure strokes to relieve chronic pain in deep layers of the muscles.

The massage reaches into the connective tissues (fascia), tendons, and deep muscle tissue to deliver targeted relief and promote healing.

Deep tissue massage breaks up the scar tissue that forms in the aftermath of injury or accidents and reduces muscle tension.

It alleviates chronic pain, helps with posture correction, and offers lasting relaxation. It’s the ultimate massage therapy for pain relief.

Unlike Swedish massage, deep tissue massage uses long, slow, and forceful strokes to reach deep into the specific areas of pain and tension.

Now, to the pressing question at hand…

Does Deep Tissue Massage Hurt?

The short answer: only if you want it to!

Here’s the thing. Deep tissue massage uses high-pressure strokes to reach areas that are in pain, typically due to a sports injury or accident.

Naturally, you experience an intense feeling followed by a sense of relief and deep relaxation, as the therapist works through the tight parts.

On a physiological level, what’s happening is that your brain registers pain in your body and releases chemicals like adrenaline, serotonin, and dopamine to make you feel really good.

It’s a natural response designed to help you run away from an injury until you’re back safe with your tribe. It’s a prehistoric pain management trick that has worked for millions of years. Deep tissue massage uses this trick to give you pain relief and relaxation, while promoting healing.

This feeling is generally described as “good pain.” But, how do you differentiate between good pain and bad pain?

There’s an easy way to do this. Good pain is when you’re comfortably breathing through the pain. Bad pain is when you experience a sharp, stabbing, or unbearable pain that tenses you up to the point that you hold your breath.

Professionally trained and experienced massage therapists customize their pressure techniques to suit each individual’s pain tolerance levels.

So, you can adjust the pressure and pain levels to suit your personal preference.

Now, you should be able to answer the question: “How painful is a deep tissue massage?” But, there’s more to it.

The pain you experience during the massage session isn’t the only kind. You may experience some degree of soreness or stiffness in the days following your deep tissue massage.

This is akin to post-workout soreness and the body’s natural response as it repairs and readjusts the muscles. So, there’s nothing to worry about.

So does deep tissue massage hurt? Let’s summarize what you’ve learned in this section:

What to Expect During Your First Session

The therapist typically starts by asking you about the body areas that need deep tissue massage. They may also discuss your injuries to get a sense of the damage. Then, they begin the deep tissue massage with light strokes to warm up your muscles. Soon, they’ll increase the pressure of the strokes, while focusing the pressure on specific areas of injury. The gradual increase in pressure gets your body accustomed to increasing levels of discomfort.

Throughout the session, communication is key to the success of the massage. So, the massage therapist will repeatedly get your feedback on your comfort level. If the pain makes you hold your breath, convey it to the therapist, and they’ll manage the pressure accordingly. Now you know what to expect during a deep tissue massage.

Massage Recovery Tips to Reduce Soreness After a Massage

You might notice some soreness or stiffness in the days following your deep tissue massage. The pain would be similar to what you’d experience after an intense workout session. While there’s nothing alarming about this, there are easy ways to manage and even minimize soreness. Here are some helpful massage recovery tips:

• STAY WELL-HYDRATED: Drink lots of fluids in the days leading up to, on the day of the session, and in the days following the deep tissue massage session.
• GENTLE STRETCHING: A relaxed, gentle stretching session, esp. before the massage, can do wonders.
• RELAX: During the massage session, it’s critical that you do not tense up. Relax the muscles and let the therapist work on them. And, breathe deeply throughout the session. Try to time your exhales with the therapist’s deep-pressure strokes.
• HEAT/ICE: If some soreness persists after the session, a heating pad or an ice pack can deal with any lingering soreness from the session. Even a warm bath is a delicious welcome idea.