“Is there such a thing as "too much pressure" in massage therapy?”
I am about to have massage therapy next week. Is there such a thing as applying too much pressure, or should I take as much as I can stand?
14 Answers
Yes. It could cause more damage than good. The question is "why do you feel you need a lot of pressure?" You may need to seek a Manual or Clinical Therapist to adjust what's going on in your muscular system
There is if you say it is. It should never hurt or make you wince. If it does, tell your therapist. Remember the gain must be greater than the pain (of them working on you).
Yes. Communicate to your therapist when a stroke or pressure point is uncomfortable Massage does NOT follow the no pain/no gain philosophy. When we release knots (calcium build-up amongst fascia), it’s painful if it causes you to writhe, lift your shoulders, or stiffen your body, it is counter-productive. Let your therapist know when something feels good, and when it does not.
Thank you for reaching out with your question, and it's wonderful to hear that you're considering massage therapy as part of your wellness journey. As a licensed professional massage therapist with over 20 years of experience, specializing in sports and fitness, I understand the importance of tailoring each session to meet individual health and wellness goals.
To address your question: Yes, there is such a thing as "too much pressure" in massage therapy. It's crucial that the pressure applied during a session does not cause you distress or pain beyond what you can comfortably handle. While some techniques, especially those related to sports massage, may involve moments of discomfort due to deep tissue manipulation or stretching, these should always be within your tolerance levels.
In my practice, I emphasize the importance of open communication and co-creating health goals with my clients. This means that any technique that may cause discomfort is thoroughly discussed beforehand, and I always proceed with your guidance and consent. The aim is to ensure that every session is therapeutic, promoting healing and well-being without causing unnecessary pain.
Remember, your body's response to massage is a personal experience, and you should never feel obliged to endure more pressure than what feels right for you. It's essential to communicate with your therapist about your comfort levels throughout the session to ensure the best possible outcome.
I encourage you to speak openly with your therapist about your expectations and any concerns you might have. A good therapist will always respect your boundaries and adjust their techniques to suit your needs.
To address your question: Yes, there is such a thing as "too much pressure" in massage therapy. It's crucial that the pressure applied during a session does not cause you distress or pain beyond what you can comfortably handle. While some techniques, especially those related to sports massage, may involve moments of discomfort due to deep tissue manipulation or stretching, these should always be within your tolerance levels.
In my practice, I emphasize the importance of open communication and co-creating health goals with my clients. This means that any technique that may cause discomfort is thoroughly discussed beforehand, and I always proceed with your guidance and consent. The aim is to ensure that every session is therapeutic, promoting healing and well-being without causing unnecessary pain.
Remember, your body's response to massage is a personal experience, and you should never feel obliged to endure more pressure than what feels right for you. It's essential to communicate with your therapist about your comfort levels throughout the session to ensure the best possible outcome.
I encourage you to speak openly with your therapist about your expectations and any concerns you might have. A good therapist will always respect your boundaries and adjust their techniques to suit your needs.
Individually we all have different pain tolerances. In fact some people have a no pain, no gain mentality. For those individuals I try to explain to them that it's not necessarily about the pressure as much as it is about the precision.
Keep in mind, certain medications such as pain killers can always alter your sensation on the amount of pressure being applied by the therapist so for your safety it's not recommended taking such medications prior to any massage therapy treatment.
In my experience women are typically able to handle more pressure from the mid to lower back and this is likely from the simple fact that women experience birth and men don't. With that in mind there are certain areas that therapist need to be mindful of such as boney prominences, organs, and different body types.
Each therapist is also individually different. Wether it be our touch, techniques, flow, knowledge or even their physical ability to provide a firm to deep massage will vary. As there's no pressure chart or way to gage the pressure during a massage it's essentially a personal preference.
Furthermore, massages do not need to hurt. Sometimes I'll have a guest come in for a massage and mention how their last massage hurt and they told the therapist. The therapist however told them that they needed the pressure and that's why I'm a big advocate of speaking your mind. You probably pay good money for your service and want it to be a great experience. I always try to remind those clients with a no pain, no gain mentality. That I want to make sure that their experience is therapeutic and relaxing.
Most guest come in with a pain of some sort. Creating more trauma to an already aggravated muscle by apply but that is another topic for discussion in the massage therapy community. There are therapist that perhaps would argue that a form of massage therapy called structural integral therapy is beneficial. The idea is that by breaking down the tissue with an overwhelming amount of pressure to speed recovery.
To conclude, I hope this information gives you more insight and may even make your next massage more beneficial. While it's an individual preference, I'm going to say that there is in fact such a thing as "too much pressure!"
Keep in mind, certain medications such as pain killers can always alter your sensation on the amount of pressure being applied by the therapist so for your safety it's not recommended taking such medications prior to any massage therapy treatment.
In my experience women are typically able to handle more pressure from the mid to lower back and this is likely from the simple fact that women experience birth and men don't. With that in mind there are certain areas that therapist need to be mindful of such as boney prominences, organs, and different body types.
Each therapist is also individually different. Wether it be our touch, techniques, flow, knowledge or even their physical ability to provide a firm to deep massage will vary. As there's no pressure chart or way to gage the pressure during a massage it's essentially a personal preference.
Furthermore, massages do not need to hurt. Sometimes I'll have a guest come in for a massage and mention how their last massage hurt and they told the therapist. The therapist however told them that they needed the pressure and that's why I'm a big advocate of speaking your mind. You probably pay good money for your service and want it to be a great experience. I always try to remind those clients with a no pain, no gain mentality. That I want to make sure that their experience is therapeutic and relaxing.
Most guest come in with a pain of some sort. Creating more trauma to an already aggravated muscle by apply but that is another topic for discussion in the massage therapy community. There are therapist that perhaps would argue that a form of massage therapy called structural integral therapy is beneficial. The idea is that by breaking down the tissue with an overwhelming amount of pressure to speed recovery.
To conclude, I hope this information gives you more insight and may even make your next massage more beneficial. While it's an individual preference, I'm going to say that there is in fact such a thing as "too much pressure!"
Hello, Thank you for your email. There is no evidence to support a no pain, no gain approach. And too much pressure can damage your tissues. The clients who experience relief from painful massages could be influenced by that massage therapists narrative or the techniques supposed benefits aka placebo effect. Theres nothing wrong with a hurt so good type of pressure but if youre flinching a lot or in pain then let the therapist know. If the next day youre so sore that youre stiff, have bruises, or even feel sick then it was too much. I have clients who feel better after receiving light, medium, or firm pressure massages. And so it should be about what feels good to you. Respectfully, Toni Ramirez
Just take as much as you can stand. Make sure the therapist agree on your will. There is really no danger in applying too much except that you may be hurting afterwards and you do not need that extra pain.
Yes. You need to let your therapist know when the pressure feels like it could be too much. Your therapist should be checking in with you as well on pressure. Too much pressure can basically cancel out the therapeutic result of a massage.
Pressure is measure by each person, by each session one day you want/need less pressure then other times. For some people they only like deep pressure & others can’t take it. Hope this helped
Yes!!!! Too much pressure is so not good for you! You should be able to breathe and ‘hold a conversation.’ Although you might not want to talk, the ability to do so would indicate there is proper oxygen and blood flow to the muscles. Your therapist SHOULD be able to feel you tensing and change the application of pressure to avoid injuring you. You are your best advocate, so please speak up for yourself!
With deep tissue massage you are targeting the deepest layer of muscle. A skilled therapist will only go deep after the superficial layers have had a chance to be warmed up and smoothed out. If your therapist goes for the deeper layers of muscles without working the top layers adequately, brusing and pain can occur.
Yes, there is such a thing as applying too much pressure. Properly trained and licensed massage therapists are taught about endangerment sites particularly those along the neck. You also have to take into consideration when applying pressure, the age of the patient and existing co-morbidities because some massage can result in a stroke.
Oh my goodness the answer is yes!
Just because a massage is deep in pressure doesn't mean it's more effective. I always go for technique over pressure which is why finding an educated therapist is important. Going to deep can actually cause tissue damage and even spasms. You should never be uncomfortably jumping off the table because you think deep is best. Some of my clients simply like the deep pressure which is fine but it's always on the that "hurts so good" spectrum.
I hope this helps!
Just because a massage is deep in pressure doesn't mean it's more effective. I always go for technique over pressure which is why finding an educated therapist is important. Going to deep can actually cause tissue damage and even spasms. You should never be uncomfortably jumping off the table because you think deep is best. Some of my clients simply like the deep pressure which is fine but it's always on the that "hurts so good" spectrum.
I hope this helps!
If it is unbearable, it is too much. No one knows your body as well as you do, so if you feel it hurts, tell the therapist to lighten the pressure. Deep tissue ca be good but it shouldn’t actually hurt very bad. Some people can take deeper pressure than others and that’s perfectly fine. Always communicate with your massage therapist, and they should be asking if the pressure is ok.
