Is this normal after a massage?

[Ras214]

I treated myself to a back, neck and head massage yesterday after a period of stress.

It was at a spa so more of a relaxing vibe and seemed very gentle at the time (I'm more used to sports massages that really hurt).

Yet it seems to have triggered a very painful headache (as well as back pain overnight, like I was all seized up, but this has lessened now). The headache is still going strong over 24 hours later. Paracetamol helps a bit but it is like no other headache I have experienced. The front half of my head is very sore, it feels very deep inside my head.

Is this normal-ish, what is going on?

It is human nature to see connections (it is build into us) but the headache and massage timing could just be coincidence. You say you are stressed already so you might have gotten a migraine/ headache without the massage. Even if you haven’t had one before.

I hope you managed to get some sleep.

Well, I have just woken up and 111 never called back. I have just received a text though saying the case has been reviewed and is eligible for referral so 'the service' will be in contact with me, whatever that means.

The headache is better this morning which is good but I still feel a bit woozy, hopefully that lifts a bit once I am fully up.

Not sure how I'll see a doctor today as I am taking DS for his first day at school but he's only there for 2 hours and I also have to work. Fingers crossed I fully improve and can just forget about it all.

A massage does not have to be deep to be effective.

I am sports massage trained so love a deep massage where you can feel the muscles release.

However gentle massage, done well, can take a chronically stressed person into the parasympathetic state, thus releasing tension that has been present for many years.

Water. Rest. Be gentle with yourself and please don’t be put off from going again.

Sadly spa therapists get little time to check in with clients afterwards. If you find a good local therapist they will want to know how a treatment has effected you and will recommend aftercare.

??