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Original poster

Pain after massage - Worried!

18 replies

PotteringPanda · 22/10/2023 00:30

Hi everyone, I'm hoping I can get some reassurance or advice. I've been suffering with back pain and had a deep tissue massage this week. It was very painful during the massage, and even though I kept telling the therapist she continued saying it was normal. After the massage I was in a lot of pain and I am now on day 6 post massage and still have really bad pain, I can't really move or walk. Is this my muscles just reacting to the intense massage? Will it ever get better?

OP posts:
EveSix · 22/10/2023 00:57

I'm so sorry, OP, that is terrible.
Do you know what caused your original back pain? Is it something for which you have previously sought medical assistance (say from a GP) or found massage has helped with? Some kinds of back pain will be contraindicated for deep tissue massage, and your massage therapist should have taken a detailed case study to ascertain whether this might be the case, and if in doubt, proceeded with caution (if at all). And they should definitely have explained this to you.

To still be in pain 6 days later is concerning. I suspect it would be hard to know whether you may still have been in pain had you not had the massage, so it would be difficult to say with confidence that the session has exacerbated your discomfort. I find it concerning that your massage therapist persisted with treatment despite you signalling discomfort and having disclosed your condition at the start of the session. 'Normal' or not doesn't really come into it; from what you are saying, it sounds like the therapist has behaved quite unprofessionally. In my deep tissue work, clients will frequently growl or squeal, and I will always stop and check with them whether it is a 'good ouch' or whether it is too much. I would never presume to tell a client that their discomfort is 'normal' and continue doing whatever it was that caused them pain.
In your shoes, I would do two things now:
a) book a GP appointment to get yourself checked out, explaining what has happened.
b) contact the massage therapist directly, or her place of work, and request details of her professional insurance and professional body / organisation. You can contact them directly and ask what an appropriate cause of action in this case might be.
Wishing you all the best, and a speedy recovery.

Original poster
PotteringPanda · 22/10/2023 01:13

EveSix · 22/10/2023 00:57

I'm so sorry, OP, that is terrible.
Do you know what caused your original back pain? Is it something for which you have previously sought medical assistance (say from a GP) or found massage has helped with? Some kinds of back pain will be contraindicated for deep tissue massage, and your massage therapist should have taken a detailed case study to ascertain whether this might be the case, and if in doubt, proceeded with caution (if at all). And they should definitely have explained this to you.

To still be in pain 6 days later is concerning. I suspect it would be hard to know whether you may still have been in pain had you not had the massage, so it would be difficult to say with confidence that the session has exacerbated your discomfort. I find it concerning that your massage therapist persisted with treatment despite you signalling discomfort and having disclosed your condition at the start of the session. 'Normal' or not doesn't really come into it; from what you are saying, it sounds like the therapist has behaved quite unprofessionally. In my deep tissue work, clients will frequently growl or squeal, and I will always stop and check with them whether it is a 'good ouch' or whether it is too much. I would never presume to tell a client that their discomfort is 'normal' and continue doing whatever it was that caused them pain.
In your shoes, I would do two things now:
a) book a GP appointment to get yourself checked out, explaining what has happened.
b) contact the massage therapist directly, or her place of work, and request details of her professional insurance and professional body / organisation. You can contact them directly and ask what an appropriate cause of action in this case might be.
Wishing you all the best, and a speedy recovery.

Thank you so much for your reply. I've had prolonged back pain for a few years now, I don't really know the reason but have been told by physiotherapists it's because I need to strength my muscles.

The pain I'm feeling after the massage is the worst pain I have ever felt and the only thing I have done differently is the massage. I'm just terribly worried the pain won't go away and they've caused long term damage.

I will get in touch with my GP on Monday and will contact the place of work too. Thank you again for your help!

OP posts:
MachinesOfGod · 22/10/2023 07:12

It’s quite normal after a deep tissue massage, it’s like getting DOMS after an intense work out.

Original poster
PotteringPanda · 22/10/2023 08:06

MachinesOfGod · 22/10/2023 07:12

It’s quite normal after a deep tissue massage, it’s like getting DOMS after an intense work out.

Thanks for your reply. I've read that it's normal to have soreness and that should go away after a few days and shouldn't limit your daily activities. I'm just concerned as it's now been a week and I can barely move

OP posts:
RaceToTheMiddle · 22/10/2023 08:09

Yes it is normal to have a bit of an achy feel the day after (or 2 maybe) but 6? No I wouldn’t say that’s normal.

You really should contact her and report back.
Is the pain staying the same or has it got worse/better?

Original poster
PotteringPanda · 22/10/2023 10:35

RaceToTheMiddle · 22/10/2023 08:09

Yes it is normal to have a bit of an achy feel the day after (or 2 maybe) but 6? No I wouldn’t say that’s normal.

You really should contact her and report back.
Is the pain staying the same or has it got worse/better?

It's staying the same, hasn't got any better. Taking pain killers but they're not helping that much.

OP posts:
Garman · 22/10/2023 18:43

Well I mean it's clearly not normal to still be in pain so long after a massage and obviously entirely not normal to be in so much pain you can't move or walk?! Go to your gp or something.

PabloandGustheGreySquirrels · 22/10/2023 19:10

I bet she's not qualified

Original poster
PotteringPanda · 22/10/2023 19:15

Thanks everyone. I'm going to see my GP tomorrow and speak to the massage therapist. Hopefully it will all resolve

OP posts:
EveSix · 24/10/2023 08:54

Just checking in to see how you are getting on? I so hope you're in less pain and that conversations with GP and therapist have been fruitful.

WonderingWanda · 24/10/2023 09:01

It can be normal to be sore but you could also have something else going on. For muscular back pain I find oral pain relief useless and something like voltrol gel much more effective. Try some of that and if that doesn't ease the pain then maybe it's a trapped nerve or something. Also make sure you drink plenty of water, when you get a deep tissue massage and all the knots get broken down you need to flush it all out. Also a bit of gentle stretching.

Original poster
PotteringPanda · 24/10/2023 20:06

EveSix · 24/10/2023 08:54

Just checking in to see how you are getting on? I so hope you're in less pain and that conversations with GP and therapist have been fruitful.

Thank you! I've been prescribed stronger painkillers and a muscle relaxer which has helped. Still not back to my usual self but have made progress! Seeing my physio tomorrow too. So hopefully I'll start feeling even better

OP posts:
DottyMacaroon · 14/11/2023 14:19

How are you now OP?

Original poster
PotteringPanda · 20/11/2023 10:49

DottyMacaroon · 14/11/2023 14:19

How are you now OP?

Thanks for asking! I'm a little better, still on painkillers and in pain. I've been referred for an x-ray so just waiting for the appointment

OP posts:
DottyMacaroon · 20/11/2023 11:03

Oh bless you! I was hoping you’d be fine by now!

DottyMacaroon · 04/12/2023 16:24

How are you OP? I saw an osteopath a few days ago and they’ve given me more pain and now I’m worried!

PassingStranger · 22/05/2024 16:37

What happened on this?

Deedoo · 07/03/2025 18:35

@DottyMacaroon oh what did they do

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