Can a massage do more harm than good?
Emily Sparks
Published Jan 24, 2026
Done right, a massage can help everything from stress and migraines to serious illnesses like Parkinson's and Sickle Cell Anemia. But a bad massage can actually injure nerves and cause muscle spasms and inflammation.
Can a massage make things worse?
Massage is like exercise: It forces blood into your muscles, bringing nutrients and removing toxins. This process can temporarily increase inflammation (the healing response) to areas that the body feels need attention. This inflammation can bring discomfort.
Can a massage be harmful?
The risk of harmful effects from massage therapy appears to be low. However, there have been rare reports of serious side effects, such as a blood clot, nerve injury, or bone fracture.
Can a deep tissue massage be harmful?
Some dangers of deep tissue massage should not be ignored. Deep tissue massage can cause injuries such as sprains, strains, and dislocations when misused. In extreme cases, it can even lead to death.
What are the negatives of massage?
Most Common Side Effects
- Lingering Pain. Due to the pressurised techniques used in a deep tissue massage, some people have suffered from some version of pain during and/or after their therapy session. ...
- Headaches/Migraines. ...
- Fatigue or Sleepiness. ...
- Inflammation. ...
- Nausea.
Can massages damage nerves?
Yes, you can damage nerves by massaging your neck, but it's rare and rarely serious.
Is daily massage harmful?
Is it bad to get a massage everyday? For general wellness and relaxation you may safely enjoy a relaxation massage twice a day – in the morning and one at night! For treatment of a chronic condition; it can take some time for muscle pain relief with targeted massage therapy sessions that are less frequent.
What happens if you massage too much?
That pain might be telling you you're running over bone or nerve bundles, and this can cause damage like neuropathy in the long run. It's also possible to over-stimulate the muscle, leading to fluid build-up in the muscle tissue.
Can you use a back massager too much?
The saying, “Everything in moderation” definitely applies to this situation. Too much time spent receiving a deep tissue massage can bruise your muscles, particularly if you have just started getting used to a massage chair. It can even damage and cause inflammation in the body's soft tissues, as well.
Why I quit being a massage therapist?
The first five years of practice are the most difficult because you're not used to the physical demands, and many massage therapists quit due to burnout. Acclimating to the emotional demands are difficult as well. Clients come to you with frustrations and complaints, often times breaking down and crying in the room.
Can you have too much massage?
There are no standard guidelines for the number of massages you can get, but a massage therapist or your doctor may be able to recommend a frequency and duration that work best for your needs. Massages for injury are typically more frequent, while massages for pampering or relaxation purposes can occur less often.
Can you be over massaged?
It would usually be mild with massage, but not necessarily. Excessive pressure can probably cause “rhabdo”: poisoning by proteins liberated from injured muscle, a “muscle crush” injury. For example: an 88-year old man collapsed the day after an unusually strong 2-hour session of massage therapy.
Who should not get a massage?
Here are the conditions that fall into these category;
- Fever. Anytime you have a fever, whether from a cold, the flu or some other infection, you should not get a massage. ...
- Contagious Diseases. ...
- Blood Clots. ...
- Pregnancy. ...
- Kidney Conditions or Liver Conditions. ...
- Cancer. ...
- Inflammation. ...
- Uncontrolled Hypertension.
Why do I feel worse after massage?
It's normal to feel sore after a massage. The technique carries blood and nutrients to your muscles while eliminating toxins. After stimulating muscles that you may not usually use, you might experience delayed onset muscle soreness. This is a physical response to the inflammation as your body heals.
How often should you get massages?
If you're working on a specific pain issue or injury, weekly massages can be a good starting place if it's in your budget. For more of a general tuneup, or for stress-relief, every 4-6 weeks is the average time frame.
How often should you get a massage for knots?
How often should you massage muscle knots? For the best results, you should massage each muscle group for up to 6 minutes a day. This is entirely dependent on each individual and how bad the muscle knot is. You can massage muscle knots every day, but don't over-do it as this could actually cause more irritation.
Can I have a massage everyday?
If you're looking for a little wellness and relaxation, you can safely enjoy a relaxation massage at most, every day. However, make sure to space it out so that your body does not get overwhelmed.
Is electric massager harmful?
Massagers and Electric Shock
When using electric massagers, another potential adverse side effect to consider is the risk of electric shock. To prevent being shocked during use, make sure that you follow instructions and the casing and cords of the massager itself are in good condition and neither cracked nor frayed.
Is it safe to use massager on neck?
Massage therapy for the neck is a relatively safe treatment. Some people may experience increased neck soreness and/or swelling shortly after a massage, but these side effects typically do not last long.
How often is too much massage?
Actually, you can get massaged too frequently. Once a week is the most you should go unless you are dealing with pain or high-intensity sports. Between you and your therapist, you'll be able to determine the best frequency because your body's response is a large part of this determination.
How long is too long for a massage?
If relaxation is your goal, then a 50 or 60 minute massage is generally appropriate. You can certainly do a longer session of 80 or 90 minutes if you like, but anything much longer than that may tend to feel a bit repetitive or may leave you groggy afterward. Specific work is generally more time-consuming.
Why does deep tissue massage hurt so much?
So, for many DTM therapists, the answer to the question, “why do deep tissue massages hurt” is pretty simple and straightforward, it is due to the amount of pressure applied to the muscles of the affected body part in order to break away the scar tissues that some people may feel the pain and soreness afterward.
Do massages have long term benefits?
Other long-term benefits of massage therapy include: Increased energy levels and reduced fatigue. A stronger immune system. Improved sleep.
Is it OK to get 2 massages in a week?
This depends on the client and discussion after consultation but for a deep tissue massage I recommend once a week for the 1st 6 weeks then one once every 2 weeks or once a month. For a relaxing massage you can have one whenever you feel the need to have one.
Can massage damage your spine?
In some cases, there is a possibility that a deep tissue massage has caused a new injury. Most reported cases of this are in areas of the back and neck. It is likely a muscle injury, but also may indicate nerve damage. Prolonged lower back pain is not a normal effect of massage.