Massage therapy should make you feel better, not worse. And most of the time that’s the case. Sure, you may feel sore afterwards—because working the muscles releases toxins into your bloodstream—but “you should never be in pain during or after a massage,” says Samantha Burton of Cityspa.
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Soreness is one thing, but real pain after a massage is another. |
But what if you feel that massage therapy has, in fact, caused or aggravated an injury?
First, do your part to prevent that from happening. That means getting your doctor’s permission to treat any known injury or chronic condition with massage therapy. Acute injuries probably shouldn’t be treated with massage, and most therapists won’t work on them.
Next, go to a certified massage therapist so that you have recourse with the state licensing board (here in Virginia, that’s the Board of Nursing) in the event of injury. The Board of Nursing maintains codes of conduct for massage therapists and files complaints on clients’ behalf.
Finally, know that injury caused by massage is extremely rare. Take responsibility for your pre-existing health conditions, and enjoy that feeling of “aaahhh.”—Kathryn Faulkner
