Post-Massage Back Pain: Causes, Risks, and What to Do

Question
Hi.

I've had several massages, but twice after the massage was over I had a lot of back pain. (I had no pain prior to the massage)  I was hardly able to get off the table or get dressed.   I asked my chiropractor and he said it could have been a release of toxins.   Is this common?

Thank you,

~Tracey

Answer
Greetings Tracey. Having more pain after a massage than you had before is not uncommon. It can indeed be a realease of the toxins and build up. When muscles are extrememly tight, they no longer pump lymphatic fluid through themselves. Without this washing effect, cellular debris, bacterium, viruses, and metabolic waste can build up. Massage physically force these out of the muscle tissue and back into the immune system.

There are a few other things this could be, too. It could be a sign that your therapist did not warm up the tissue enough before doing deep work. The muscles can become bruised and sore. It is also possible to activate trigger points (TPs) that were previously quiet by massaging them. Basically, the massage brings your mind's attention back to a problem area that it had stopped sensing, rekindling pain that you had forgotten or been unaware of.

I think that you can get a better idea from the pain itself. If you have generalized pain while feeling ill in the rest of your body would indicate that toxin release has happened. The toxins will make the area hurt, and make you feel sick while the immune system fights them off. If the pain is only really present on touch and movement, then bruising might be involved. If it is an ache that persist no matter what you do, then I would suspect reactivated TPs. The best thing for you to do for yourself is ice the area. Use either a baggie filled with ice and a tiny bit of water, or a bag of frozen veggies (any flavor or mix). Keep the ice on for 15 minutes, take it off for half an hour, and repeat 2 to 3 times, twice a day. This will help the area heal and reduce any inflamation. Also, feel free to talk with your therapist about it, and maybe have them lighten the pressure a bit and see if that makes any difference.

I hope this helps, Tracey. Please let me know i you have any other questions. Also please fell free to rate me on AllExperts; both constructive and positive vfeedback help me learn to help others better.

Sincerely,
Christopher Hall