Have you ever thought a massage has to be painful to be productive?
As a massage therapist for nearly a decade, I've seen this time and again with folks. I've tried many different ways to explain that this is a myth, as it often leads to clients tensing during the massage, with less lasting results. But, like many myths, there is some truth to it. There is that "hurts so good" sensation many of us are familiar with. This is useful information for when you are doing self massage, and to let you know when it’s time to tell your LMT to lighten up.
Practioners look for these signs through non-verbal communication, but verbal feedback is helpful too.
Here are simple tips to help you know when pain in a massage is okay:
1.) You can breathe.
2.) You are not straining and using unnecessary muscles (i.e. you're not tensing up your feet or legs in order to withstand the work being done on your neck.)
3.) Muscle soreness lasts for only a couple of days and you do not experience joint pain. (Like what you would feel after a workout.)
I am passionate about providing effective treatment that feels relaxing in the process. To schedule your next massage click here.
