Do massages hurt?

It’s simple but true: people don’t like pain. That’s why if you’ve never had a massage before, chances are one of the biggest questions that comes to mind when you think about the treatment is, “Will it hurt?” That’s a legitimate question. After all, massage therapy is all about subjecting yourself to another person’s touch. It can be scary to think that a therapist will have complete control over you as you lay on a massage table. But the reality of massage is you are completely in control at all times. A therapist may perform the treatment, but you control the touch. Therefore, pain has no place in a massage treatment.

How a massage works

You’ll feel much less apprehensive about a massage if you know what to expect when you walk into the treatment room. First of all, a therapist should ask you what kind of touch you prefer before you even lay down on the table. Use this opportunity to tell your therapist you want a gentle massage. Let her know that you are concerned about the treatment being painful; this should make her very aware of providing you with a light touch. During the actual massage, your therapist will run her hands over your body, applying various amounts of pressure and using different strokes to achieve results. She may use her fists, fingers, palms or all of her forearms to press on your soft tissues. Motions used may include rolling, pounding, patting, and pressing with one or two fingers, but the most common movement will be a long, stroking action with light pressure. If at any time during the massage you feel pain, speak up! Let the therapist know you’re uncomfortable and that you’d like a softer touch. She should comply. If the pain persists after you’ve asked for less pressure, stop the treatment. You have a right to end a massage whenever you’d like; don’t be afraid to use this right if you are uncomfortable.

Types of gentle massage

If you’re concerned about pain, there are some kinds of massage that will be better for you than others. In any massage, you have control over how much pressure is applied; but the following massage varieties are naturally some of the gentlest. Swedish massage: A Swedish massage treatment is best for your first therapeutic massage experience. This variety is the oldest kind of therapeutic massage; all other types were derived from it. A Swedish massage is naturally gentle, but it’s also very effective. It uses light, long, shallow strokes to ease tension in the back, neck and shoulders. Although a Swedish treatment shouldn’t ever hurt, remember to tell your therapist you’d like a gentle touch just to make sure your massage will be enjoyable. Reflexology: A reflexology treatment focuses on the feet. It’s a great option for spa goers worried about a back massage causing pain. Most reflexology treatments are gentle but pleasant. They can provide relief for the whole body through pressure-point therapy. Cranio-sacral massage: This is a head-and-neck therapy that offers nothing but gentle touches. Only the lightest strokes are used in a cranio-sacral massage because it’s more about balancing energy and creating a relaxing environment. Lymphatic drainage: This style of massage works to stimulate your lymphatic system, which shuttles toxins out of your body. A soft, rhythmic motion is used to stimulate the lymph nodes. Lymphatic drainage massage is one of the best options for customers who want to avoid discomfort due to swelling.

Massage styles to avoid

Just as there are naturally gentle styles of massage, so are there techniques that should be best avoided if you’re concerned about pain. The following styles are not painful per se, but they do use much more force and can leave patrons feeling sore afterward. Deep-tissue massage: The whole purpose of a deep-tissue treatment is to penetrate far into the muscles to relieve knots and built-up tension. Needless to say, this style uses force. It can be great for people who like a stronger touch, but it is not suited for newcomers to the massage world. Shiatsu: This technique uses mainly the thumbs to apply pressure to energy points on the back. It can be uncomfortable if you have lots of tense muscles. Rolfing: This practice has a reputation for being painful, although it is very effective for relieving tension and chronic pain. Like deep tissue work, Rolfing penetrates deep into muscles, tendons, and ligaments to reorganize these soft tissues.

What to remember about massage and pain

No massage treatment should ever be painful for you. You may experience discomfort at times, but this is not the goal of any massage. Most massage therapists will be more than willing to alter any treatment to suit your comfort level. The treatment is about meeting your needs, so changing a technique to make it feel good to you is expected. Therefore, you shouldn’t worry about pain during massages. If fear of pain is holding your back from getting a massage treatment, try to overcome this fear and schedule an appointment. After one treatment, you’ll never be worried again!