Massage After Care Guide
This Massage After Care Guide covers what to expect after your session, along with simple steps to help your body recover and get the most benefit from your massage.
For further information and reference: https://fullcircleorthopedics.com/
Normal Symptoms:
- Day 1-3 – You may experience increased soreness, body aches, headache, fatigue, tiredness, and/or thirstiness following your treatment
For the First 48 Hours, TRY TO AVOID:
- Processed sugar and alcohol. Natural sugar such as fruits and vegetables are fine
- Heavy exercise. Light exercise and stretching are encouraged
For the First 48 Hours, WE ENCOURAGE:
- Increased water intake – this is very important
- Increased rest if experiencing more tiredness or fatigue
- Take Magnesium supplement topically or orally as needed for muscle soreness
- If increased soreness, may use anti-inflammatories (known as NSAIDs) or analgesics topically and orally for 1-2 days. This includes Ibuprofen (Advil), Naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib (Celebrex), Meloxicam (Mobic), Acetominophen (Tylenol), Arnica, Biofreeze, etc.
Recommended Activity Level:
- Day 1 – No exercise for the rest of the day except leisurely walking
- Day 2 – Mild exercise (25% of your regular exercise)
- Day 3 – Progress to normal activity
Possible Side Effects:
- Bruising at the areas of “deep” massage
- Mild Headache; should not have vision changes, nausea or vomiting
- Body Aches
- Tiredness/Fatigue
- Increased thirst
Recovery Timeline:
Most people follow a similar recovery pattern after a massage. On day 1, mild soreness, fatigue, or thirst is common as your body responds to the treatment, so keeping activity light and hydration up makes a real difference. By day 2, soreness typically eases and you can gradually reintroduce light exercise. By day 3, most people feel back to their normal baseline and can resume regular activity levels. Staying consistent with the after care steps above during these first few days helps you feel the full benefit of your massage sooner.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is it normal to feel worse after a massage?
Yes. Mild soreness, body aches, headache, or fatigue in the first 1-3 days is a normal response as your body adjusts and begins to recover from the massage.
Why should I drink more water after a massage?
Increased water intake helps your body flush out metabolic waste released during deep tissue work, and supports a smoother, more comfortable recovery.
When can I return to normal exercise after a massage?
Most people can progress to normal activity by day 3, following a gradual step-up from light walking on day 1 to about 25% of regular exercise on day 2.
General guidance on post-massage recovery and soft tissue response continues to be studied, as documented in research available on PubMed.
Call the Office if You Are Experiencing the Following:
- Pain out of proportion of normal
- Dizziness, Vertigo
- Vision Changes
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Any other abnormal symptoms that are concerning to you
