Is It Normal to Feel Sick After Massage? Let's Find Out

Getting a massage can be an incredibly rejuvenating and relaxing experience, but can you feel sick after massage?

Finding out why you feel sick after massage can be a bit of a mystery, but there are several possible explanations.

For one many people believe the process of getting a massage can cause a release of toxins from the body. As these toxins are released, they can make you feel nauseous or lightheaded.

Others believe that experiencing sickness after massage can be a result of the human body being overstimulated.

But what if we told you that there are other reasons you might feel sick after a massage?

That's what you'll find out in this article. We'll go over some of the possible causes and even provide some tips on how to prevent it from happening in the future.

Let's get started!

Possible Reasons Why You Feel Sick After Massage

Experiencing post-massage discomfort, including feelings akin to flu-like symptoms or digestive symptoms, can be disconcerting but is not uncommon.

That's why understanding the potential causes of these sensations is essential for those seeking the soothing benefits of massage therapy while mitigating potential side effects. Some of them include:

Dehydration and toxic overload

One prevalent factor contributing to post-massage nausea or lymph flow disruption is dehydration.

When you receive a massage, your body undergoes a process of detoxification, eliminating waste materials and toxins from your system. Insufficient pre- and intra-massage hydration can hamper this detoxification process, potentially leading to feelings of nausea or lightheadedness.

Low blood sugar 

Another consideration is low blood sugar, which can be further exacerbated by the physical and mental demands of a massage.

If you haven't eaten recently or are experiencing physical stress before your session, the depletion of blood sugar can cause feelings of faintness or even nausea. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels through adequate nutrition before your massage is crucial.

Oxygen levels and improper massage technique

Occasionally, feelings of nausea can be attributed to oxygen levels in your blood.

During a massage, relaxation can cause your breathing to slow down or pause temporarily. This reduction in oxygen circulation may lead to temporary sensations of nausea, although they typically dissipate quickly, allowing you to resume your daily activities without concern.

Technique matters

The technique employed during the massage itself plays a pivotal role.

If excessive pressure or inappropriate methods are applied, it can result in feelings of dizziness or nausea afterward. Clear communication with your massage therapist is key to ensuring your comfort and minimizing potential side effects.

Likewise, if you're using a massage tool like the Fusion Elite, adhering to proper usage instructions is essential to reducing the risk of nausea or other adverse reactions from intense massage sessions.

Sickness or infection

Having an existing illness or infection can compound feelings of discomfort following a massage.

Massage therapy may exacerbate symptoms, making you feel lightheaded or generally unwell. In such cases, it's advisable to postpone your massage until you've recovered to avoid unnecessary strain on your body.

Overexposure to scents and oils

For those sensitive to scents or allergic to certain oils, overexposure to massage products can be a trigger for nausea.

Communicating any sensitivities to your massage therapist or opting for scent-free alternatives when using a massage tool at home can help prevent this issue.

General discomfort

Ultimately, a sense of unease or discomfort during the massage itself can be a significant factor behind post-massage queasiness.

Whether it's due to the massage position, pressure applied, or sheer exhaustion, feeling uneasy during your session can lead to subsequent sensations of nausea.

Understanding the potential causes of post-massage discomfort, including the risk of nausea, is essential for those seeking the therapeutic benefits of massage therapy.

Adequate hydration, stable blood sugar levels, and clear communication with your therapist or proper usage of massage tools are crucial elements in ensuring a positive massage experience. Let's dive into what you should do if you feel sick after massage therapy. 

What To Do If You Feel Sick After Massage

If you're prone to feeling sick after your massage session, there are a few tips that can help you minimize or prevent the symptoms.

Below are some of them:

Stay hydrated

Remember when we talked about dehydration being one of the possible causes of feeling sick after massage?

Drinking plenty of water is one of the best ways to prevent nausea and dizziness. Drink lots of water before and after your massage session to ensure a dehydrated person has enough fluids and electrolytes.

Studies have shown that drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day can help reduce the risk of feeling sick after massage. With proper hydration, your body will be able to flush out toxic lymphatic fluids and built-up toxins more efficiently for a pleasant experience.

You can also drink electrolyte drinks or sports drinks for added electrolytes and minerals. This way, you can ensure that your body has enough electrolytes to function properly.

Make sure to eat something light before your session

It's also a good idea to make sure you eat something before your body massage.

Even if it's just a light snack, having something in your stomach will help reduce the risk of feeling sick during or after the massage.

Eating can help provide your body with energy and prevent any sudden drops in blood sugar, which can lead to feelings of nausea. Having a snack before your session also ensures that your body has the proper nutrients it needs to recover and repair itself.

This way, you can feel refreshed and energized after your regular massage session instead of feeling nauseous.

Don't overuse massage oils or scented candles

While having a massage oil or scented candle during your session can provide a pleasant atmosphere, it's important to not overuse them.

Too much of these products can lead to nausea and other uncomfortable sensations. If you're using a massage tool at home, opt for scent-free oils to reduce the risk of feeling sick.

It's also important to inform your massage therapist if you have any allergies or sensitivities to certain scents or oils. This way, they can adjust the session accordingly and make sure you're comfortable throughout.

Inform your massage therapist if you feel uncomfortable during the session

Undergoing massage therapy is supposed to be a relaxing and enjoyable experience.

If you ever feel uncomfortable during the session, it's important to inform your massage therapist right away. This way, they can adjust the pressure or technique of the massage to make sure that you're comfortable and not feeling sick.

They can also recommend certain stretches or exercises to help alleviate any symptoms of nausea and dizziness that may arise after the session.

Follow instructions when using a massage tool at home

Massage tools (like a percussion massage gun) have become increasingly popular for self-care and relaxation.

These tools are easy to use and can be quite effective in relieving muscle tension. However, it's important to follow the instructions carefully when using them at home.

If you're using popular tools like deep tissue massage guns, use them in moderation and avoid overworking the same area of your body. This will help prevent any feelings of dizziness or nausea after massage.

You also want to avoid using the massage tool for too long as this can cause muscle soreness and cause discomfort. If you ever feel uncomfortable during or after the session, stop immediately and wait until you feel better before continuing.

Take a break between sessions

A final tip to help avoid feeling sick after massage is to give your body a break in between sessions.

You want to make sure that your unhealthy tissues have enough time to recover and repair themselves before you get another massage. This will help reduce the risk of feeling sick and ensure that you're able to enjoy the benefits of massage therapy without any issues.

On these factors do not play a part in feeling sick after massage. So, make sure to give your body ample time to rest and recover before scheduling another appointment. This way, you can enjoy the many benefits of massage therapy without any worries.

These are a few simple tips that can help prevent feeling sick after massage. From drinking plenty water and having a light snack beforehand to informing your therapist of any allergies or sensitivities, these tips can help ensure that you have an enjoyable and relaxing experience each time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about why people feel sick after massage. Here you'll get everything you need to know to help ensure your massage sessions are comfortable and enjoyable.

How long does it usually take for people who feel sick after massage to recover?

The amount of time it takes to recover after feeling sick after massage varies from person to person.

Generally, most people will start to feel better within a few hours, but it can take up to 24 hours for the nausea and dizziness to subside completely. Making sure that you get adequate rest and hydrate properly is important for helping your body recover quickly.

Should I cancel my massage session if I always feel sick after?

While feeling sick after a massage can be a common and unpleasant occurrence, it doesn't necessarily mean that you have to stop getting massages altogether.

There are several steps you can take to help ensure that your experience is more comfortable and enjoyable.

If the symptoms are mild and only occur occasionally, then it may be safe to continue with the sessions. However, if you're experiencing more severe or persistent symptoms of nausea and dizziness, it's best to stop the massages until you've consulted with a doctor.

When should I seek medical attention if I feel sick after a massage?

If you've ever felt sick after a modern or traditional massage and the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, it's important to seek medical attention.

It's also important to seek medical advice if you experience any sudden or severe symptoms such as nerve pain, shortness of breath, extreme dizziness, or nausea. These could be signs of a more serious issue that needs to be addressed by a doctor.

What's more, conditions like certain allergic reactions or heart conditions could make you more susceptible to feeling sick after massage. Make sure to inform your massage therapist or healthcare provider about any relevant health issues before your session so they can adjust the technique accordingly.

Can certain types of massage make me I feel sick after a massage?

Yes, certain types of massage can make you feel sick after a massage.

While the causes of feeling sick after massage can vary from person to person, some techniques may be more likely to induce nausea and dizziness than others. For example, deep tissue massages, which involve using a lot of pressure on deeper layers of muscle tissue, are more likely to cause these symptoms.

The same is true for Swedish massages, which involve a lot of kneading and stroking of your tired muscle fibers. Lymphatic drainage massages can also cause feelings of nausea and dizziness due to the gentle, yet rhythmic pressure applied.

If you're worried about feeling sick after a massage, you should take the time to discuss the best massage technique for you with your massage therapist.

Can certain health or medical condition increase the likelihood of feeling sick after a massage?

Yes, certain health condition and medications can increase the likelihood of feeling sick after a massage.

People with a history of migraines, heart problems, and/or high blood pressure may be more prone to feeling dizzy or nauseous after a massage session.

What's more, people who take medications such as antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may also experience symptoms of nausea and dizziness post -massage.

Conclusion

Hope this article has provided you with the information you need to understand why people feel sick after massage.

From dehydration to low blood sugar and more, there are several potential causes for feeling nauseous or dizzy after a massage. Many of these issues can be prevented by a number of simple steps, such as drinking water before and after the massage, eating a balanced meal, and taking breaks in between sessions.

If you ever experience severe or persistent symptoms after following these prevention tips, be sure to seek medical advice.

This way, you can ensure that any underlying issues are treated, and you can enjoy the benefits of massage therapy without any concerns.

Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us.