02/12/2026
Does massage therapy hurt?
The short answer is: no! Neither table nor Thai massage should be "painful."
Massage therapy can be sore, but the feedback I get from clients is that it's "a good hurt."
You should NOT feel the need to grin and bear it through a massage. If you're receiving work and your body is tense and you're just trying to make it through the pain, then it's too intense.
That body tension you're holding is counterproductive to the work we're trying to accomplish, which is to put your body in a parasympathetic state and gently target and release tension while your body is relaxed.
Not to mention that the pain you're feeling could be an indication of tissue damage.
That's not to say that the work can't be deep or intense; massage can be sore, but it shouldn't push you past that point where you feel the need to guard your body.
If you want to feel work that finds the balance of being effective and intense without pushing too hard, give me a call! I'm happy to help you on your healing journey, or answer any questions you may have.
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