seems like i’m always sore from something-or-another in the normal course of swimming, biking, running, stretching, weight work, yoga, whatever. i’m always in a state of mild pain or, if i do something stupid like run up and down hills like this past weekend, sometimes my shins, hips, quads, hams, etc., really kinda hurt a little more than i like.
so i go to the massage guy this morning, and he’s a big burly dude who works on the pro basketball and football guys here in Cleveland, so he pulls no punches with the stuff that’s sore or tight or hurting, and sometimes it hurts SO BAD when he works on it (like the abductors or the soles of my feet) that it makes me cry.
is that normal? do you get a massage when you’re hurting, or do you wait till it gets better? aargh, i almost dread going in there, but it always feels a lot better a couple hours after he’s done. sometimes i get so dizzy when he’s done, though, that i can barely walk.
I have a few places that are really tender when massaged. For example, I have some problems in my forearms (from too much typing) and my massage therapist really digs in there to work them out. That’s a little uncomfortable. But, when he’s working on my legs or back there’s no pain. I would suggest that if you’re in pain all the time, then you’re probably tightening up your muscles when he’s working on you and therefore you’re not getting as much relief as you could be. I really think you need to talk to him about it. It’s my understanding that you want to be relaxed during a massage to get the most from it. He may not realize how much discomfort you’re in. Ask him about it and see what he says.
thanks, dawn, yeah we’ve discussed it. i asked him once if the linebackers he works on cry, and he says “well yeah they’re human too.” i think he just gives a really deep massage. and it’s always the sore stuff that hurts, all of it on my left side, from my shoulder all the way to my feet (never have figured that one out). we’ve talked about new shoes, new orthotics, better bike fit, etc., etc., etc., but nothing seems to kill the soreness (except not working out, which isn’t acceptable). so … sore muscles hurt when you massage them, i guess?
I don’t usually get massages when my muscles are just sore. I only get massages when my muscles get locked up. A couple of times a year, my upper back and neck locks up and I can barely move. That’s about the only time I get a massage. The other time might be when I’m putting in some long running miles and I want some relief in my legs. Again, maybe once a year.
I’m often sore after a hard run or after my long runs. However, I think rest is the best thing for that. I will take a day off or take an easy day. I also have an amazing hot tub that has very good massaging jets so I’ll often get in there to work out any kinks.
I’ve used the TP Massage Ball home massage kit for years and, on rare occasions, it hurts so much that I do cry. But it’s always a “hurts so good” type of pain.
I have a tender point under my left scapula that KILLS me on long rides. I had a massage last Friday and she found it and proceeded to work on it for what seemed like an eternity! I was flinching and almost crying. She kept saying sorry and asking if I was ok. I told her to do whatever needs to be done so I can ride at least partially pain free. While it’s not cured, it is much better.
yeah, i’m lying there while he’s torturing me thinking “it’s only pain, let it go” and trying to relax so he can really dig into the muscle/tendon, and wondering if i’m on crack or what for letting someone do that to me. but, like i say, it’s always better afterward …
My RMT asks me how I’m doing during the obvious tender parts of the massage. Recently she was working on my abs and asked me how I was doing. My response: “I kind of feel like punching you in the face right now”.
I have several very tender spots–hamstrings, IT band, traps, and others that hurt a lot when being massaged. My massage therapist knows the right amount of pressure to apply and if it seems like I am resisting, she asks if it is too much and I tell her if it is (I usually say no!). I enjoy every minute that I am there because I know that it is making me feel better. I hate when I go to other massage therapists and they are too light with the massage.
That being said, I don’t go for a deep tissue massage when I am really sore–like right after a race or extremely hard workout. Notice that the massages in the post race tent are not deep tissue.
On that note, I have to leave for a massage in a half hour!
I get some knots in my calf that hurt so much to work out it makes me feel like I should bite down on a leather strap or something. Usually, I make the husband work on them and do the TP massage ball on them, but yeah I know what you mean about the “why am I letting someone do this to me?” feeling…
I go to the biggest, strongest and meanest MT in the metroplex once a week. It hurts less now than when we started 5 years ago. He literally spent the first 6 months ripping 50 years of scar tissue out of my body. 5 years ago I had to sit in the car for a few minutes and compose myself before I could drive. Now, not so much. My observation is that the tighter you are the worse it hurts. The last body part to let go was my feet. He used to laugh that he could beat me with a tire iron and I was completely stoic but was a complete wimp when it came to my feet. But now that the feet are looser its not so bad.
So you are doing the right thing and sounds like you have a good MT. Many are not so good and deep tissue is a hard thing to do right. Is it worth it? About 2 years after we started the spousal unit was out and about when she saw a runner in the distance and was amazed when she got close enough to see it was me. My stride had changed so much and she didn’t recognize me.
MT’s are very much an underutilized asset on this Board.
Quads and psoas. I use karate breathing (out-out-out-out forcefully) when it gets really painful. Or during A.R.T., I just say bad words, but not cry, though I’ll tell the when it’s too much.
If it’s hurting that bad, then he’s going too deep. Have him back off just a bit.
You should never be hurt by a massage - you may be sore, but not hurt. Never bruised as well (although this may happen when you first develop a relationship with the person). The key is communication. Please never be afraid to tell them how you are feeling - if they don’t listen, you should never see them again and find a new person.
The person you are looking for is someone that understands those “little places” that always seem to hurt us and how to deal with them. The person that listens and cares. The person with patience to work slowly and carefully on what you need done. It is also a great advantage when the person will spend the time to show and teach you exercises / stretches to help with the areas that you have difficulties with.
yeah, i use the eff word a lot in that room with the mystic music soothing in the background. he should be playing Wagner or something at full blast and bringing out the black leather, whip & chains. foul language doesn’t deter him at all. he’s a monster. really sweet looking innocuous guy, but inside he’s a raving sadist. six hours later … it’s all good, feels great. he knows his stuff. awful to endure, though.
I know it sounds kind of New Age-y for this place, but during a psoas release, a lot of held emotion can be released as well.
Don’t ask me why. I was skeptical,too. But when in massage school, I got my first psoas release and balled like a baby in front of the whole class! It wasn’t from pain…
FYI, made my second trip to a new ART guy this morning, and *he *makes me cry. But, because he gives me hope for pain-free running, I will keep going back. Cross your fingers for me.
My RMT is a an evil, sadistic SOB that takes great pleasure in causing me pain. Were I a secret agent there’d be no more National secrets…
He works with several professional sports teams and his preference is to work with athletes. I’ve had moments on the table where I was but a hair away from throwing up, passing out and shitting myself simultaneously. He’s very good.
yes, yes and yes… the key is to keep going on a regular basis- I just use a lot of bad words and usually there’s no-one in the other offices until I’m done or about to be done. It does hurt enough to make me yell out loud but my MT is someone I’ve been going to for many many years. I use a foam roller religiously in between sessions and that thing can make me see stars as well!
i don’t believe that massage or physio or chiro. or any type of treatments should hurt so much that
you cry. if you have that much pain, stressing that area can’t be good.
have you thought of seeing a chiropractor…one who specializes in athletes.
i used to be very leary of chiros. but found one who is amazing. maybe you need
a good tweaking!!
