Should there be bruises after a massage?

The massage procedure is most often associated with the effect of relaxation, rest, something intimate and pleasant. This perception is quite appropriate, but it is important not to forget that massage is also an important medical procedure. The appearance of bruises after a massage is considered acceptable. Now you need to figure out in what cases bruises and pain during a massage are considered normal.

Why do bruises appear?

Massage has long been used not only for relaxation, but also for medicinal purposes. Technology is constantly being improved and developed, and new approaches are emerging. The appearance of bruises after a massage scares many people, and this issue needs to be dealt with in more detail.

What is considered normal in such situations? Should there be bruises after a massage?

Much depends on the professionalism of the massage therapist and the basic technique he uses. Naturally, the individual characteristics of the patient’s body (in cases of a medical procedure) or client also do not remain aside.

Bruises after a massage appear due to rupture of the walls of blood vessels, which were subjected to increased pressure during the action. The fragility of blood vessels in a person can negate all the professionalism and accuracy of a massage therapist, but it is better to know about such features and warn in advance.

Experts identify several main reasons:

Increased skin sensitivity, too thin skin.
The proximity of blood vessels to the surface of the skin.
A certain massage technique, fists can be used.
Lack of proper professional training for a massage therapist
Increased fragility of blood vessels, diseases of the circulatory system.

However, there are types of massage, after which bruises can be considered normal.

Why do bruises occur after a massage?

The first massage procedure leads to bruising more often than subsequent procedures. This is explained by the fact that the specialist did not calculate the force of impact and did not take into account the characteristics of the patient’s skin.

Other reasons for the appearance of bruises after a massage include the following.

Aggressive massage technique that uses fists. This type of effect on the skin is used to correct the figure. In this case, hematomas are inevitable.
Increased skin sensitivity . If a patient’s capillaries are located too close to the skin, then the specialist’s competence and even decades of experience behind him do not matter. The slightest impact can lead to the formation of hematomas.
Massage to eliminate cellulite requires the efforts of a massage therapist. In this regard, there is a high probability of damage to small vessels and bruising.
Use of additional items . We are talking about vacuum or cupping types of massage.

Note! In the east, massage techniques have been practiced for several centuries, after which not just bruises, but entire extensive hematomas appear on the body. Eastern experts believe that a bruise on the body created in this way forces the body to turn on its protective functions. As a result, cells are quickly renewed, and the work of nearby organs is restored.

Why do bruises appear after a vacuum massage?

Bruises that appear after a vacuum or cupping massage are an absolute norm . The appearance of these phenomena is more like round red spots. In medicine they are called “extravasates”.

Their main difference from ordinary hematomas is that their formation does not violate the integrity of the capillaries . The effect of vacuum massage lies in the ability of lymph and blood to move from an area with high pressure to an area of low pressure (the lower the pressure, the more blood flows there).

Photo 2. Round spots after cupping massage are the norm. Source: Flickr (Matt Kowal)

It is important! The wider the area of skin the jar sucks, the brighter the marks will be.

Extravasates , as a rule, appear on the body after the initial session. Within 3-4 procedures, blood circulation is restored, the patient no longer feels pain, and unsightly spots do not form (or at least they are barely visible).

Bruises after massage from cellulite

In most cases, these phenomena appear after the first sessions. It takes time for the dermis to get used to such intense effects.

Note! If the procedure is carried out by an experienced specialist, then the appearance of bruises is a completely normal reaction to external influence. Very soon the body will get used to the massage, and hematomas will be a thing of the past.

Hematomas after honey massage

The essence of this type of massage is to apply honey to the patient’s body, followed by kneading the skin using cotton.

In this case, the specialist’s hand is glued to the skin, then abruptly torn off, conditions reminiscent of a microvacuum blood flow increases, capillaries expand. Therefore, it is not surprising that bruises may form on the skin after this. This usually happens after the first and second procedures.

What is the purpose of massage?

There are types of massage, the effect of which is aimed at relaxation and relieving excess tension. This approach does not increase pressure on the tissue, so if bruises appear after the massage, it is better to check your own health.

For medicinal purposes, massage is performed to achieve the following effects:

Improved blood circulation.
Stimulation of metabolism and lymph outflow.
Elimination of edema, removal of toxins from the body.
Stimulation of the sebaceous glands.

Despite the important tasks, massage does not necessarily have to bring consequences in the form of bruises; to achieve the effect, it is not necessary to apply strong pressure to the tissue; it is enough to know the necessary pressure points.

Are bruises after a massage normal?

Depending on the type of massage used, bruising may indeed sometimes be considered normal. For example, if you want to get rid of cellulite, then you cannot do without bruises.

By the way, even in the case of simple techniques, a problem arises when bruises appear after the massage. The very first thing that could be the reason is that the massage therapist does not have enough experience. Of course, over time he will learn everything, but at first it is difficult for him to immediately determine how best to work with the skin and what techniques are strictly prohibited. But clients need the effect, and they end up with such a nuisance as bruises.

Some people have thin skin. You've probably encountered something like this: when you grab it a little harder, a bruise forms within 5 minutes. With such skin, bruises can remain even when there should not be any. In general, it is recommended to warn a specialist in advance about the characteristics of your skin. Then there will be no problems, because then he will select techniques that will not cause any harm.

Don't forget about cupping massage. It also involves bruising in any case because the skin in the cups is under pressure and it is very strong. Accordingly, the capillaries cannot withstand the pressure. Again, this is a normal situation. Now let's look at different types of massage separately.

Anticellulite massage

Bruises after an anti-cellulite massage are considered normal, this is explained by the reasons why cellulite forms under the skin. Unpleasant deposits are a consequence of metabolic disorders and lymph stagnation, and may also be accompanied by additional injury to the subcutaneous vessels.

The anti-cellulite massage procedure involves a fairly strong effect on tissue and subcutaneous deposits. As a result, the metabolism is stabilized and blood flow in the treated area improves, and bruises often appear after the massage.

The main causes of hematomas:

The vessels are heavily clogged with waste, their walls are thin and brittle.
The massage therapist uses increased force, which allows him to reach deeper tissues.
During the massage, adhesions are destroyed, which causes minor bruising.

It is important to understand that a one-time procedure of such a massage will not bring results. It is necessary to take a whole course of combating cellulite, which for many will become a painful struggle for beauty. Hematomas after the first sessions are completely normal; gradually the skin will get used to the effects and stop reacting in this way.

How to get rid of hematomas

If spots appear after the procedure, the patient must receive medical assistance to speed up the healing process. You can quickly remove bruises by applying a cold compress to the skin immediately after the massage. To prepare it, you can use ice wrapped in a rag or plastic bag. It is allowed to apply a heating pad with the listed components. If a day has passed after the warm-up, the affected area must be warmed up. In this case, pharmaceuticals and traditional medicine tricks are suitable for treatment.

Drugs from the pharmacy for bruises after massage

Special ointments, creams and balms will help you get rid of bruises from anti-cellulite massage. The most popular of them:

Troxevasin - improves local blood circulation, dilates blood vessels. If after the session the patient is bothered by pain and swelling, the ointment will eliminate these manifestations,
Indovazin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that relieves swelling and pain, accelerates healing,
Heparin ointment is an anticoagulant that accelerates the resorption of blood clots. In our situation, internal bleeding ends with the formation of clots, which will dissolve faster with the use of this remedy,
Balm “Rescuer” is another good medicine that will eliminate blue spots that have formed under the skin,
Creams with leech extracts - if you manage to find these drugs, they will quickly help in resolving hematomas.

In addition to local treatment, you can use blood thinners, vitamins and dietary supplements. The complex effect allows you to get rid of massage complications and stabilize the skin condition.

Folk recipes

Traditional medicine will also help get rid of subcutaneous hematomas. In most cases, recipes are based on herbal ingredients or products that can be easily found at home. In most cases, all products are applied externally, absorbed through the skin and have a therapeutic effect on broken down red blood cells.

Expert opinion!
Traditional methods of eliminating bruises after a massage should be used as an addition to treatment with pharmaceutical drugs - in this case, the therapeutic effect is significantly increased.

Honey massage

Honey massage is considered a type of anti-cellulite procedure. The idea is that a certain amount of honey is poured onto the back or other surface, after which it is allowed to harden.

The masseur applies patting actions, the skin sticks to the hands, and a certain vacuum effect is created. For this reason, the appearance of bruises after a back massage is considered absolutely normal; you should not be afraid of it. It is more important to be sure that there is no allergic reaction to honey, which is more dangerous to health than small hematomas.

What to do if bruises appear after a massage

So, we sorted out the bruises after the massage. What measures should be taken if bluish spots appear on the body after the procedure? The answer here is quite simple and easy. First of all, you need to understand what a bruise is. This is when the blood coming out of the damaged vascular bed is visible through the skin. You can speed up the process of disappearance of hematomas after massages with the help of various warming compresses.

Special anti-inflammatory ointments also help. If you do not want to use treatment for bruises, you can leave everything as is, and they will resolve on their own. But be prepared for the fact that this process may take longer.

If you do not like the massage or the way the massage therapist performs the procedure, you can always contact another specialist for this service. Your body should exclusively benefit from a massage session, and not suffer.

Vacuum massage

The use of vacuum in massage techniques is a fairly popular practice. For this procedure, special jars are used that stick to areas of the skin, creating negative pressure inside themselves.

Bruises should appear after a vacuum massage; their absence can be considered a deviation from the norm, or you can begin to doubt the professional training of the massage therapist. Thanks to the effect of cupping, blood flow to the treated areas is stimulated, droplets of blood can escape through the capillaries, but the walls of the vessels remain intact and are not injured.

This procedure can significantly improve metabolism at the cellular level and stabilize blood flow. In the fight against cellulite, vacuum cups can become indispensable when manual massage techniques fail.

How to eliminate unwanted bruises?

Naturally, bruises are not only painful, but also aesthetically unsightly. Women will first of all wonder how to get rid of them without interrupting the course of therapeutic massage itself.

There are several basic tips that will help quickly eliminate bruises after a massage:

For several hours after the procedure, be sure to apply dry ice to the hematoma. This will stop the bruise from spreading and speed up its healing.
The next day after the procedure, it is permissible to use special heating of injured areas.
It is recommended to take Ascorutin regularly if you have problems with vascular fragility.
Medicinal ointments are considered popular in the fight against hematomas, the action of which is aimed at improving blood flow in the area of injury. Today, such products can be purchased at any pharmacy at an affordable price.

What to do if

If bruises remain after the massage and nothing was done about them, they will be visible on the body for 10 to 30 days. The following procedures will help dissolve blood clots faster:

Immediately after the procedure, apply ice to the damaged area. It will help stop its spread.
Special ointments with vitamin K, which act very quickly, will help get rid of hematomas. The pain goes away within three days.
Ointments based on arnica and bodyaga, as well as heparin. Effectively used by athletes and dancers.
Bruise massage.
Warming vodka compress: apply soda soaked in water and cover with a cloth.

To get rid of dark spots, you can take Ascorutin, which has a positive effect on the circulatory system. Because one of the reasons for the appearance of blue spots is weakness of the vascular system.

Some patients believe that the more bruises, the more effective the procedure. But this is not so, and can only speak of the unprofessionalism of the massage therapist. Make sure your session is performed by an experienced chiropractor, and be sure to treat the damage after the session.

Anti-cellulite massage is one of the most effective methods of combating the hated “orange peel”. But this method leaves behind unpleasant reminders in the form of numerous bruises. Some people consider this a dangerous phenomenon, but there is no need to worry. This reaction of the body is normal and can be easily eliminated.

Traditional recipes against bruises

Traditional medicine is also ready to offer several ways to combat unwanted bruising. Even though bruises after a massage are normal, it is necessary to help the body cope with them.

There are many folk remedies, only a few of them are listed below:

Apply a leaf of cabbage, plantain or banana peel to the hematoma several times a day.
The use of medical iodine is widely popular; in current cases, it is recommended to draw a “mesh”.
The gruel (finely ground mass) of onions helps to cope with bruises, despite the pungent odor.
Compresses made from potato starch diluted with water are considered effective.

Which way to deal with unexpected and unwanted bruises to choose is an individual decision. If in doubt, it is best to consult a massage therapist or doctor who will help you choose the best means.

How to avoid bruising?

It is almost impossible to completely avoid the appearance of hematomas, but it is possible to reduce their intensity and number. To do this, you must follow the recommendations of specialists.

Measures to prevent bruises:

The skin and muscles must be properly prepared for the procedure. It is necessary to warm up properly with special rubbing, or take a hot shower immediately before the massage.
Use massage oils that contain lemon or orange oils. Such agents have a strengthening effect on the walls of blood vessels.
It is mandatory to inform the massage therapist about the peculiarities of your own health. In such situations, a professional will select a more gentle procedure technique.

The appearance of bruises with different types of massage

The main goal of the procedure is to stimulate drainage and blood circulation. The procedure is aimed at activating metabolism in adipose tissue. Traditional therapeutic massage is aimed at kneading muscle tissue, while during the anti-cellulite procedure the main effect is on the subcutaneous fat layer.

There are several types of this procedure, each of which has certain characteristics:

Manual massage - the impact is carried out using palms, fingers, and sometimes fists,
Hardware massage - in this case, body treatment is carried out using special devices.

The appearance of bruises from anti-cellulite massage depends on the type of procedure. Each procedure has certain features and side effects.

However, experts say that severe hematomas should not appear.

Cupping massage

This procedure is also called vacuum. The appearance of small hematomas after such a procedure is normal. However, it is worth considering that these are not ordinary hematomas. During suction of the can, different pressures are created in the subcutaneous area. As a result, fluid from an area of lower pressure enters an area of high pressure.

Be sure to read: Causes of water or edematous cellulite. Treatment methods for the problem

This process is not accompanied by a violation of the integrity of blood vessels. However, blood seeps through their walls and penetrates into the intercellular zone. This leads to the formation of red spots on the surface of the dermis. The flow of blood and lymph from deep structures depends on the degree of suction of the can.

First of all, the effects of massage are on insufficiently elastic vessels, around which there are stagnant processes.

It can be concluded that when performing cupping procedures, small subcutaneous hemorrhages are a normal option. During subsequent sessions, blood flow returns to normal. Thanks to this, there are much fewer hematomas.

Manual massage

During this procedure, fat deposits are crushed and broken down. Manipulation has a lymphatic drainage effect and copes with stagnation of lymph and fluid. The procedure should be entrusted to an experienced specialist who is familiar with the location of lymph nodes and vessels. Otherwise, massage will only harm your health.

Bruises and severe discomfort during manual massage indicate a violation of the technique of the procedure. A correctly performed session should not lead to damage to blood vessels. On the contrary, it strengthens their structure, activates blood flow, collagen and elastin synthesis.

Honey massage

During the procedure, honey should be applied to problem areas. After which these zones are kneaded. During such a massage, the specialist’s palm temporarily sticks to the body, after which it abruptly comes off.

At this moment, a microvacuum is formed in the subcutaneous tissue. This leads to vasodilation and stimulation of blood circulation in the problem area. Sometimes blood vessels rupture, causing minor hemorrhages.

The formation of small bruises is normal and does not pose a health hazard. They dissolve without consequences for the dermis and activate blood circulation.

An experienced massage therapist should monitor the tension of the dermis and the patient’s sensations. To minimize the likelihood of subcutaneous formations, honey is mixed with essential oils. It is best to use citrus products for this purpose.

Reviews and opinions

Massage is a procedure that can not only relieve fatigue and cellulite, but also have a truly healing effect on the human body. The opinions of experts boil down to one main point: the massage therapist must have a medical education and have appropriate training, only in this case the procedure will bring benefit and not harm.

Reviews from patients and ordinary people are different; for some, massage became a salvation, for others the procedure turned out to be painful. It is difficult to find a unified approach; everything is too individual.

If a massage is prescribed for medical reasons, then it is best not to neglect the doctor’s recommendations. With a high degree of probability, the procedure will help to recover faster from injury, improve metabolism and blood flow in tissues.

A competent specialist will always be able to clearly explain the benefits of massage, without hiding possible side effects in the form of bruises on the body. You can put up with temporary inconveniences if it benefits your health.