22/08/2025
Bruising After Massage – a (not so wee) note.
Did you know?
While some soreness or mild redness after massage is normal, visible bruising should not be something you experience regularly. Massage is designed to ease tension and aid recovery — not cause injury.
Why Bruising Can Happen
Bruising after massage is uncommon but possible. It can be linked to:
•Pressure applied too deeply, too quickly
•Age, thin skin, or fragile blood vessels
• Medications such as blood thinners
• Health conditions affecting clotting (Integrative Healthcare, NHS)
Occasional, mild bruising after a deep tissue session may not be harmful, but frequent or unexplained bruising should never be ignored.
My Approach as a Therapist
In remedial, sports and deep tissue massage, communication is everything. I always work with a pain scale of 1–10, and we should never go above a 7— and that’s your 7, not mine.
Before applying deeper techniques, I:
✔️ Warm up the area
✔️ Encourage circulation (erythema)
✔️ Build gradually, so your muscles release tension safely
Massage should work towards:
✨ Relieving pain
✨ Improving mobility
✨ Supporting recovery — without leaving you bruised
When to Seek Advice
It’s best to check in with your GP if you notice:
•Large, painful, or frequent bruises
•Bruises appearing for no clear reason
•Other symptoms such as unusual bleeding or fatigue
The NHS advises that easy bruising can sometimes be linked to health conditions or medication side effects. It’s always better to get checked.
A Note on Cupping
The marks left by cupping are not bruises. They’re caused by suction drawing blood to the surface to improve circulation and healing. These painless circular marks fade within days and are a normal, expected effect of the therapy.
Finally...
Massage should feel supportive, effective, and safe.
If you ever feel discomfort, speak up — a good therapist will always listen and adapt.
