What causes bruising after a massage?
Reference for this article was sourced from TreatnHeal
"Bruises occur when capillaries become broken and red blood cells leak;
Contusion is the proper term of a bruise, and it refers to a traumatic injury that causes capillaries to break and red blood cells to leak. But really, no actual “injury,” as we think of the term, necessarily has to occur for a bruise to appear.
Stagnant blood could currently be stored in your tissues, and releasing it through massage, stretching, or deep breathing (using your diaphragm) are good ways to allow new blood to get through.
Why is stagnant blood sticking around in your tissues? This blood can be found all throughout your body in the form of knots. A knot is lymphatic fluid that is formed in such a way so it cannot make its way to your heart, as it is waste that does not benefit your body. This fluid can build up so much in one place in your tissues that the muscle of the area can appear inflamed. Massage can break up these knots, which may cause a bruise to form. But in this case, your body benefits from what is going on underneath, as fresh blood can now get through well again." Reference links
With a deep tissue massage, it is quite normal to feel mildly bruised. In most people, this is often within two to three days after the massage.
Bruising after a deep tissues massage is the same to soreness one experiences when you start back into exercise and slightly over do it. After some time, the muscles get better. You will feel looser, rejuvenated and energetic.
Bruises are common in contact sports. Though rare, anyone can get a bruise after a massage.
It is possible to have bruises after:
1. Physio massage
This form of massage is used in the treatment of injury, disease, and deformity.
2. Deep tissue massage
This form of massage therapy aims at the deeper tissues structure of the muscle and fascia (connective tissue). Unlike the other form of massage, in this form, the pressure will generally be more intense.
3. Trigger point massage
This is a bodywork technique that involves the application of pressure to tender muscle tissue. This form of massage helps relieve pain and dysfunction in other parts of the body. It is also known as myofascial tiger point massage.
Other forms of massage that might lead to bruising would include:
Cellulite Massage
Glute massage
Hot stone massage
Traditional Chinese Fire Cupping
Myofascial Cupping
How to treat bruises from massage
Regardless of what the underlying cause of the bruise is, most will result in skin discoloration. A bruise after a massage forms when blood from damaged blood cells deep beneath the skin collects near the surface of the skin.
A fresh massage bruise will often appear reddish. The bruise can then turn blue or dark purple within a few hours or days. It can be tender and at times very painful. For most people, the pain often goes away as the color changes.
Since the skin is not broken, you do not risk having the bruise infected, but how do you treat bruises from massage?
Other than a cold compression, over the counter pain medication and elevation of the bruised area, there is no special treatment for bruises caused by massage (either deep tissue or light style massage)
Reference for this article was sourced from TreatnHeal
