Confronting Common Massage Myths

​I’ve been a rehabilitative massage therapist for 14 years now, and over that time, I’ve encountered many myths surrounding massage. I thought it might be helpful to dispel some of the most common myths I come across in my practice. I often find that these myths hinder people from allowing themselves to participate in massage therapy, so I hope you find this information both educational and eye-opening.
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​Myth 1: Massage is a luxury and only for relxation.

​When many people think of massage, they often think of a luxury spa first and foremost. While that is definitely a lovely type of massage, that is not the only kind. Several clinical and orthopedic massage modalities incorporate assessment, goals, and treatment plans. In my experience, many people are often shocked at how beneficial these types of treatments can be to their health, wellness, and general quality of life.

Myth 2: Massage is “new age” and has no basis in science.

​I have come across a few people who have gotten the idea that massage is “woo-woo” (a pejorative term used to describe magical, spiritual, or pseudoscientific ideas). However, there have been several studies that have been done that have found evidence to support the many benefits of massage. According to some studies, it has been known to help with chronic pain, post-surgical or post-injury pain, stress and anxiety, as well as other physical and mental health challenges. 
If you’re interested in the details of any of those findings, I found a great blog post that describes several of these and links case studies that support those claims here.

Myth 3: “No pain, no gain.”

One of the most interesting things I’ve noticed as a massage therapist is how often this belief comes up. I even believed it at one point, and for the first several years of my career I operated from this mindset. I learned with both experience and further education that it’s not always beneficial to try to “force” the body’s muscles into submission. In fact, sometimes it can do more harm than good. Now, some of us do receive a lot of felt benefits from a massage therapist that can (“finally!” I’ve heard clients say) dig into those bothersome achy spots with enough pressure to do the job. I’ve been amused to hear from a few of my clients that they chose me specifically because it says “heavy-handed” in my bio. But massage doesn’t have to hurt to be effective. Deep tissue doesn’t always have to mean deep pressure. While some discomfort can be normal, it should almost never be too painful to tolerate. The massage won’t work if your nervous system feels under attack and is trying to tighten, squirm away, or if you find you’re holding your breath. If that’s happening, it’s too much for your muscles to handle. Please don’t be afraid to speak up during your session. I want to ensure you feel comfortable, and invite you to let me know what amount of pressure feels good and what feels like too much.

​Hopefully, this clears up some common misconceptions about massage therapy. If you’re interested in what I do, check out the rest of my website. And if you’re ready to book an appointment with me, you can do so by clicking here.

Krystal Cade, Certified Massage Therapist (#34647)