You've just had a great massage – and instead of feeling refreshed and energized, you want to go straight home and go to bed. Is something wrong? Absolutely not. Feeling tired after a massage is completely normal – and it's actually a good sign.
The nervous system shifts gears
The most common cause of fatigue after a massage is that the parasympathetic nervous system is heavily activated during the treatment. When the body goes from high sympathetic activity (stress, readiness) to deep parasympathetic calm, it can feel like a wave of fatigue – because the body is finally allowed to relax.
The body is actively working on recovery
Massage initiates a number of physiological processes that require energy:
- Waste substances that have accumulated in the muscle tissue are transported away via the lymphatic and blood systems.
- Inflammatory processes are suppressed and the tissue repairs itself.
- Trigger points that have been active for a long time are released – which can cause a short-term increase in waste products locally
- Hormone levels adjust – cortisol decreases, serotonin increases
All of these are energy-consuming processes. It's no wonder that the body wants to rest. Read more about what happens in the body after a massage .
Dehydration can increase fatigue
Massage increases the turnover of fluids in the tissues and can contribute to mild dehydration. Dehydration causes fatigue. Therefore, it is important to drink plenty of water after the treatment – preferably 1–2 liters during the rest of the day.
What should you do?
Listen to your body. Fatigue after a massage is not a problem – it's your body that's working. Let it do its job. Ready for your next treatment? Book an appointment at Triggerpunkt Studio and give your body the rest it deserves.
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