Question about massage?

ok, so I went for a massage in NYC a few days ago at this place that charged $40 for the hour; yet getting part of my upper back massaged was pretty painful, and in the days afterward I noticed soreness/redness and some bruising on my upper back. Question is, is that to be expected with massages, or did the massage therapist not know what she was doing?

I agree for the most part with the previous answers - bruising is NEVER acceptable. However, I would like to add that some therapists give hard massages because clients want to be hurt; they're numb and they want to feel something. I am a massage therapist and I am outraged by the numerous stories like thsese. There are much better ways to get feeling back than by hurting the client. Some possibilities are that the therapist: (a)believes massages should feel that way, (b)is unaware of how much pressure he/she is giving, (c)was trained that way/ poorly trained. It is the responsibility of the massage therapist to check in with their clients (especially new ones) and also the clients responsibility to voice their needs. If the therapist does not respond, go to someone else. Please enquire about the session before you book it. Be sure to ask what kind of pressure will be given and the therapist's philosophies regarding treating the body and client control of the session.
One note that I must add is that true deep tissue, by definition is making a structural change in the body. It actually has nothing to do with pressure! It's sadly become an all too common misnomer for hard massage or deep pressure and stories like these don't make it any easier.

She was probably giving you a deep tissue massage and if you didn't say that something was hurting you, she couldn't know that it was not relaxing and/or comfortable.

My fiance prefers a much lighter massage than I do but you should not experience pain while receiving a massage.

With that said, you should also not assume the person giving you a massage can read your mind. If you are not enjoying the massage, say something.

BRUISING?? Thats not normal!


Either you have some pretty serious pre-existing medical condition... or your massage therapist was having a bad day (happens to all of us...)

she should of asked you if you feel any discomfort, always speak up in these situations, because you don't want to cause injury. but like the first one said, it was probably deep tissue and you should of told her thats too sore. but yeah she should of asked you first as a true massuse..(sp?)

I've gotten soreness and bruising in that area too. I have extremely tight shoulders and I bruise easily. The guy I see gives very deep massages, but if I yelp he'll ease off.

I'd say, if you felt better despite the bruising, it was a good massage; if you didn't, it wasn't a good massage. Some people really like the deep tissue massages, and some don't.

I can't believe you got an hour-long massage for only $40! I'd go back and talk with the massage therapist beforehand. Too bad I live in California.