Recent posts on social media have sparked concern among people who notice flu‑like symptoms after a massage. Terms like “massage flu” or “adjustment hangover” have been used to describe aches, fatigue, mild headaches and a general feeling of being under the weather that can last from one to two days.
What the professionals say
W. Zach Smith, a Seattle‑based physical therapist and co‑founder of HIDEF Physical Therapy, told Fox News Digital that he has heard numerous patients describe this phenomenon. “The idea of this has been around a long time but usually described as fatigue and soreness,” Smith explained. “The flu part of the name I have heard more recently.”
Smith notes that when a therapist applies a lot of pressure to a muscle for an extended period, the tissue can essentially bruise itself. This bruising triggers a mild inflammatory response, which is the body’s natural way of beginning the healing process. “Any time you go in and apply a lot of pressure to a muscle for a long period of time, it can essentially bruise the tissue,” he said.
Chiropractor perspective
Drew Voelsch, a chiropractor at Forza Chiropractic in Illinois, echoed Smith’s observations. He has also heard patients refer to the reaction as “massage flu” or an “adjustment hangover.” “The symptoms are real,” Voelsch told the outlet, pointing to soreness, fatigue and mild headaches that may last 24 to 48 hours. He added that the label is largely a social‑media creation.
Both experts pushed back against the popular claim that a massage releases toxins from the body. “This is a myth,” Smith said. “There is no basis or science behind this.” Voelsch agreed, noting that the liver and kidneys are the organs responsible for waste removal.
How to reduce discomfort
For those new to massage or who experience these symptoms, Smith recommends asking the therapist for less pressure or a shorter session and gradually building up to deeper or longer treatments. Drinking water, eating a light snack before the appointment, and moving gently afterward can also help mitigate soreness.
Voelsch added that staying hydrated and avoiding strenuous activity immediately after a session may lessen the intensity of any post‑massage aches. He emphasized that mild soreness is typically not a cause for concern, but persistent or new pain warrants a medical evaluation.
When to seek medical advice
Both professionals advise contacting a doctor if symptoms last longer than about 72 hours or if they include fever, sharp or radiating pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, bruising, or faintness. “If you are having a new, unexplained pain that is persistent, that would be a good time to call your doctor,” Smith said.
Overall, the consensus among the experts is that the so‑called “massage flu” is a normal, short‑term response to tissue pressure and inflammation, not evidence of toxin release. Adjusting pressure levels and staying hydrated can help most clients enjoy the benefits of massage without lingering discomfort.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
