27/08/2026
How do your muscles recover after a massage?
During a massage, pressure and movement are applied to the muscles and surrounding tissues. This can temporarily increase blood flow to the area and reduce muscle tension, allowing the muscle fibres to move and function more freely.
Afterwards, your body continues to respond to the treatment. The nervous system adjusts to the reduced muscle tension, while the muscles gradually return to their normal resting state. If the treatment has been deeper, your muscles may also need some time to recover from the work they've received, which is why you can sometimes feel tender the next day.
This is part of your body's normal recovery process, not a sign that the massage has damaged your muscles.
Have you ever wondered why you can feel different the day after a massage?