Have you ever felt dizzy after a massage? People usually get a massage to relax, perform better in sports, help to rehabilitate an injury, or even prevent injury.
No one goes into a massage with the goal of feeling dizzy afterward, so what gives? What does it mean when you feel dizzy or lightheaded after a massage?
Fortunately, feeling dizzy or lightheaded after a massage is a common occurrence and generally not a cause for concern. Nonetheless, there are measures you can take to reduce dizziness before or after a massage, minimizing this unwelcome side effect.
Causes of Feeling Dizzy After a Massage
So, why does dizziness happen after a massage? Is it something to be concerned about?
Generally speaking, no. Feeling dizzy after a massage is completely normal. There are a few reasons why you might feel dizzy after a massage, some of which are not concerning, but others can pose health hazards and should be taken seriously.
Keep reading to discover which causes of lightheadedness are actually reasons for concern!
9 Potential Causes of Lightheadedness After a Massage
1. Postural Hypotension
Postural hypotension happens when you stand up from lying down or sitting. This means that postural hypotension can happen anytime you stand up from sitting or lying down—not just when you’re getting off a massage table.Postural hypotension is a type of low blood pressure that makes you feel lightheaded, dizzy, or faint. Other side effects that can accompany postural hypotension are:
- Weakness
- Blurred vision
- Nausea
- Confusion
2. Low Blood Pressure
As we just learned, another term for low blood pressure is “hypotension.” If your low blood pressure is more chronic (not due to lying down and standing up again), and you feel lightheaded after a massage, it may be because you haven’t eaten recently, or maybe you have other causes of low blood pressure.If you have medical reasons for having low blood pressure and are aware of it before going into your massage, be sure to inform your massage therapist of your condition.
Telling a massage therapist about your low blood pressure will give them the proper information they need so they can encourage you to take your time getting off the table after a massage to give your blood pressure time to readjust.
3. Dehydration or Heat Stroke
If you are suffering from heat stroke or dehydration, you bet dizziness is going to be part of those side effects.There is a reason your massage therapist offers you water after a massage. Massage strokes get fluids moving in your body, and drinking water aids in that process. It’s like taking a drink of water after a meal—it helps things move through your system.
If you’re already dehydrated, then it will be difficult for your body fluids to move properly and will get stuck without proper hydration to move them through your system. So, if you’re dehydrated before a massage, you’re likely to feel dizzy afterward. Don’t worry, once you are properly hydrated, the dizziness should go away.
Word of caution: Don’t chug water if you are severely dehydrated as this will stress your system. Instead, take frequent sips of water to allow your body to properly integrate hydration into all of your body’s systems.
4. Anaemia
Anaemia is another term for iron deficiency, and it is a common condition among women. Lightheadedness or dizziness can be a symptom of anemia.Other symptoms of anaemia are:
- Easily fatigued
- Rapid heart rate
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty concentrating
- Pale skin
- Leg cramps
- Insomnia
With that said, massage is safe even if you’re anemic. Massage therapy won’t make anemia worse.
5. Emotional Stress
Surprisingly, emotional stress like depression or anxiety can compromise a person’s ability to cope with dizziness. If you’ve simply had a particularly stressful week, you can be more susceptible to feeling lightheaded after a massage. Even so, a stressful week is a perfect reason to receive a massage! Massage has many benefits, with relaxation being one of them.6. Heart Problems
Poor blood circulation due to heart problems is a major cause of dizziness, and if you are aware that you have a heart condition, you should absolutely tell your massage therapist. Not to worry, depending on your heart condition, you can most likely still get a massage. Telling your massage therapist about your will allows them to adapt their techniques to better suit your needs.7. Medicines Prescriptions
This is another important thing to tell your massage therapist about. Depending on what medications you are taking, it can contraindicate a massage. Massage contraindications are things that disqualify someone from receiving a massage. This can be for the safety of the client, the therapist, or both.
For example, if you are currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment, there is a specific timeline in which you should not receive a massage.
Chemotherapy can seep through the skin, so if you receive a massage immediately after receiving treatment, you could pass on some of the chemos to your massage therapist! With that said, if you have cancer, massage can actually benefit you. A light-pressure, relaxation massage is safe for all stages of cancer.
It’s likely that you’ll be feeling too sick to receive a massage after chemotherapy treatment. However, if you are undergoing treatment and have medical clearance from your physician to get a massage, your therapist may choose to wear gloves to stay on the safe side.
8. Eating Disorders
If you suffer from an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, you might be more prone to feeling dizzy after a massage. In fact, you’re prone to feeling dizzy in general because your body isn’t getting the proper fuel that it needs.There have been studies that show that massage therapy helped to decrease the level of body dissatisfaction in clients with eating disorders. We think this is an amazing benefit of massage!
9. Toxic Shock Syndrome
If you have toxic shock syndrome, you’re likely feeling the effects long before you go in for a massage.The symptoms of toxic shock syndrome are:
- Low blood pressure
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Confusion
- Muscle aches
- Redness of your eyes
- Headaches
- Seizures
Other Things You Should Know:
- What to do if you’re dizzy after a massage: Slowly sit up, swing your legs over the table, and sit there for a few moments before standing up completely.
- Is it safe to drive after a massage? If you feel dizzy after a massage, wait until you return to normal before driving home.
- Can I take Dramamine before a massage to reduce dizziness? Generally, it is not recommended to take any over-the-counter medications before a massage.
Takeaway - Dizziness After A Massage Is Normal
Indeed, the causes of dizziness after a massage is not necessarily directly linked to the massage itself but can be exacerbated by it. This is because massage techniques stimulate the circulation of blood and lymphatic fluids. If your body is not in an optimal condition to handle the movement of these fluids, it can lead to feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness.If you’re looking for a massage centre that provides you with the best massage services with the best prices, Winston Hills Herbal and Massage Centre is your right place. Our licensed massage therapists do Swedish, sports massage, deep tissue massage, and more! Winston Hills Herbal and Massage are owned and operated by the sole practitioner Frank Mammoliti. Frank Mammoliti is a professional massage therapist and is a member of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society and his remedial massage service is accepted by most private health funds.
In addition to providing excellent massage therapy, we are excited to announce that Winston Hills Herbal and Massage Centre has now been integrated with Hicaps! This integration allows for a more streamlined payment process for our clients. So, if you're ready to experience the benefits of massage therapy, book your appointment today and enjoy the convenience of our Hicaps integration. Don't wait any longer to take care of your physical and mental health!
Contact us now and book an appointment:
☎️ 0407 192 708
✉️ [email protected]
📌 43 Langdon Rd Winston Hills Baulkham Hills, Sydney NSW 2153.
