Have you ever been caught off guard by a surge of emotion after a massage?
It might seem strange to get emotional during or after a massage. After all, it’s supposed to be relaxing, right?
But, I’m here to tell you that not only is having an emotional release during a massage common, but it can be a positive thing.
What is emotional release?
Emotions are a powerful thing, and their physical and mental effects on us can be far stronger than we may expect.
So many of us are so busy in our daily lives that we don’t pay much attention to how we feel on an emotional level. Or, even when we do notice negative emotions like sadness, anger, or stress, we tend to push them down and suppress them rather than acknowledge or deal with them.
But ignoring our feelings doesn’t make them go away. If left unmanaged, emotions and stress can build up over time. Our body stores these emotions, which can lead to a host of physical symptoms like increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, trouble sleeping, and changes in appetite.
And our bodies can’t store feelings like this forever. An emotional release occurs when these emotions are finally expressed and discharged from our system, usually followed by a profound sense of relief. This often looks like feeling a sudden wave of emotion, sometimes during or after psychophysical activities like yoga, meditation, or massage.
The science behind emotional release
When you feel tension and anxiety, your brain releases stress hormones called cortisol and adrenaline. Think of it as your brain’s natural alarm system, alerting you to potential danger to help keep you safe. It’s your body’s way of responding to whatever stress you’re facing.
A small amount of these stress hormones isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For example, if we’re not looking where we’re walking and nearly collide with a car, these hormones are released, and we get frightened. A pounding heart, shaking hands, and shallow breathing are trauma responses, reminding us to be more careful and watch out for danger.
It’s when we feel chronically stressed that there’s an issue. When we feel continuously tense, we can develop mental and physical health conditions like anxiety, depression, insomnia, heart problems, muscle pain, memory issues, and headaches.
Sometimes, we may be so used to living with stored negative emotions that we don’t even realize our body’s under pressure. It’s only when we experience cathartic emotional release that we can recognize how much we’ve been holding on to.
Why you might feel emotional after a massage
Have you ever felt strangely emotional, or even found yourself crying after a massage? If so, you’re not alone. It’s common to experience an emotional release during a massage therapy session. Here’s why.
Physical release from massage
During a massage, a massage therapist applies pressure to work out any muscular knots or tightness in your connective tissue, releasing any physical tension you’re holding in your body.
Emotional release from massage
Physical and emotional tension are closely related, so when a massage therapist works through the pain or stress in our muscles, oftentimes, a strong emotional release can also occur.
Remember, if left unexpressed, our emotions are stored in our bodies. So, it makes sense that releasing physical tension might also lead to an emotional release.
Related: Massage & Mental Health
But how, exactly? It’s all about activating the parasympathetic nervous system.
Our parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for our ‘rest and digest’ state—the opposite of ‘fight or flight’. Ideally, this is the state we want to be in the majority of the time.
Massage stimulates the pressure receptors under the skin, which then results in increased vagal activity. In other words, massage can stimulate the vagus nerve—the part of the parasympathetic nervous system that supports emotional regulation, promoting feelings of calmness and relaxation.
When your vagus nerve is activated during a massage, your body enters a relaxed state in which you can access and process your feelings, sometimes bringing repressed emotions to the surface unexpectedly.
Remember, more pressure often leads to a more intense physical and emotional experience. Massage techniques that use more forceful pressure—like deep tissue massage or trigger point therapy—can sometimes elicit a stronger reaction. For more on deep massage techniques, read my previous blog, “Are Massages Supposed to Hurt? What You Need to Know”.
Coping with an emotional release during a massage
Crying during or after a massage is perfectly natural and nothing to be ashamed of. If anything, it’s a good sign that your massage therapist has helped you release some important stored emotions.
The therapeutic touch of massage can be a powerful healer for emotional and physical distress. Many of us don’t realize how little touch we get on a daily basis until we experience something like a massage. In fact, being touch-starved—i.e., not getting enough consensual physical touch—can actually contribute to several mental health issues like stress, anxiety, and depression.
Don’t worry about crying during or after your massage session. Most massage therapists have plenty of experience handling this type of emotional response. Good ones will create a safe and supportive environment where you can feel comfortable expressing your emotions.
That said, it’s important to practice self-care following an emotional massage experience. If possible, take the time to rest and relax after your session. Let yourself be present in your emotions rather than jumping back into work or the next thing on your to-do list.
And remember: If your massage therapist makes you feel judged in any way for crying or getting emotional, don’t hesitate to speak up or leave the session. You deserve kind, compassionate, professional care.
Experience a safe haven that puts your healing first
In my studio, your healing is my top priority, and I want you to feel completely at ease during our sessions together. That’s why I always aim to create a safe space where you feel respected, cared for, and comfortable expressing yourself, no matter what form that takes.
In my work, I don’t just deliver massage therapy sessions; I treat each person holistically with compassionate care. Our sessions will be fully personalized to suit exactly what you need. No matter what emotional or physical trauma you’re dealing with, we’ll work through it together.
If you want to take the next step in your healing journey, consider booking a massage therapy session with the option to add a Reiki session. Reiki is a Japanese healing practice rooted in Buddhist teachings from thousands of years ago. It involves energy work that can help with deep relaxation, emotional and physical healing, and overall well-being.
Book your massage today, and let’s work together to create a healing plan that works for you.
