Why You Might Still Feel Sore After a Relaxing Massage?

You did the thing. You carved out time, turned off notifications, and settled into your Aescape massage session; maybe a 30-minute Upper & Mid Back Focused Relief or the Total Back & Glutes Relief (oof, yes please). You walked out feeling like a warm cinnamon roll. Bliss.

Then… the next morning, your back feels like you spent the night sleeping in a pretzel pose. What gives?

Let’s talk about it. Because yes, it’s normal. And no, it doesn’t mean your massage “didn’t work.”

Wait, isn’t massage supposed to make me feel less sore?

Totally fair question. And the short answer? It still does.

Massage (especially one like Aescape that’s designed to support your wellness routine and ease stress), helps your body let go of tension it’s been hoarding like an emotional dragon. But sometimes, letting go takes a minute.

Think of it like a deep stretch after sitting all day. It feels amazing in the moment, but your muscles are still processing the movement afterward. That post-massage soreness is often your body waking back up to itself.

So… why does soreness happen?

There are a few totally-not-weird reasons:

• Your muscles had stuff to say. If you’ve been sitting, slouching, lifting, or just existing (because, hi, life), your body may be holding on to tension in subtle ways.

• You released some built-up pressure. When that tension finally gets some attention, muscles can react by feeling a bit sore as they recalibrate.

• It’s part of recovery. Especially if you’re pairing massage with movement (like your workouts or long desk days), your body is in repair mode. Massage supports that, but it can come with some tenderness, like after a good gym day.

What can I do about the soreness?

Good news: it usually fades within a day or two. In the meantime:

• Hydrate. Boring, yes, but it really helps.

• Rest. Or at least don’t go full beast-mode right after.

• Keep it moving (gently). A little walk or stretch can keep stiffness at bay.

• Book again, but listen to your body. If you're sore but craving more, maybe try a shorter session like the 15-minute Express Relief will suffice.

TL;DR: Soreness is normal. It means something shifted.

Our massages aren’t just for “ahhh” moments (though you’ll definitely get those). They’re designed to support real life. Which means your body might respond like it just got the attention it’s been lowkey begging for.

If you're building a wellness routine that actually sticks, soreness isn’t the enemy. It’s just your body saying: “Hey, thanks for noticing me.”

Let us know you enjoyed this read by booking a massage and using code BLOG for $10 off your first session (30 minutes and up!). Wanna share your thoughts? We’d love to hear from you. Give us a shout at @LetsAescape on social!