Massage/Stretching petechiae?

Just a general question here, is it normal to get petechiae (red spots) in some areas where you have massaged or stretched? I noticed when doing some graston technique work that I have these on my left bicep and have noticed them before on my lats the day after german hangs.

Is it just that I have broken up tissue in the area or something like that? It is never sore, I am just curious

Thanks,

Mic

Are you taking ten minutes after the massage or ten days?

Anything where you use an instrument will have a greater chance of leaving a mark.

Slizz, our resident master of all trades has some experience with Graston and i seem to recall he said it could leave some marks, hopefully he will reply.

It's normal.

Listen to what he says at about 1:25.

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Gua Sha is very similar to Graston Technique.

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Right, thanks. Actually this is quite good because it shows I have quite some scar tissue in my left bicep. I'm still having elbow problems in my left arm so hopefully I have found one of the sources of that problem.

Considering I get this on my lats just from doing german hangs I must have some scar tissue on them too.

mic_skelly said:

Just a general question here, is it normal to get petechiae (red spots) in some areas where you have massaged or stretched? I noticed when doing some graston technique work that I have these on my left bicep and have noticed them before on my lats the day after german hangs.

Is it just that I have broken up tissue in the area or something like that? It is never sore, I am just curious

Thanks,

Mic

That is normal and to be expected for a while with graston-type work and heavy massage work, at least the first 3 treatments and perhaps several more. You're breaking up stuff and restoring lymph flow and mobilizing toxins all at once, so you should expect to see those marks. Eventually you will not, especially if you go into once or twice a week maintenance mode and just work from your shoulders to your hands all over the arm. You'll get to where you are just red like a sunburn for an hour and then it's gone, no deep red stuff.