Pain is never normal, and no massage therapist should accept pain as part of their massage work. Other therapists believe that there is a 'right' and a 'wrong' way to do massage. This attitude leads them to continue to do techniques that hurt them in the belief that these techniques constitute the 'right' way to work. It is essential to give yourself permission to say 'no' to anything that may cause you to be injured. There is no such thing as a 'good' massage and a 'bad' massage.
Massage is an art as well as a science.
Accepting that there is no one right or good way of doing it gives you the freedom to work with your body's own strengths and weaknesses instead of against them, which will help you prevent injury. The primary cause of these disorders is thought to be overuse, or using a part of the body beyond the point where it can function normally and remain healthy. The most common injury sites are the thumb, the wrist, and the forearm. This chronic injury is characterized by gradual onset. Changing technique, trying new techniques, or even emotional stress can cause an onset of symptoms.