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Q: I had a massage nearly a week ago and still feel very sore. Is that normal?

A: No. Some soreness the first day or two post-massage is common, but a week of pain is not. Prolonged achiness usually results when the therapist uses excessive pressure early on, before the muscles are warmed up, says Claudia Terlizzi, a sports-massage therapist in New York City. It's sometimes difficult for you to know what's too much for you, so be sure to speak up anytime you're uncomfortable. If you're sore afterward, Terlizzi recommends soaking in an Epsom salt bath, eating a high-protein meal to help rebuild muscle and collagen fibers and icing tender spots. Most important, choose a qualified therapist. Find one through the American Massage Therapy Association's website, www.amtamassage.org.

Lisa Callahan, M.D., is the author of The Fitness Factor (The Lyons Press). Send your questions to drlisa@self.com.