Why do masseuse burp during massage?

September 21, 2025 •

4 min read

Over a decade ago, a study indicated that up to 20% of people experience increased bodily noises like burping during massage due to physical relaxation. The simple scientific reasons behind this phenomenon can help demystify the question, “Why do masseuse burp during massage?” for both clients and therapists.

Quick Summary

A masseuse burping during a massage is typically a result of their own body's natural digestive processes, physical exertion, or even passive relaxation, not a mythical transfer of a client's illness or energy.

Key Points

Natural Digestive Process: A masseuse's burping is usually caused by their own digestive system reacting to physical exertion and normal food intake during their workday.
Physiological Response to Exertion: The core muscle engagement and specific body positions required for a massage can compress the abdomen, causing the release of trapped air.
Relaxation Response Activation: The parasympathetic nervous system, responsible for 'rest and digest' functions, can activate in the calming massage environment, stimulating the therapist's digestion.
Debunking Myths: The belief that a therapist burps due to a transfer of a client's 'bad energy' or illness is not scientifically supported and is often a cultural misconception.
Common to Both Parties: Burping and other bodily noises are also common for clients during a massage, for similar reasons related to deep relaxation.
Professional Etiquette: Good therapists manage these natural occurrences discreetly, maintaining a peaceful and professional atmosphere.

Understanding the Physiological Reasons Behind Burping

Just like any other human, a massage therapist's body performs normal physiological functions throughout the day. Burping is simply the release of gas from the upper digestive tract. While it might seem awkward in the serene setting of a massage, it's essential to understand that there are several normal, non-mystical reasons for this to happen to a massage therapist. Ignoring cultural myths, these reasons are rooted in biology and physical mechanics.

Natural Bodily Functions

Massage therapists are active and engaged during a session. Unlike the client, who is relaxing, the therapist is in a constant state of movement and physical exertion. This can affect their digestive system in several ways:

Food and drink intake: A therapist’s busy schedule might mean eating quickly between clients or drinking certain beverages that can cause gas. A new appointment starting soon after lunch, for instance, could mean a still-active digestive system is at play.
Diaphragm movement: The diaphragm is a large muscle located below the lungs. As a massage therapist breathes deeply and engages their core muscles to maintain leverage and apply pressure, they are also affecting the movement of their diaphragm. This movement can sometimes dislodge trapped air in the stomach, causing a burp.
Positioning and exertion: The physical positions and movements required for deep tissue work or other techniques can cause internal pressure. Engaging the core muscles to stabilize oneself while exerting force can compress the air within the body, leading to gas release. This is a completely natural, human function.

The Relaxation Factor

It's a misconception that only the client relaxes during a massage. While a therapist is working, their body may also respond to the relaxing atmosphere and their own rhythmic movements. The parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), also known as the "rest and digest" system, can activate during prolonged, steady activity. As the therapist settles into a rhythm, their own PNS can get stimulated, which can increase intestinal activity and cause borborygmi (stomach rumbling) or burping.

Common Misconceptions vs. Scientific Reality

A common myth, especially in certain cultures, is that a masseuse burps because they are releasing the client's negative energy or 'wind'. It's crucial to distinguish between folklore and professional understanding. Massage therapy is grounded in physiology, not mysticism. Repetitive pressure and contact with massage oils on the palms might stimulate a therapist's own system, but there is no scientific basis for the idea of illness transfer.

Comparing Massage Myths and Facts


Aspect	Myth	Scientific Reality
Reason for burping	Transfer of 'bad energy' or 'wind' from client.	Natural digestive functions, physical exertion, and nervous system activation.
Therapist's experience	Feeling ill or nauseous from absorbing client's 'sickness'.	Experiencing normal human bodily responses, such as increased digestion or physical strain.
Efficacy of treatment	Burping signifies that the massage is effectively releasing negative forces.	A quality massage is measured by the client's improved well-being, not the therapist's bodily noises.

What This Means for Clients and Therapists

For clients, understanding the reality behind a masseuse's burp can help alleviate any awkwardness and ensure a better experience. It is a sign that the therapist's body is functioning normally, even while they are focused on your treatment. For therapists, a clear understanding of these physiological processes can help them communicate with clients and debunk myths, strengthening the professional nature of their practice. A knowledgeable therapist can help put a client at ease if they seem concerned about any of the noises they hear.

Professional Etiquette and Communication

While bodily noises are natural, professionalism is key. Therapists are trained to manage these occurrences with discretion. This might include a quick, quiet apology or simply ignoring it to maintain a peaceful atmosphere. Open and honest communication is important, and a professional therapist will always focus on the client's comfort and experience, not their own bodily responses.

When to Consider a Change in Routine

For the therapist, frequent, disruptive burping might be a sign to re-evaluate their eating habits or core engagement during sessions. Choosing easily digestible, healthy foods and maintaining proper posture can minimize such occurrences. As with any strenuous physical job, a massage therapist must pay close attention to their own body's needs to ensure longevity and consistent performance.

A Complementary Perspective: The Client's Experience

It is also worth noting that clients themselves often burp during a massage. This is because as the body shifts from a stressed 'fight or flight' state (sympathetic nervous system) to a relaxed 'rest and digest' state (parasympathetic nervous system), the digestive system becomes more active. Trapped gas can be released as the diaphragm and abdominal muscles relax, making burping or gurgling a common and expected side effect of relaxation for both client and therapist. The Association of Bodywork & Massage Professionals (ABMP) provides excellent resources on this topic, explaining that such noises are a sign that a client is truly unwinding and experiencing the benefits of the massage.

Conclusion: A Normal Human Experience

In summary, the phenomenon of a masseuse burping during a massage is not a mysterious or spiritual event. It is a normal, human physiological response rooted in digestion and physical mechanics. This natural reaction is often triggered by physical exertion, core engagement, or the therapist's own relaxation responses. Dismissing the unfounded myths and embracing the scientific explanation fosters a more comfortable and professional environment for both client and therapist, allowing everyone to focus on the true goal of the session: relaxation and healing.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it's not strictly rude, it's generally best to let it pass. The burp is a natural bodily function, and drawing attention to it may make the therapist uncomfortable. Rest assured, it has no negative implications for your health or the quality of your massage.

No, this is a myth. Burping is a physical, not spiritual, phenomenon. There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that a therapist can absorb a client's negative energy or illness. The most likely cause is a normal digestive process.

Repeated burping is likely a benign, physiological response for the therapist, perhaps related to what they ate or drank that day. It's not a cause for concern regarding your treatment, as it's a reflection of their own body's processes.

Therapists can take steps to minimize it, such as eating smaller meals and hydrating properly, but it is not always possible to suppress completely. Like any human, a therapist cannot always prevent natural bodily functions.

This is very common and a sign that you are deeply relaxed. When your body enters the 'rest and digest' state, your digestive system becomes more active and can release trapped gas. Your therapist expects this and is not bothered by it.

Yes, many therapists acknowledge that occasional bodily noises, for both themselves and clients, are part of the job. It is considered a normal, if sometimes awkward, occurrence in the practice of massage therapy.

The presence or absence of burping has no bearing on the quality of a massage. A good massage is defined by the therapist's skill, their attentiveness to your needs, and your overall sense of relaxation and relief, not their digestive activity.