OT: Are massages SUPPOSED to hurt?

I had a 'mall massage' several months ago...too painful and I never went back.

Yesterday I had a massage therapist through a chiropractor do a full body massage (in preparation for a 5K I am doing next week).

I AM IN FIERCE PAIN! 
Half of my friends say it's supposed to hurt; that I must've had 'knots' in my back that needed to be 'loosened'.

The other half say my massage was the work of sadists...lol...since I'm also bruised up (but I bruise easily anyways...)

Whose right?

I don't know if they're suppose to "hurt" or not.  I personally cannot get deep tissue massages.  I get massages every now and again and love them.  Several years ago I was seeing the same masseuse over many visits.  One time she really worked me over.  I was bruised, sore, even the touch of my bra straps on my shoulders was KILLING!!  I told her about it and after that she didn't massage as deeply.  Anyone I see, I let them know.  Some people go for those and might have no problem.  I think it's whatever you're comfortable with.  You might be sensitive to too much pressure/muscle manipulation.  Hope you're feeling better!

Some massages do hurt.  I have been told it's because massaging muscles tends to release stored toxins into our system.  In the future, you need to drink lots of water that helps with the pain.

That must've been why I had a poopfest (sorry, TMI)

Honestly, it depends on how they do it.  There are different types of massage.  Deep tissue massages  do kind of hurt.  If you don't want it to hurt, tell the massage therapist.  It may not get all the knots out, at least not in one session.  But give them feedback.

Ask for a lighter massage, but there could be another reason the massage hurts so much, you might have fibromyalgia.

I would really hate to think so, but I have family with it..so it wouldn't surprise me.

Can you be a bit more specific.

I too get a LOT of pain, when massaged right under the shoulder blade on my back, for some reason more so on the left, than the right. 
YOU?

The pain is in my shoulder blades.  I am bruised pretty much everywhere...arms, back, neck, legs, but the pain is concentrated in both shoulders.  It fees sore, especially if I hunch my back or shrug my shoulders.

Historically, my massages have all hurt. Having said that, I went to one this past Saturday and it was "heaven." He was specifically doing a "relaxation massage" instead of a deep tissue massage.

No, they are not supposed to hurt, but some masseuses really just don't practice anything but deep tissue. Before you have another massage done, tell your practitioner your past experience, bruising and what not, and ask them to give you a relaxation massage that does not involve deep tissue work. They should be more gentle with you, and you will still "release toxins" or whatever the hell the new agers think massages do :D