Can a pneumothorax be caused by a deep tissue massage? i went to the er the day after my massage, the xray discovered the partial lung collapse.

Possibly: Pneumothoraxes are usually caused by lung from a fractured rib or a ruptured bullae. If during a deep tissue massage a rib was fractured then a pneumothorax would probably develop. I hope this answered your question.

Unlikely: Unlikely that the massage caused the pneumothorax. If a rib was fractured the pain from that would be your major complaint. Possibly bearing down during the massage could rupture a bleb on the lung and cause the pneumothorax.

Not likely.: Pneumothorax can be traumatic, but are more commonly associated with stab wounds, broken ribs or crushing injuries to the chest. A pneumothorax can also be spontaneous. These occur when a bleb (a "bubble") on the lung pops, and is more common in tall, thin people.