In today's fast-paced world, taking time for self-care can be daunting. However, once you schedule some "me time," it is crucial to maximize its benefits. If you plan to get a massage, preparing yourself beforehand and knowing what to do or not to do after a massage can make for a better experience. Whether it's your first or hundredth massage, here are some tips to help you make the most of your next massage session.
7 Things You Should Do Before & During a Therapeutic Massage
#1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Drinking plenty of water or herbal tea before your massage is essential. Staying hydrated helps to eliminate toxins from your body, which are released into the circulation during the treatment. It is best to avoid stimulants like coffee, regular tea, or alcohol before your massage.
#2. Grab a Snack
While your therapist won't mind hearing your stomach rumble, it can be distracting during your massage. Therefore, eating light at least an hour before your treatment is recommended. Go for fruits or other easy-to-digest options if you need a last-minute snack.
#3. Take a Hot Shower
A hot shower before your massage is a great way to loosen up your muscles and help you relax into the experience. After the massage, you can take another shower to remove excess oil.
#4. Comfort is Key
Wearing comfortable clothes (and shoes) is essential to prolong the feeling of relaxation. Restrictive clothing can be uncomfortable and take away from the experience.
#5. Arrive Early
Arriving 10 to 15 minutes before your appointment allows you to complete your health questionnaire without impinging on your massage time.
#6. Speak Up
Communicating your needs with your massage therapist before and during the treatment is essential. Speaking up may feel counterintuitive to the usual quiet ambiance of a massage room, but the more you tell your therapist, the better they can respond to your needs.
#7. Breathe
During your massage, focus on your breathing and take deep, long breaths. Leave all your worries behind and relax.
Massage therapy is an effective treatment option for various conditions and injuries. It can help relieve pain, increase range of motion, and relax muscles. Different massages offer various health benefits, such as Swedish massage for relaxation and deep tissue massage for chronic pain and muscle tension. Massage therapy is often combined with other therapies, such as physical or chiropractic care.
After a massage therapy session, there are some things that you should not do to maximize the benefits of the massage treatment.
6 Things to Avoid After a Therapeutic Massage
#1. Avoid Alcohol
Drinking alcohol after massage therapy can dehydrate your body and interfere with the benefits of the massage, such as increased blood circulation and reduced muscle tension. So, skip the margarita at Girl's Night and get water with lemon.
#2. Eat a Light Meal
Eating a large meal can put a lot of strain on your digestive system, interfering with the benefits of the massage. Eat something light like fruit, steamed veggies, or a smoothie.
#3. Don’t Take a Hot Shower or Bath
As much as you'll want to indulge in more self-care and jump into the tub, a hot bath or shower can cause your muscles to tense up, negating the benefits of massage therapy. We recommend waiting a few hours before you take that bubble bath.
#4. Skip the Gym
As much as we encourage hitting the gym, exercising immediately after a massage can put unnecessary stress on your muscles and make you feel sore.
#5. Lay Off the Caffeine
From one coffee addict to another, we recommend skipping that iced latte and brewing a nice cup of chamomile instead! Caffeine can interfere with the benefits of the massage, such as relaxation and increased circulation.
#6. Drop that Nasty Habit
We're not here to judge, but hitting that vape or buying a fresh pack of smokes isn't the best idea after a massage. Nicotine constricts blood vessels and decreases circulation, negating the benefits of a massage.
Additional Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Massage
Applying ice to the affected area for 10-20 minutes at a time is also beneficial to reduce inflammation and muscle pain.
Getting enough rest, doing gentle stretches, avoiding stressful situations, and making time for relaxation are other things you should do after a massage therapy session.
Massage therapy has numerous physical and mental benefits, such as improving energy levels and mood, managing aches and pains, improving range of motion, reducing stress and anxiety, and increasing blood flow and circulation. Taking care of yourself before and after a massage therapy session is essential to enjoy these benefits!
Comments