Categories: HEALTH & WELLNESS

What to Do Before, During and After Getting a Massage

This article offers simple suggestions about what to do before, during and after getting a massage in order to help you get the most out of your session. It, in no way, implies to take the place of qualified advice from your actual therapist. It is meant only for reference. Consult a Certified Massage Therapist with any questions or concerns that you may have.

What To Do Before A Massage:

Ask For Licenses, Schooling and References: Finding a good massage therapist is a lot like finding any professional. The first step is to make sure to check out any local requirements that a true massage therapist is required to have and only go to those that meet them.

Ask About Techniques: Someone who works well for a friend, may not work for you. Every therapist differs a little in the pressure that they use and how they actually preform the different techniques. It’s worth while to search around, and even pay a little more, for a good match.

Shower: Not only does a hot shower loosen up your muscles, it also makes for a more pleasant experience for your therapist as well. Looser muscles make the massage easier and who wouldn’t take a freshly washed body over any other when you’re in that close of contact?

Write It Down: In addition to all of your complaints, write down anything that could be medically relevant (such as any allergies or disliking of certain oils or scents). Any diagnosis from your doctor or chiropractor can not only be beneficial in your massage treatment, it can also change the way that your therapist may do things. Ones that are trained in different specialty massages, such as Deep Tissue or Swedish, may know a different technique that may help you more. In fact, there may also be some things that they should not do in some injury cases. Nothing is too small to share!

What To Do During A Massage:

Speak Up!: This covers everything you should do while getting a massage. If something is hurting you, you’re cold, or even just uncomfortable; tell your therapist right away. They want this to be an enjoyable experience for you and want you as a return client. It may take awhile to understand your needs or wants and the only way for it to happen at all is to tell them. For instance, give them the chance to adjust their pressure before writing them off as too hard or soft. They are there to help you, they can do their job better when you let them know how to do that.

What To Do After Getting A Massage:

Drink Plenty Of Water: Massaging your muscles can get them to release toxins. Make sure to stay hydrated to flush them out of your system faster.

Give Yourself Some Time: You may not always feel better right away. Extremely tight muscles before a massage can even make you feel even a little sorer right after getting one. The toxins that are released may even make you feel a little sick. Sometimes, a few treatments may be needed for you to feel complete relief. Talk to your therapist about anything you experience and they can suggest other things, such as stretching exercises, to make the process faster and easier.

Don’t Quit Just Because You Feel Better: Prevention is always better than treatment and a maintenance plan can keep you feeling good. People who get regular massages tend to report better results than those that just go in when they absolutely have to. Treat it as you would any other activity that can help your wellbeing. Rather than considering it a pampering luxury, make it a part of your new healthier lifestyle!