How to Maximize Massage Benefits

If you are seeking out massage therapy, then you are probably committed to improving your overall health and wellness.  But did you know that there are a few things to make your massage even better and more effective?
 
Before your session

1. Take a warm shower.  A warm shower, or even some time in a sauna or hot tub, can help start warming the muscles and relaxing the body.
2. Do eat and drink water before. It is important for your body to be hydrated and nourished, but do not eat a large meal right before your appointment. Schedule your appointment 1-2 hours after a main meal.
3. Arrive early. Plan to arrive 5 to 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment to give you time to prepare your mind and body for the session.
4. Communicate. Give your therapist a quick rundown of your goals and specific areas you want worked on during the session. Make sure to mention any changes in medications and medical conditions.

During your session

1. Relax and Breathe. Once on the massage table, it is important to try to let go of everything else for a little while. The body takes its cues from the mind. Concentrate on your breath. Making sure you are breathing deep and even with help release the tension.
2. Speak up. If the pressure isn’t right, the music too loud, the room too cold, etc. just say something. The session is all about you, and your therapist won’t mind adjusting for your comfort.

After your session

1. Hydrate. There is a reason massage therapists offer you water after a massage. Massage moves cell waste through your body and water helps flush it out. If you’re dehydrated, you will have a higher chance of being sore or fatigued after a massage.
2. Do your homework.  I try to offer my clients simple stretches that they can do at home to help enhance the work I did on the massage table. In most cases, if you don’t do something in between massage sessions your body will revert to its previous condition.
3. Get massaged regularly.  This isn’t a ploy to make more money. You wouldn’t exercise once a year and expect lasting results. You wouldn’t do maintenance on your car only when it’s not running right. Booking regular massages, even if it’s only every 4-6 weeks, can have a profound effect on your wellbeing. And it takes more than one 60-minute session to work out chronic muscular tension and relieve pain.