What to Expect After a Massage

After your massage, you’ll be feeling relaxed, your blood will be flowing and your muscles should feel like pudding. Your massage therapist will mention why it’s important to drink plenty of water after a massage but you might be so relaxed at that moment that you won’t completely take it all in. You’ll want to hang onto that wonderful post massage feeling as long as possible and try and take it easy and be kind to yourself.

AFTER-MASSAGE TIPS

1. SKIP YOUR LATTE, GRAB YOUR WATER BOTTLE

Massage gets your blood circulating and begins to release built-up toxins. As your therapists loosens your muscles those toxins loosen up and start making their way toward your liver and other organs. Staying hydrated prior to and after a massage will help flush out the toxins and waste products your now improved circulation has moving through your body. Caffeine after a massage can be counterproductive to the muscles that were just worked on. So – if you are a coffee drinker, get your caffeine fix in prior to your massage. Water (or Herbal tea) will help keep your newly energized circulation moving at an appropriate pace, and help you hold onto that ‘fresh massage’ feeling longer. Drink more water after a massage than you normally would, to provide the hydration your body will need to flush the newly moving toxins out.

2. FEELING SORE? ADD HEAT

Your massage therapist just released your tight muscles. Deep-rooted muscle tension often requires some deep muscle work that might leave you feeling a little tender or sore after a massage. Find some icy-hot or other products that produce heat, the muscles are already warmed up after the deep massage session, heat will keep the muscles more relaxed and mobile. The best way to treat sore muscles, post massage, is to apply some heat to the area for a quick 10-15 minutes to decrease soreness.

3. FUEL YOUR BODY

A massage session is like jump-starting your car – only you are jump-starting some of your body’s primary systems. After a massage your body will be firing on all cylinders and you’ll want to provide the necessary fuel. The release of the ‘feel good’ endorphins will have you feeling a natural high. You may also be feeling a bit tired, and maybe a little light headed, grab a protein filled snack to give yourself an added energy boost.

4. POSTPONE YOUR WORKOUT

You took the time out of your busy schedule to find relief. You’re feeling relaxed, your muscles feel loose. It’s best to let your body enjoy how it feels by giving it a chance to rest. Sometime heading back to work or out to dinner with friends is unavoidable. We highly recommend you give your body and mind some down time after a massage. Your muscles were just manually worked out and loosened, to avoid risk of injury or overworking a muscle, we suggest you avoid any physical activity for the remainder of the day.

5. EPSOM SALT BATH

The wonders of Epsom salt have been well known for hundreds of years and, unlike other salts, it has beneficial properties that can soothe the body, mind, and soul. Some of the countless health benefits include relaxing the nervous system, curing skin problems, soothing back pain and aching limbs, easing muscle strain, healing cuts, treating colds and congestion, and drawing toxins from the body. One of the simplest ways to ease stress and stress-related problems is to soak in a tub full of hot water with a few cups of Epsom salt. Some more benefits of Epsom salts include: easing stress and relaxes the body, relieving pain and muscle cramps, helps muscles and nerves function properly, helps prevent hardening of arteries and blood clots, makes insulin more effective, relieves constipation, and eliminates toxins from the body.