After your massage you may notice profound changes in your body and mind. Here are some things that can help you get the most from your massage.
- Drink extra water.
Massage improves circulation, which helps flush irritating waste products from stressed muscles and other tissues. Drinking water aids the functioning of the whole body, including the circulation and the kidneys, which are both involved with removing waste products from your body. Drinking extra water also seems to help reduce soreness and fatigue after a massage.
- Schedule time to take it easy after your massage.
Rest if you feel the need. If you can, take a nap or go to bed early. If you haven’t been sleeping well, receiving massage may relax you enough that you will want to turn in and catch up.
- If the focus of your massage is on a particular injury or body part, remember to stretch, ice, or apply heat to that area with the advice of your massage therapist. Or, you may want to do some gentle movement, such as walking, sometime in the hours after your massage to mildly encourage your muscles to work in a balanced and efficient way.
- People sometimes experience soreness for 24 hours or so after a massage. If you do feel sore or think that you might, stretch gently in a hot shower or take a warm bath with Epsom salts. And remember to tell your massage therapist about your experience so it can be taken into consideration in your next session.