5 Things to Do After Your Massage

Your massage is over, but we're not done! What you do afterwards can make all the difference. These 5 tips can really maximize the effects of your massage.

1. Drink plenty of water. A massage increases the cirulation, moving blood around the body and pushing it in and out of the muscles. That's a good thing! That blood brings oxygen and nutrients to cells and muscles, but it also carries away toxins that may have been building up in the body. Especially if you've had a deep massage, toxins that may have been trapped in the muscles were likely released. Drinking water after a massage will help the body to eliminate toxins and recover.
2. Take it easy. There is a normal recovery period after a massage. You will likely feel a bit tired and lethargic for the rest of the day. Go with it! Your body needs that time to rejuvenate. Avoid strenuous exercise or stressful activities until you're feeling back to normal. Relax, put your feet up, and pamper yourself a bit. Mild exercise can be fine, but listen to your body. If you feel like taking a nap, do it!
3. Stretch your body. With your muscles all loosened up, this is a great time for some gentle stretching to encourage that release. Focus on any areas the therapist spent extra time on or that may still feel tight or even a little bit sore from the massage. Get into a routine! A regular stretching regimen is a good thing. You're likely to have problem areas that tend to regularly tighten up on you. Stretching can keep things from becoming a problem down the road. If you're unsure, ask your therapist to recommend stretches for you. 
4. Keep Moving. Being active is a great way to maintain a healthy state of well-being. Many of us have sedentary "desk jobs" that add to the stress on our bodies. Set an alarm to remind you to get up and move around or stretch throughout the day. Exercise regularly to keep the cardiovascular system healthy and muscles strong. Weak muscles and lack of blood flow can add to the dysfunction of painful problem areas. Our bodies are made to be mobile. You'll feel a lot better if you keep it in action!
5. Self massage. Most of us need more massage than we get. You can maintain the positive effects of massage by keeping it going in between sessions. There are a variety of tools out there that will help you do that. The cheapest tool you can use is a tennis ball. Using your body weight, you can apply pressure to knots and tight areas without too much intensity. A foam roller is also a great tool for rolling out the larger muscles of your legs, glutes, and back. My favorite tool is the Thera Cane. I love it because I don't have to find floor space to use it. I can use it while watching TV to find sore and tight spots, and I can get a surprising amount of pressure into them! 

~Jenni Curtis, LMT

801*879*4173

massagebyjenni.com

5 Things to Do During Your Massage Session

Once you’re in the massage room, there are a few things to keep in mind that can really enhance the experience. Follow these 5 tips to make your massage the best it can be.

1. Tell the therapist what your needs are before the session begins. Your massage therapist wants to know as much as possible to make sure you get what you need out of your massage session. Tell them about any injuries or problem areas. Make requests for areas of focus and any preferred style you’re looking for. If there are any special circumstances or things to either avoid or be careful with, be sure to disclose them. 
2. Remove as much of your clothing as you feel comfortable with. To get the most out of your massage, remove as much clothing as you possibly can. Typically clients remove all clothing and simply rely on the drape (a sheet or a towel) to maintain modesty. This way, there will be nothing to hinder the flow of the massage or access to specific areas that may need work. Your therapist has been trained to use the drape in a way that will allow them to do their job while still maintaining boundaries and modesty. It’s perfectly normal to be nervous about undressing, particularly if you’re new to massage. Always feel free to leave underwear on or anything you prefer if it makes you feel more comfortable. Your ability to relax is paramount.
3. Breathe. Your body desperately needs oxygen to function properly. When muscles get tight, blood flow is restricted and oxygen often is unable to properly reach the cells of the body. Always be sure to breathe throughout your massage session. If the therapist finds a tight or tender spot, focus your breath on that area. Visualize the inhalation traveling to the point of pain or tension. Through the power of intention, more oxygen will find its way there. Breathing can also induce relaxation. When you’re holding your breath, you're probably not relaxed. If it’s due to pain, perhaps the massage is too deep and the strokes will need to be adjusted. However, breathing can help you get through a difficult moment and receive the work you need in extra tight areas of the body.
4. Stay relaxed. As a client, you really only have one job while receiving a massage. Relax! Scan your body for any contracted muscles and let go of them. The therapist will be able to work your body better if it isn’t fighting back. Resist the temptation to “help” when the therapist moves a limb or lifts your head. The more you can be “dead weight” the better! The therapist will always let you know if they need you to do anything besides lie there.
5. Communicate.  Your therapist will always do their best to anticipate your needs by paying attention to your body language, but they aren’t mind readers! Just because you groan, doesn’t mean the therapist will lighten the pressure. Believe it or not, there is such a thing as “good pain” in a massage, and to some, “it hurts so good!” However, if you can’t stay relaxed and continue breathing, it might be too deep!  Always say something if you aren’t comfortable. That goes for any aspect of your massage experience. If you’re cold, hot, need a tissue, the music is too loud, the massage isn’t deep enough, you’d rather zone-out instead of chat, anything; speak up! Your massage therapist wants you to have the best massage you’ve ever had, every single time! 

~Jenni Curtis, LMT

801*879*4173

massagebyjenni.com