Is There Anything I Should Do After My Massage?

Regardless of the type of massage you get, there are some things you should do to maximize your massage benefits.

Drink Plenty of H2O

We all know how important staying hydrated is in general. It’s crucial right after your massage and for the next few hours to days. That’s because drinking water helps rehydrate your tissues and flush out waste products produced in the body such as lactic acid.

Curb the Caffeine

As caffeine is a diuretic, you will have to go to the bathroom more. The more you go to the bathroom, the more you dehydrate yourself, which dehydrates the muscles. That’s why we recommend no caffeine following a massage. It’s also a good idea to abstain from alcohol, which is also a diuretic.

Eat a Nutritious Meal

Proper nutrition is vital to give the body what it needs to function optimally. Good choices include fruits and vegetables, whole grains and pulses such as beans and lentils.

Avoid Painkillers

Depending on the type of massage you receive there could be some inflammation. If you take a painkiller (which tends to mask pain) to reduce that inflammation, and then, for example, work out at the gym, you may overexert your muscles and reinjure them. Painkillers are also damaging to the healthy bacteria in your stomach and intestines. That’s why we recommend avoiding painkillers.

Take a Warm Shower or Bath

Once you get home, you can extend your relaxed feeling by taking a nice, warm bath or shower. The gentle pressure from the water provides compression, which helps remove lactic acid and aid in muscle recovery. If you take a bath, consider adding some Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) to the bath, which will help alleviate any aches and pains. Painkillers are also damaging to the stomach.

Let Yourself Feel Emotions

Often, after a massage, people feel a surge of emotions, including happiness or grief, which they have been holding on to for a long time. If you feel like crying, that’s okay. On the other hand, if you feel extremely happy and want to sing or laugh, that’s fine too. It’s all about feeling liberated to release your emotions, which can help you feel better.

Do Some Stretching

After your massage, completing the stretches your massage therapist recommends is helpful. Stretching will help keep the muscles loose, and is good practice to ensure you don’t forget the stretches you were given. Stretching has a cumulative effect so continuing them until your next massage is important.

Rest & Relax

After your massage, you’ll likely feel blissfully relaxed. Another way you can extend that relaxation is by resting. From curling up on the sofa with a good book to watching some TV or napping, resting will help to extend that delightful sense of well-being.