August 18, 2016

How to Make the Most of Your Massage For most of us, having a massage is a very welcome treat! And they don’t usually happen every day, so you want to know how to make the most of your massage. Making a few mindful choices before and after your appointment can transform your experience and make it that much better. As massage therapists, we want to give you some insider tips on making the most of your experience. 11 Tips to Make the Most of Your Massage Therapy Appointment 1. Shower Before is Better Than After You can do a few things before your massage to enjoy your experience. Having a shower before has multiple benefits. Firstly, being clean is nice not only for you but for your massage therapist as well! Also, the relaxation effect of a warm shower will help your muscles relax, enhancing the work of the therapist. If possible, skip lotions, oils, or heavy creams on the day of your treatment. This allows the therapist to work more effectively with your skin and muscles. It can also lead to a better absorption of any oils used during your treatment. 2. Don’t Leave Your Work Out Until Later It is tough prioritizing when you want to get multiple activities squeezed into one day. But there is no reason to skip your workout, as a good workout will warm your muscles up nicely. The massage will also feel so much better after a good workout. Don’t be tempted to convince yourself you will work out after the massage. You will probably be too relaxed! 3. Consistency is Key One massage every few years is not going to do the trick. If you want to maintain muscle health and help prevent future injuries, having a massage once a month or every 6 weeks is the minimum you need. Suppose you have specific injuries in more than one area. In that case, it is usually not possible to address everything in one 60-minute session. Massage therapy should be part of your long-term wellness routine. 4. Eat Light and Not Right Before Firstly, lying on a full belly is uncomfortable, but massage also stimulates digestion. That’s why eating a big, heavy meal right before is not a good idea. Eat a meal a few hours prior and a very light snack shortly before your massage. Don’t skip eating. If you do, you could feel light-headed or dizzy during the massage. 5. Be Specific When You Schedule Before you pick up the phone to book your appointment, think about the experience you want. Take a mental check of your body and mind. Decide if you need a deep tissue massage to really work out the muscle tension. Or determine if you just need to relax. When you call to schedule, let the coordinator know which 6. Undress for Success Removing all your clothing can seem awkward. But remember, your private parts will remain covered at all times. Licensed massage therapists are trained in the art of “draping.” This allows them to uncover only the areas they are working on. You may undress to the point where you feel comfortable. You do not have to remove all of your clothing. However, underclothes can sometimes interrupt the flow of a massage stroke. So, disrobing fully is recommended if you’re after the ultimate experience. 7. Schedule For Ultimate Enjoyment Sometimes, we see clients coming and going in a mad rush. It doesn’t seem they are getting the most enjoyment out of their massage. We recommend scheduling ahead of time. Don’t try to squeeze it in between an already hectic schedule. Ideally, you want to arrive in an open, relaxed frame of mind so you can leave feeling even better. Get the full benefit of relaxation by avoiding scheduling stressful meetings or events right after your massage. 8. Just Say So Do not worry that your therapist will feel slighted. Feel free to ask them to go deeper, lighter, or spend more time in one area. Massage therapists actually appreciate the feedback! It helps them structure the treatment based on your needs. This is your message, and you should get what you need.  Think of what you would like to get out of your massage before entering the treatment room. Then, communicate that to your therapist during the intake discussion. If you have any health issues, injuries, or conditions, discuss them with your therapist beforehand. They can tailor the service to your needs and avoid any areas that might be sensitive or painful. 9. Pain is Not Always Gain Just because it does not hurt, does not mean it’s not working! We promise! Some light tenderness or a feeling of release is normal. The idea is to get the muscle to stretch lightly and release. This happens more readily when the muscle is relaxed.  If too much pressure is applied, the muscle tends to tense. This creates the opposite effect of the intention of the massage. Don’t hesitate to let your therapist know if something hurts! 10. Make the Most of Your Massage by Unwinding Afterward After your massage, take a moment to ease back into your day. Bring that sense of inner calm and peace with you. Ensure you have a moment to rest and reflect afterward. Listen to your body. Everyone’s experience is different. If you feel tired, let yourself rest. If you feel energized, enjoy that uplift! Pay attention to how your body feels and respond accordingly. 11. Stay Hydrated Drinking water after your massage helps flush out any toxins released during the session. It also aids in muscle recovery. So, keep a glass nearby to sip on as you relax. Massage appointments don’t happen every day. But when they do, they’re something special! Enjoy your massage and treat yourself to a well-deserved moment of bliss. Apply each simple tip we gave you, and see the difference even the smallest shifts can make. Click the link here to schedule your appointment at