Have you ever had a massage and felt something unusual? You expected your body to feel relaxed, but that doesn’t seem to happen either. Worse still, you feel uncomfortable when receiving the message, and you cannot stop telling your therapy to go slow on your body. Well, all this could be attributed to the habits you do before and after your appointment. Normally, a massage should be relaxing, and knowing what to do and not to do before and after your appointments helps you reap all the benefits.
So what are these things you should avoid? Please stick with me to the end as I unveil important things to do before and after a massage and the ones to avoid. Let’s jump right in!
1. Watch What You Eat
While you shouldn't starve yourself, it is imperative to watch out what you eat. Gas-inducing foods may cause discomfort. A bloated stomach can hinder you from relaxing.
In case you react to certain foods, it is always good to avoid them. Ask the ingredients used on any you order to avoid stomach gas.
Some of the foods which cause bloating include:
Lactose products like dairy
Lentils, beans, and peas
Fiber-rich foods
Cabbage
Onions
Oatmeal, bread, pasta, corn
Brown rice, among others
Pay attention to any other food that reacts with your body, like ones that cause heartburn. Overall, anything that reacts with your body should be avoided.
2. Avoid Consuming Large Portions Of Foods Or Eating 1 Hour To Your Appointment
Eating adds more pounds to your body and may make you uncomfortable during your massage. You are more likely to get vexed when your therapist massages your lower back and stomach. To avoid these frustrations, take a snack an hour to your appointment.
3. Watch What You Drink
Alcohol hinders you from enjoying the benefits of a massage. Normally, alcohol desensitizes your body, making it hard to notice the level of pressure applied. Wait four hours or more after taking alcohol to have a massage.
4. Be On Time
Arriving late will mess up your appointment, which will translate to a rushed session. In most cases, if you arrive late, your session is not extended. To avoid any blame game, always arrive 15 or 10 minutes earlier.
5. Talk With Your Therapist
Everyone has their preferences when receiving a massage. It is good to let your therapist know your personal preferences. Are there areas you are not comfortable being touched, or is there a certain pressure you cannot withstand? Let your therapist know in advance. Concerns like surgery, pregnancy, injuries, or reaction to certain oils, scents, and products should not be left out either.
Do’s And Don’ts After A Massage
6. Avoid Hot Water
Some types of massages like deep tissue massage, which involve applying more pressure, may cause some discomfort a day after. This may make you want to take a hot shower to help relieve the discomfort, but the truth is heat should be the last thing to think of.
It is normal to feel discomfort after a deep tissue massage. This is because when the muscles get activated, a light inflammation occurs. With time the inflammation will face away. Applying heat or taking a hot shower will cause the inflammation to take longer.
However, that does not mean you take cold showers. Shower with warm water instead.
7. Drink Enough Water
Post massage hydration is important. Your muscles get dehydrated, and drinking water after your massage helps flush out all the toxins accumulated in your body while helping build healthy muscle tissues.
8. Failing To Show Up During Your Next Appointment
With time your body will require another massage to help fight the toxins and stress. Make sure you do it regularly, and if possible you do not skip your appointments.
9. Avoid Caffeinated Drinks
Caffeine can cause dehydration after a massage. Some people may experience mood swings if they consume drinks high in caffeine. If possible, avoid them and give your body some time to relax and recharge.
Wrapping Up
It is no doubt that a massage has massive health benefits to the body. Putting the above-discussed points into consideration will help you reap all the benefits and avoid any discomfort before and after. What have you been doing before or after your massage that you feel you need to stop. Share your contributions in the comments section below. See you on the messaging section.