5 Easy Ways to Extend the Benefits of Your Massage

After your massage, you for sure feel relaxed, your blood will be flowing, and your muscles will feel like they have taken a deep breath. I know you will want to hang onto that wonderful post-massage feeling as long as possible. Right? So, here are 5 tips to help you prolong the effects:

SKIP YOUR LATTE, GRAB YOUR WATER BOTTLE

Massage gets your blood circulating and begins to release metabolic waste. As your massage therapist loosens your muscles your system starts to process faster and the excrements left over to start making their way toward your liver and other organs to be released. Staying hydrated prior to and after your massage will help flush out the waste products your now improved circulation has moving through your body.

Caffeine after a massage can be counterproductive to the muscles that were just worked on. So – if you are a coffee drinker, get your caffeine fix in prior to your massage. Water (or Herbal tea) will help keep your newly energized circulation moving at an appropriate pace and help you hold onto that ‘fresh massage’ feeling longer. Drink more water after a massage than you usually would, to provide the hydration your body will need to flush the newly moving metabolic waste out.

​FEELING SORE? ADD ICE

Your massage therapist just released your tight muscles. Deep-rooted muscle tension often requires some deep muscle work that might leave you feeling a little tender or sore after your massage. Stay away from icy-hot or other products that produce heat IF you do not combine them with ice. The muscles are already inflamed after the deep massage session, heat without ice alternation will only inflame the muscles more.

The best way to treat sore muscles, post-massage, is to apply some ice to the area for a quick 10-15 minutes to decrease soreness. If you want to keep the increased circulation going after a session alternate this ice with 5 min of heat. This creates a pumping effect in the muscle that causes the area to be sore or tender for a shorter period.

​FUEL YOUR BODY

A massage session is like jump-starting your car – only you are jump-starting some of your body’s primary systems. After a massage, your body will be firing on all cylinders, and you’ll want to provide the necessary fuel. Massage causes the release of the ‘feel-good endorphins that will have you feeling a natural high. You may also be feeling a bit tired, and maybe a little lightheaded, grab a snack to give yourself an added energy boost.

POSTPONE YOUR WORKOUT

You took the time out of your busy schedule to find relief. You’re feeling relaxed, your muscles feel loose. It’s best to let your body enjoy how it feels by giving it a chance to rest. Sometimes heading back to work or out to dinner with friends is unavoidable. We highly recommend you give your body and mind some downtime after a massage. Your muscles were just worked and loosened, to avoid the risk of injury or overworking a muscle, we suggest you avoid any physical activity for the remainder of the day.

EPSOM SALT BATH

The wonders of Epsom salt have been well known for hundreds of years and, unlike other salts, it has beneficial properties that can soothe the body, mind, and soul. Some of the countless health benefits include relaxing the nervous system, curing skin problems, soothing back pain, and aching limbs, easing muscle strain, healing cuts, treating colds and congestion, and drawing toxins from the body. One of the simplest ways to ease stress and stress-related problems is to soak in a tub full of hot water with a few cups of Epsom salt.

One Healing Touch Reiki & Massage for Women

The effects of massage therapy are cumulative. This means it takes getting more than one massage to get rid of the aches, pains, or knots you are experiencing. Having a monthly, biweekly, or weekly massage routine can be just the addition you need to manage chronic pain and reduce stiffness, hip pain, back pain, and more. As you consider what your needs and wants are consider massage therapy a need for better health and self-care. Choose an OHT Bundle/Package or membership to make consistent massage therapy a part of your self-care routine. You are sure not to regret it.

​WHEN MASSAGE IS A REGULAR PART OF YOUR LIFE, YOU ARE GUARANTEED TO FEEL THE BENEFITS