Coming in for a massage or simply considering the idea? Great, you could be on your way to some deep, long lasting healing, or maybe just some much needed relief. Whether you are getting one massage or a longer series, here is a list of the top ten things your massage therapist wants you to know. This list is designed to give you the maximum value and the deepest benefits from the work done on your body. Consider a massage as an investment and you, the investor, want the maximum return. Take this list into consideration if you are serious about getting the most out of your bodywork.
1. Stay hydrated
2. Diet and nutrition matter
3. Timing is important
4. Regularity
5. No smoking 3 hours before or after massage
6. Follow through with massage
7. Take a shower
8. Give thought to what you really want from a massage
9. Understand that the body is a whole system
10. Don’t eat a heavy meal before or after massage
Patrick Cross, licensed massage therapist and instructor of massage for the last nine years specializing in pain management, sports massage, stress relief, and self care coaching, helped develop this list and he had some very valuable tips for clients to consider. Along with his training in Deep Tissue, Swedish, Trigger Point, Structural Integration, Cranial-sacral, and Somato Emotional Release therapies, he is also an Instructor of Sports massage, Tai Chi, and Self care at The Massage Therapy Institute of Colorado.
Patrick’s main, overall message to clients is this: The healing is in the hands of the client. Patrick urges clients to take their lives into their own hands and reminds people that the healing process is about every day choices.
Now, let’s dive a little deeper into this list. At number one we have hydration. What this means is staying consistently hydrated every day. Downing liters of water before and after massage is not nearly as effective as keeping the body regularly hydrated. And sorry, sodas, sports drinks and other substitutes often dehydrate the body more. Nothing can take the place of the one, the only H2O.
At number two diet and nutrition. Now, this is a topic that a dozen textbooks could not address thoroughly enough. For the purposes of this short article it will have to be enough to simply say that for different types of massage nutrition has a major impact on recovery. Proper nutrition can make bodywork less painful and can help integrate the work more effectively.
The third suggestion, timing, has many meanings. First, it is generally better to get a massage before exercise, stress, etc. rather than the other way around. Sports massage is more valuable before a great strain is put on the body and the body works better under stress with the help of a massage. If you have a stressful period coming up like finals, a project deadline, or an important meeting, you will do yourself a greater service to get a massage before the stressful event, rather than after. Massage can increase blood flow to the brain, raise serotonin levels, and help your body operate at higher efficiency. In addition, timing is important after the massage as well. Movement after the massage is important, nothing strenuous, but a relaxing yoga class, a bike ride, or some form of light exercise rather than sleeping or sitting couch-locked can assist the positive effects of the massage. Patrick reminds clients that “massage primes the body to move in a more balanced and efficient way.”
Recommendation number four is regularity. You wouldn’t go without regular oil changes in your car, and the body is no different. In fact, it requires a much more consistent form of attention. Most massage therapists recommend monthly massages. But even more important, don’t leave all the work to your massage therapist. Learn self-care! Ask your therapist for self care tips
Number five does not need much explanation. Consult your physician or call the smoking hotline for assistance with quitting. For the purposes of this article the primary reason to not smoke three hours before or after a massage is mainly because smoking decreases blood flow and increases blood pressure. This will inhibit the value you might receive from bodywork.
Recommendation six is very important for those seeking relief from chronic symptoms or attempting to address deeper issues. Following through with a series of massages will make issues less likely to come back and if they do, symptoms will be less intense. Once you start a healing process it’s best to finish it.
Number seven is not simply about body odor; dirt and grime can inhibit the efficacy of a massage. Patrick had an example of a client who came in for a massage straight from the construction site where he worked, covered in dry wall dust. This dust mingled with the massage oil and caused a thick build up, which greatly obstructed Patrick’s ability to provide an effective massage.
Number eight is perhaps the most difficult suggestion to pin down. Knowing what you want from a massage can help focus the trajectory of healing and relief. This direction helps you and the therapist set goals and take measurable steps. It is also important to have realistic expectations. Talk to your therapist about your issues and your needs and work together on achievable aims.
At number nine we have the understanding that the body is a whole system. If your neck and shoulders are bothering you, chances are that several areas need to be addressed in order to truly alleviate the issue. Patrick and other therapists at the Manton Massage Clinic practice the “feet up approach.” In Chinese medicine they say, “You die from the feet up.” The whole body needs attention, not just one specific area because the body’s system is interdependent and interconnected.
And finally, number ten. Eating a heavy meal before a massage can make the process very uncomfortable. But more importantly, if a heavy meal is consumed after the massage the body will focus more on digesting the meal than assimilating and balancing out the bodywork.
Follow these ten simple guidelines if you want the most from your massage. For more specific questions speak to your massage therapist. Massage has proven effective in addressing a vast number of injuries and ailments and is certainly a therapy worth considering to heal or alleviate many symptoms and their root causes. But remember, healing is in the hands of the client. Use this list as a guide on your healing path.
By Levi Andrew Noe