MASSAGES INFORMATION

Things to Do Before and After Massage

Massage treatments aid rehabilitation from injury; reduce pain; relieve stress and anxiety; relax muscles; and promote general health. A massage is a very hands-on experience involving rubbing, kneading and working soft body tissues, such as muscles, connective tissue tendons, and ligaments.

Here are some simple things you can do before and after your massage to ensure that you enjoy optimal benefits.

Before The Massage

• General Hygiene

A shower might be best, but using a moist rag or washcloth to refresh your underarms isn’t a bad idea. Cover wounds and plantar warts but don’t be overly concerned about acne, psoriasis, eczema and other non-communicable skin conditions. Just ensure to note them on the intake form. Get a doctor’s’ clearance if you have open sores or a communicable condition.

• Food Intake

The massage stimulates your body’s digestive processes and might leave you feeling hungry. Also, the relaxation massage can lower your blood sugar level. Have a light snack about an hour before the session and if you’ve had a big meal, allow your body to digest first. Avoid any alcohol prior to the massage session.

If the gender of the practitioner matters, let the office know beforehand.

During The Massage

• Communication

It is in your best interest to communicate your needs before the session. Share your reasons for getting the massage (for relaxationor for specific injury) and your reservations (if any) about the massage process itself.

• Personal Comfort

Undress as much as you are comfortable with, bearing in mind that exposing more of the areas to be worked allows for uninterrupted access to them and for the flow of the massage.

If the music or lighting is not working for you, speak up. Some therapists may engage you in a constant conversation. If you prefer silence, then say that too.

You may feel drowsy and dose off during the relaxing massage. While it is ok to doze off for a short period, avoid completely falling asleep for the most part of your massage session. It would not only diminish some of the therapeutic benefits, it might also affect having a quality sleep at night for some individuals.

After The Massage

• Take Your Time

Don’t get up too quickly, you may feel lightheaded. Sit on the edge of the table and relax a while.

• Have Some Water And A Snack

The detoxifying effect of the massage may leave you a little dehydrated. You can reverse this with a bottle of water. The water will also helps to relieve soreness caused by lactic acid build-up in the muscles (a natural effect of the massage).

Your digestive system was still at work, so don’t ignore the hunger pangs. Help keep your blood sugar levels even with a light snack.

• Communicate (Again)

The massage therapist will ask how you’re feeling. Be honest – say what worked and what didn’t. Scheduling another appointment is always a good idea, since the benefits of massage are better felt over time.

• Things to Avoid

Avoid any alcohol or caffeine after the massage session. It is also advisable to avoid vigorous exercise on the day of the treatment.

• Things to Do

Just go home and relax. Try having a relaxing Epsom salt bath. Then, go to bed early and have a good sleep.

Remember that much of what you do before and after your massage will impact overall benefits you derive from the massage itself. If you are scheduled for a repeat procedure, try as much as possible to incorporate many of the lessons learnt from the previous ones.

Deep Tissue Massage – Explained

A deep tissue massage is a technique that focuses on realignment of deep layers of muscle, connective tissue and tendons. It incorporates some of the strokes found in classic massage therapy, but concentrates on areas of tension and pain utilizing slower movements that apply deeper pressure.

What You Should Expect

In giving a deep tissue massage, the massage therapists may use fingertips, knuckles, hands, elbows, and forearms to work on the affected areas. The therapist may require you to breathe deeply as certain tense areas are worked. The massage may cause some pain and discomfort and it is important that you make the therapist aware of when this happens. There is no need for you to suffer through soreness or pain that is outside of your comfort zone. A deep tissue massage may leave you with stiffness or pain, but this should wear off within a couple of days. The therapist may suggest that you apply ice to these areas.

Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage

Bands of painful rigid tissue called adhesions are usually found where there is chronic muscle tension or injury. These adhesions can block blood flow, leading to pain and limited movement. A deep tissue massage breaks down adhesions, relieving pain and restoring normal movement.

It is an effective treatment for injured muscles as it facilitates the removal of toxins from muscle tissue. It helps to stretch tight tissues and enhance recovery from muscle fatigue. The deep tissue massage is often used as a rehabilitative step in treating sport injuries.

A deep tissue massage is more affordable and effective at giving relief from chronic pain than most conventional medical remedies. It achieves this by increasing blood flow through the body, thereby helping to reduce inflammation that causes pain.

Persons who are recovering from surgery are urged to undergo deep tissue massage therapy as it can relieve pain and stiffness associated with scar tissue. Since the deep tissue massage improves lymphatic circulation and drainage, it leads to better flexibility and range of motion in areas where there is scar tissue inside the body. With repeated treatment, it can break up and ultimately erase scar tissue in the body.

The deep tissue massage may also improve high blood pressure by helping to ease stress and tension. It increases the body’s production of oxytocin and serotonin, hormones known to promote feelings of well-being. It is therefore useful to persons who suffer from tension headaches, stiff shoulders and tight muscles. Other conditions that may benefit from deep tissue massage therapy are osteoarthritis pain; fibromyalgia; tennis elbow; carpal tunnel syndrome; and sciatica.

While you may not be able to completely relax during the deep tissue massage session, you can rest assured that within days of the treatment you are most likely to be feeling a tremendous relief from whatever complaint caused you to seek one in the first place.

Trigger Point Therapy

Trigger point therapy is the use of various methods to relax and release trigger points in the body.

Trigger points are hypersensitive areas in muscles, tendons or connective tissue that usually are tender to the client.

The pain from a trigger point usually radiates in a distinctive pattern near or around the trigger point.  Trauma is a common cause of these points.  Trauma can be from an injury or from excessive stretching or repetitive motions.

Trigger point therapy works by relieving and relaxing these hypersensitive areas.  Often trigger points are located by the location of reported pain and by massaging an area.  Clients can often give feedback on the exact location of the point, the amount of pain experienced and when the pain has decreased due to deactivation of the point.

Trigger point therapy is especially good for people who tend to overwork their muscles.  Athletes, musicians and some workers are prone to developing trigger points.

Clients with trauma, poor posture, repetitive injuries and those who overwork particular muscles benefit from this therapy.

Massage therapists often use trigger point therapy with other forms of massage as a specific technique to relieve hypersensitive ‘knots’ in the muscles.

Physical therapists, chiropractors and medical doctors also use trigger point therapy to treat musculoskeletal problems.

Why get a massage?


Therapeutic massage is a proven remedy and health practice. From the ancient Greek gymnasia and Roman baths to modern day spas and health clubs, massage has been recognized for its health enhancing effects.

Done properly, massages: enhance health, reduce stress, relax muscles, relieve pain, and encourage relaxation. So whether you are looking to improve your sense of well being or to fix a problem area, a therapeutic massage will do wonders.


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