January 2020

NEW BEGINNINGS

The new year and new decade can bring both new challenges and new opportunities for growth! 
If you are beginning the year with a massage therapy session--you may want to think about these ideas in the hours after your massage:

1. Drink extra water (if increased fluids are OK with your health conditions). During a massage, circulation is improved, which helps flush irritating waste products from stressed muscles and other tissues. Drinking water aids the functioning of the whole body including the circulation and the kidneys, which are both involved with relieving the body of waste products. Drinking extra water also seems to help reduce soreness and fatigue after a massage. 

2. Schedule time to take it easy after your massage. Rest if you feel the need. If you can--take a nap or get to bed early. If you haven't been sleeping well, receiving massage may relax you enough that you will want to turn in and catch up.

3. If the focus of your massage is on a particular injury or body part, remember to stretch, ice, or apply heat to that area with the advice of your physician and massage therapist. Or, you may want to do some gentle movement--such as walking, sometime in the hours after your massage to encourage your muscles to work in a balanced and efficient way. 

4. People sometimes experience some soreness for 24 hours or so after a massage. If you do feel sore or think that you might, stretch gently in a warm shower or take a warm bath with Epsom salts--again according to your physician's recommendations. And remember to tell your massage therapist about your experience so it can be taken into consideration in your next session.

Happy New Year!

Client Education Handouts for Self Care. Information for People