Preparing For Your Massage
Make the most of your massage by following these guildlines.
Pre - Massage
Discuss any recent surgeries or injuries you may have with your masseuse beforehand. This is very important to avoid further exacerbating the injury.
Try to have a long hot shower before your massage. This is a “pre-relaxation” technique so you’re less tense during the massage.
Avoid eating a big meal right before your massage. However, don’t starve yourself or this could result in you feeling light-headed and dizzy. Eating a light meal two or so hours before will help sustain you without making you uncomfortable during your massage.
During Your Massage
Relax. Especially if it’s your first time, you may understandably, be a little uncomfortable. However, there’s no need to tense up. In fact, this will make it more difficult for the masseuse to find your real problem areas and work those knots out.
Speak to your masseuse. A Swedish massage shouldn’t necessarily be a painful or uncomfortable experience. If something feels great, tell your masseuse; if something hurts, ask them to reduce the pressure.
During your massage take deep breaths. Not only does it encourage relaxation, especially when your masseuse is working through a tight knot, but helps to ease the slight discomfort by getting oxygen into your bloodstream and to those tight muscles.
Post - Massage
Drink tons of water. During your massage, similar to a workout, your muscle tissues tends to get dehydrated. Hydrating after your massage helps to rebuild healthy tissue and flush toxins.
Have a snack. Since a good massage will tend to speed up your digestive system and it is not advised that you eat anything heavy before, it is likely that you’ll feel a bit peckish afterwards. Similarly, you will need to fuel your body to assist with muscle tissue repair.
