Making the Most of Your Massage Treatments
Making the Most of Your Massage Treatments
Wouldn’t it be amazing if we could have a massage every day of the week? Sadly, most of us don’t have the time or the money to indulge in such a regular massage routine, but we can make the most of massage treatments by doing this self-care between massages.
First – drink water!
There’s a reason why your therapist gives you a refreshing glass of cool water after a massage treatment; it’s to help hydrate your body and keep your muscles relaxed. Water is excellent for your skin and strengths, and staying hydrated can help prevent headaches.
Epsom Salts to get the most out of your massage treatments
Epsom salt baths are great for keeping any muscle aches and stiff joints at bay – they contain magnesium which is also suitable for relieving stress. To prevent soreness after a massage, add Epsom salts to your bath and relax.
Keep up the stretching.
It’s a widespread problem, but there’s a straightforward solution. If you are one of the many people who feel achy and tight after a day at work, stretch!
Including stretching in your daily routine will help you with any muscle aches and soreness and cause your massage’s effects to last longer. In between massage treatments, having a good stretch helps support the work done to relax your muscles on the treatment table. It doesn’t matter when you fit your bits in, as long as you make it a habit.
Stretches shouldn’t ever hurt, so don’t overdo it. Easing into stretches gently and holding them for at least a minute will give you better results than shorter, deeper stretches.
Feeling hot and cold.
Between massage treatments, you might start feeling that tell-tale build-up of tension – nip it in the bud with heat therapy. Applying heat can help soothe aching muscles and relieve tightness and tension. Heat can also improve and stimulate blood flow to the area. Try a heating pad, or heat a damp towel in the microwave using 30-second intervals to check the temperature.
If you injure yourself in between massage sessions, try using cold therapy to numb the pain. Cold therapy is good for strains, sprains, and other minor injuries (if you’re unsure, or are in severe pain, see your healthcare provider).
For severe pain and swelling, take a cold pack (or you can use a frozen bottle of water or even frozen vegetables in a bag) and wrap it in a towel to avoid cold burns. A thick sock works as a barrier if you’re using a frozen bottle as a cold pack. If you’ve been overdoing it and have sore feet, try rolling the frozen bottle under your foot. You can alternate between hot and cold therapy but always leave a period in between for your body to adjust.
Get a regular massage treatment.
One last and essential tip; make your massage treatments part of your regular self-care routine. If you’re unsure about how often you need a massage, the best person to ask is your therapist. She will know if you need extra sessions or a maintenance care massage. She also knows and will ensure your massage is tailored to your needs. Call us or book online to experience the best massage treatment our licensed therapist can offer.
Brilliant Massage & Skin
Burlington, Vermont
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