Curious things you may not know about massage + bodywork - before, during and after.
Updated: Nov 3, 2019
Many people view massage as a luxury, but the truth is, it's a necessity for a properly functioning body, mind + spirit. As a massage practitioner, it is my duty to help educate and empower my clients in self-care. Here are some interesting facts to build your general knowledge:
Massage therapy is one of the oldest forms of medical care known to history.
Massage can help you sleep better.
Massage induces the release of endorphins, and helps reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
When your back hurts, that might not be the only area that needs massage. Sometimes back pain comes from the hip, legs or even the abdomen. Likewise, sometimes hand and arm pain is caused by dysfunction in the neck and shoulder.
You can stop a massage session at any time. At any time during a massage you can say "no", "stop", or even "can you just work on my neck for the rest of the time and skip everything else?" If you are uncomfortable or feel like the therapist isn't hearing your feedback, you can end it.
Massage can help your mood. It's been shown to be helpful in treating both anxiety and depression. Massage also bolsters your immunity.
Breathing fully during a massage helps the body reap all the benefits, aiding tense muscles and sending oxygen rich blood to your muscles.
The benefits of massage are best when bodywork is received consistently and often. Consider massage as a part of your long-term wellness routine. You are always breathing, moving, living. Therefore, regular bodywork will help keep your muscles loose and further diminishes chance for injury. Here, "More is More."
Rehydrate! Drinking plenty of water post-massage is essential to keeping your muscles hydrated.
It's best not to eat a full meal before getting on the table. Massage helps promote healthy digestion. So, easy on the food and drink before your massage.
That being said, it's perfectly normal and not uncommon for your belly to rumble or folks to pass gas. Please don't be embarrassed.
Deep tissue massage doesn't need to be painful to be effective. Remember this. Run from any practitioner who insists there needs to be pain in a treatment.
Scars are living tissues that may be changed dramatically with massage and bodywork no matter how old they are. And they can be affecting you in places farther away from the visible scar than you'd ever suspect.
It's more than fine to focus on certain areas of discomfort and not always get a full body session. If you only want your arms massaged, that's okay, too. This is your time.
Gentle stretching after your massage is best. Easy on extreme work outs for 24-48 hours.
Your massage therapist loves feedback. We like to know if you hate having your feet touched, and if you love having your hands or glutes worked on. We like knowing your musical preference, if you prefer to start face down or face up, and your ideal table temperature.
Always know, the face cradle is adjustable... bolsters, too.
Do you have other thoughts or questions about massage? There's more to learn.
I am here to help! Contact me at studioharborashi@mail.com or ask at your next appointment.
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