When you receive a massage, your body’s muscles may respond as if they were just doing a strenuous work out for the last hour. People who receive massage less often are more likely to experience this feeling than those who are on a regular massage schedule. Remember, when you start a new work out, your body’s muscles need time to adjust and as you continue to work out you become less sore. It is the same with massage. The more you come the more pleasant the experience and the better the benefit. A licensed massage therapist will provide you with a more thorough massage than your friend or partner would. As trained professionals, we have ways of finding knots and spasms in your muscles and are great at releasing them. When we release these areas of tension we bring blood to the injured tissues creating a space for inflammation to occur and toxins to be released into the blood stream. Because of this response you may experience delayed onset muscle soreness and may feel sore for 24-48 hours. If soreness persists for more than 48 hours please contact your doctor and let your massage therapist know right away.
To minimize soreness and maximize the benefits of the massage please do the following:
- Keep yourself hydrated by drinking water.
- Avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Give your body healthy food and drinks.
- Do some light exercise/stretching for the whole body.
- Apply heat or take a warm bath. However, if you received massage/Chinese cupping or aromatherapy please do not apply any heat to the body. If you received aromatherapy we want the essential oils to soak into your skin for you to receive the maximum benefits of the oils.
- Ice any area that was massaged extensively. This is especially important when receiving deep tissue, ashiatsu, trigger point or myofascial massage.
- Ask your massage therapist for self massage release techniques that you can do in between your sessions. Foam rollers are a must for at home care.
Sometimes after a massage session some people may feel emotional. Your body has memories and we store many emotions within our tissues and these emotions can be released during and after a massage, especially if you have been under a lot of stress or are dealing with chronic pain. This is completely normal and you should allow these emotions to surface during or after the massage. Embrace them.
Please call our office if you have any questions or concerns after your massage. We are always here.
