Self-Care – Looking After Yourself Between Massages

Imagine the luxury of enjoying a daily massage. Unfortunately, for many, the constraints of time and budget make such a routine impractical. However, we can maximize the benefits of our massage treatments by maintaining self-care practices between sessions.

Drink water

Your therapist provides a refreshing cup of cool water following a treatment to aid in hydrating your body and maintaining muscle relaxation. Water benefits both your skin and muscles, and staying hydrated can also help prevent headaches. Continue drinking water throughout the day to prevent dehydration.

Keep Stretching

This is a common issue, but there is a straightforward solution. If you experience aches and tightness after a workday, consider incorporating stretching into your routine. By making stretching a regular part of your daily activities, you can alleviate muscle aches and soreness, and enhance the longevity of your massage benefits.

Between sessions, stretching effectively supports the relaxation achieved during your treatment. The timing of your stretches is flexible, as long as it becomes consistent practice. Stretching should never cause pain, so avoid overexertion. Gradually easing into stretches and holding them for at least a minute will yield better results than shorter, more intense stretches.

Epsom Salts

Epsom salt baths are effective for alleviating muscle aches and stiff joints, as they contain magnesium, which also aids in stress relief. To avoid soreness following a massage, incorporate Epsom salts into your bath as instructed and unwind.

Hot and Cold Compress

Between massage sessions, you may begin to notice a build-up of tension. Address this promptly with heat therapy. Applying heat can soothe aching muscles and alleviate tightness and tension. Additionally, heat can enhance and stimulate blood flow to the affected area. Consider using a heat pad or warming a damp towel in the microwave, checking the temperature at 30-second intervals.

If you sustain an injury between massage sessions, consider using cold therapy to alleviate pain. Cold therapy is effective for strains, sprains, and other minor injuries. If you are uncertain or experiencing significant pain, consult your healthcare provider.

For severe pain and/or swelling, use a cold pack, or alternatively, a frozen bottle of water or a bag of frozen vegetables, wrapped in a towel to prevent cold burns. If using a frozen bottle as a cold pack, a thick sock serves as an effective barrier. For sore feet, try rolling the frozen bottle underfoot. You may alternate between hot and cold therapy but ensure there is a period in between to allow your body to adjust.

Lastly, it is crucial to incorporate massage sessions into your regular self-care routine. If you are uncertain about the frequency of massages needed, consult your therapist. They can advise if additional sessions or maintenance care are necessary and will tailor the massage to suit your specific needs.