There are many factors to think about when it comes to getting a massage. In order to get the full benefits of a spa treatment, it is important to remember a few things about your actions before and after. Well & Being Spa Director Grant Lessard shares with us his best tips on how to enjoy your massage to the fullest while also reaping the benefits.
BEFORE YOUR TREATMENT
Preparing for your treatment is just as important as the actually treatment. So, what should you do before your massage to get the most out of it?
Allowing yourself to take the proper amount of time and fully experience the treatment is key. When we rush in to get a massage and then rush right back out into our hectic lives the treatment has a diminished effect, part of the experience should be to take your time, to literally slow down. Also, if the facility has hydro and thermos therapy options such as warm and cold plunge pools, steam or dry saunas all of these will help to improve your results.
Avoiding diuretics such as coffee and alcohol, and drinking plenty of fresh water will help the body to stay hydrated and help process / eliminate metabolic wastes that will be flushed out of tissues during the treatment.
Showering is a courtesy all therapists will appreciate, but it will also help create the ritual of slowing down and going into the treatment with intent, and is a step that we can take to contribute to the experience. A lot of the time people come to health care providers or therapists and want them to “fix” the problem, but it’s a team effort and the provider can only do so much, ultimately, we are responsible for our own health and well-being.
AFTER YOUR TREATMENT
Now that you’ve completed your relaxing treatment, you want to take all the necessary precautions in order to allow your treatment to take full effect and last as long as possible.
Hydration is key and it’s something most of use need regardless, but athletes in particular need to pay attention to their water intake. Electrolytes such as magnesium, calcium and potassium are depleted during strenuous physical activity so a healthy balanced diet supplemented with minerals can be a game changer for those not already addressing this area of nutrition.
Depending on the type of massage provided you could literally go straight into your favorite sport or activity, or you may need a day or two of recovery. Not everyone needs “deep tissue” massage, deep is really a misnomer. “Deep” is a perception of depth by the client. Often people think they want a deep massage because they think it’s the only effective type, but nothing could be further from the truth. My advice would be to speak to your therapist about your actual needs and goals and come up with an effective treatment plan together.
Now that you know how to properly prepare for a massage and how to properly take care of yourself after your treatment, it’s time to relax! Book your next spa day here, and this time, change your routine to incorporate some of these tips. Note the differences when you prepare for a massage and how much better you feel after.