Massage therapy is an excellent way to improve your mental and physical well-being. Whether it’s for pain relief, stress alleviation, or injury rehabilitation, massages can have a wide range of health benefits. Sometimes, however, your massage experience may not be exactly how you wanted or imagined it to be. Maybe you had a difficult time relaxing, or perhaps the room was too hot, or the music was not to your liking; many internal and external factors can affect your massage session.
Here are some of our top tips for what you can do before, during and after a massage to make your experience the best it could be.
Specify Your Needs
When booking your massage appointment, consider what type of massage you prefer. What are the goals of your massage session? Are you hoping to achieve deep relaxation, or do you want to get rid of muscle knots with a deep tissue massage? Communicate your expectations with the staff so they can assign a suitable therapist for you.
Be Early and Be Prepared For Your Massage Appointment
Rushing and running late to your massage appointment is not a great start to your experience. We recommend arriving around 15 minutes early to your appointment so that your mind and body have time to pause, block out daily stresses and prepare for relaxation. When waiting for your therapist to come in and start the session, take a few deep breaths to clear and slow down your thoughts.
Eat Lightly Beforehand
Try to avoid eating a big meal or drinking lots of fluids right before your appointment. Laying down right after eating can cause indigestion and be uncomfortable when your therapist is pressing down your back or stomach.
Communicate!
Communication is vital when it comes to creating a great massage experience. Don’t be afraid to speak up if the therapist is putting too much or too little pressure! While you may feel some discomfort when your therapist is working on some pressure points, the session overall should not be painful. Let your therapist know how you feel so that they can adjust appropriately.
Hydrate After
It’s essential to stay hydrated after your massage session as your muscles tend to lose water from applied pressure. Proper fluid consumption will help you feel less achy and sore after therapy. It’ll also flush out all the released toxins during the massage.
If you’re looking to try massage therapy and are located in the Winnipeg area, contact Harbourview Therapy today! Our team of Registered Massage Therapists are here to help you feel good from the inside out. From relaxation and deep tissue massage to prenatal massage, each of our therapy sessions is specifically tailored to your needs and concerns. Contact our Winnipeg studio to start relaxing with us today!