Why Post Treatment Self-Care Matters

So, you are having regular massages and you want to know how to get the most out of each treatment? Read on to find out!

Just like going to the gym, having a massage is like having a mini workout for your muscles and may leave you feeling energised, tired, sore, sleepy, or even a little disoriented. But fear not, this is all a part of the body's natural healing process as it takes time to adjust to the changes and rebuild. Here's where self-care comes in!

Too often after a massage we may return home to stressors or demands that lead us to unintentionally switch off from the body’s recovery process. If we are not mindful, this could potentially undo the benefits received from the treatment, or even increase the risk of injury.

Here are a few key self-care practices to consider after your next treatment.

🌿 Bring relaxation into your home: Creating a relaxing environment conducive to rest, reflection and deep sleep can have long lasting effects on your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This could involve reducing stimulus such as screen time and dedicating personal time to oneself. This gives the body a better chance of recovery.

Massage supports this type of environment by creating a foundation of relaxation that can be felt long after a treatment. It further contributes by supporting the release of hormones serotonin and oxytocin to help aid in sleep, while helping to lighten things up in your system by detoxifying metabolic waste stored in the tissues.

🌿 Take it easy: Keeping things light for a few days allows time for the body to repair the microscopic tears in muscle tissue from massage, just like from a workout. This is crucial for optimum tissue health. It also helps to reduce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and speeds up the muscle repair and rebuilding process. Consider putting off projects at home that require lifting or over exertion for a few days until your body is ready to tackle them with more ease.

🌿 Keep the body nourished: Nutrition and hydration play a key role in supporting the body with the resources it needs to complete the deeper restorative work through absorption and elimination processes.

🌿 Let your body adapt to changes in its own time: Some will feel tired for days, others energised and rejuvenated. This is because we are all at different places on our health journey. In any case, be mindful of your energy levels and discern what is right for you, whether that be more rest or light exercise. Keep in mind, massage is likely to increase the range of motion of joints which can also take time for the body to adjust to. Awareness of the body’s signals of fatigue may become easier after treatment, so listening to your body is vital in deciding which steps you take next and when.

🌿 Light exercise, when ready: It may be just a day or several before you feel ready to exercise. However, directly after a massage, gentle movement such as walking is recommended as it reduces stagnation in the body and helps further provide blood flow to the areas that were worked on. On average a day or two after treatment, gentle aerobic exercise is recommended for optimum recovery. Return to a more intensive exercise when you feel you have the strength to do so without fatigue, pain or injury. Too soon and you can damage what is in repair!

🌿 And if it resonates: Follow recommendations from the therapist. Depending on what has transpired in the treatment, the therapist may offer some instruction on how to prevent the same problems from reoccurring. These offerings may not only help your condition, but show insight as to how your body functions and what may work for you and your lifestyle.