While most people consider massage to be relaxing, remedial massage is a soft tissue massage therapy. This means that varying degrees of pressure is applied during a remedial massage, to help reduce pain and restore function to your muscles, nerves, fascia and other connective tissues in your body. Unlike other forms of massage it also enhances other systems in your body, which may have been impaired due to injury, dysfunction or overuse.
Due to the pressure and movement of muscles in remedial massaging it is important to ensure that you look after yourself after treatment. The following three tips will ensure you elevate soreness afterwards. How you spend the rest of your day or evening can determine how effective (or ineffective) your remedial massage results can be. The following three tips are important to follow after your remedial massage and will ensure that soreness the next day is alleviated.
1 – Hydrate
This is probably the most important thing to do after a massage. Ensuring that you drink plenty of water helps your body to flush out the toxins released in your massage and helps to reinvigorate itself. We recommend drinking a glass of water (500ml) directly after your massage and then no less than 500ml before you rest in the evening. Drinking coffee or alcohol is not recommended post treatment as these will dehydrate your body.
2 – Rest and Relaxation
While you may feel fantastic afterwards and ready to tackle anything life throws at you, it is important to rest and allow your muscles to adjust and rejuvenate. Adding further stress to your muscles can inflict tensions and cause more soreness.
3 – Heat
Heat is a great way to help blood flow to muscles. Try using a heat pack on your muscles to reduce swelling and bruising.
Make sure you talk to your therapist about any changes and symptoms that you feel out of the ordinary so that you can plan your next appointment accordingly.
For proper pain management, it is never a good idea to wait until the pain is advanced before you make your next booking for another remedial massage. To keep chronic pain symptoms under control, we recommend having a regular schedule of bookings. Talk to us at Mosaic Health & Fitness about a plan to best suit your symptoms and lifestyle.