5 things that will help you get the most out of your massage treatment - Part 1 for the patients
- movemethics
- Oct 7, 2024
- 3 min read
It is not just your therapist's hands that do the magic. You are in charge too! What you do influences the treatment and how long the positive effects of it will last. Here are some hacks and pointers that when incorporated, may genuinely change the game of your treatments.
Breathing
Sports massage aims to target adhesions (what people refer to as knots), tensed up muscles and soft tissue areas, it uses increased pressure to get to the deeper layers of the soft tissues and if you ever had a sports massage you know it's not the most pleasant hour(-ish) of your time. Deep inhales into the area of tension and long exhales focused on maximum relaxation of that area make an unbelievable difference to the outcome of the treatment. They help the therapist do their job.
Sounds
The deep inhales and exhales can be enhanced by sound. My patients are often affraid of making a noise while their body in squeezed and pressed quite hard because they are embarrased (at least that's the conception of Western Cultures). Yet, the good deep and long sound of relief enlarges your exhale and helps loosen the tension. So next time you feel like making a sound during the treatment, just let it out. Your therapist should not take any offence to it and it may also be a good indicator to them what area needs more attention or is particularly tight.
Micromovements
People often remain extremely still during massage. Yet small movement alongside a soft tissue work (aka the massage) may help with restoring mobility in the joints. Sometimes the therapist will passively move your limbs during the treatment to work with tight fascia and muscles, in these moments do your best not to resist it or 'help it' by holding the positions. Keep the body relaxed and let the therapist passively take you through it.
Hydration
One of the important post-massage cues. During the soft tissue treatments, the deep strokes performed by the therapist provoke the movement of not only the blood but also the lymph. One of the tasks of lymph is collecting debris and toxins from cells and tissues and guide them to nodes and glands that filter the fluid. Staying hydrated assists lymph with its important detoxifying task. You allow for the benefits of massage to last longer while hydrating so go on and drink that glass! Alcohol and processed sugar contribute to dehydration so you should avoid those after your treatment.
Post-massage maintenance
Another point often skipped by massage therapist is advising you to stay mobile after the massge. Every single joint in our body has (or had in the past) the ability to move. We are literally made to move. It's not a surprise then that prolonged periods of immobility (sitting in front of the desk in the same position for hours) eventually lead to aches, pains and injuries. So roll on that foamroller, do that extra stretch in the morning, join that Pilates class in your area and see how your body returns the favour!
Remember these next time you book your treatment. These are all instinctive steps and behaviours so just allow your instincts to kick in - breathe, sing and sigh, allow yourself to be moved, drink some water and then move some more!
And just know that if you are in need - Movemethics got you! Book your treatment today!
With Love,
Angie
Bibliography: 1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10302181/
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