Taking care of yourself is one of the most important things you can do for your career as a massage therapist. This helps prevent burnout and injury, ensuring you can provide quality service to your clients for the duration of your career.
Hydration is key to post-massage recovery. It also helps flush out toxins. Light dynamic and static stretches help ease muscle aches.
1. Stay Hydrated
Drinking water is important for all of us on a regular basis as it promotes muscle elasticity, protects internal organs, regulates body temperature, and dissolves nutrients. However, it becomes even more essential after a sports massage because the kneading of muscles dehydrates them.
This means that re-hydrating the muscles with water is essential for them to bounce back quickly and reduce soreness. It is also an excellent way to prevent the development of DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) symptoms.
When a sports massage manipulates the soft tissue it can stimulate the lymphatic system, which helps to process the naturally occurring toxins and waste products our bodies produce. Drinking plenty of water helps the body remove these substances efficiently and prevents them from building up in the muscles which can cause pain and discomfort.
2. Stay Active
A good sports massage will release tense, stiff muscles and restore their full range of motion. It also promotes oxygen flow to the affected area, easing muscle soreness and reducing delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS). This is especially important for athletes who must maintain a rigorous training schedule and can’t afford prolonged downtime between sessions.
Generally, it is best to avoid strenuous exercise for a day or two after a sports massage. This allows the body to adapt to its new ‘muscle image’, correcting imbalances and realigning posture.
Nonetheless, light activity and stretching is highly recommended as part of a post-massage recovery routine. This will help the muscles to recover and improve flexibility, further improving performance in the long run. Remember: if you are in pain, it is not a good idea to exercise.
3. Don’t Overdo It
The most common self care tip we offer to clients is to drink lots of water. This is because a sports massage creates sports massage for beginners - session pricing biomechanical changes in the body, causing muscles to stretch and lengthen. This can cause muscle imbalances and even slight bruising. It’s important to give the body a chance to adjust to these changes before going to the gym or participating in strenuous activities.
It is also a good idea to avoid strenuous exercise for 12-24 hours after a sports massage, despite how great the client may feel. While some gentle movement is OK, a lot of heavy lifting or intense exercise will actually revert the muscles back into a tense state and nullify any benefits of the massage. Instead, try to schedule a sports massage on a day when you can sit down and relax afterwards.
4. Be Patient
Most people will agree that proper care after treatment boosts muscle recovery and affects how long the results last. Proper hydration, light movement and dynamic stretching are the best ways to ensure you get the most out of your treatment.
Drinking water is especially important after a sports massage because the process of massaging muscles increases circulation, flushing out lactic acid and other metabolic waste that create knots. This can lead to dehydration if you don’t drink enough water, so make sure to stay hydrated.
Finally, it’s important to be patient when it comes to your recovery. It takes time for your muscles and tissue to heal and adapt to the trauma you experienced during the massage, so don’t push yourself too hard. The reward of a rejuvenated, stronger body will be worth the extra time to rest and recover.
5. Contact Your Therapist
Whether you’re an elite athlete or a weekend warrior, regular sports massages can improve muscle flexibility and recovery, as well as prevent or heal injuries. But in order to get the most benefit from your massage, there are some things that you need to keep in mind.
For example, it’s important to drink plenty of water after your session. This will help replace the fluid lost during your massage and promote detoxification. It’s also a good idea to avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks, which can cause further dehydration.
Lastly, it’s important to contact your therapist if you have any questions or concerns after your treatment. They will be happy to assist you. So if you’re ready to get started with sports massages, contact Revamp today!
