Instructions
Before massage
Getting ready for massage
- Have a glass of water and avoid heavy meal.
- Light training is possible but make sure that your muscles are fully recovered from the training load.
Make up and clothes
- Make up don’t disturb the massager or massage but be aware that after the massage you may need to upgrade your make up. Also hairstyle can be bit messy after the treatment. Avoid strong perfumes; the next client can be smell sensitive or allergic for strong smells.
- Jewelers and watch are better to take of before the treatment. Take clothes of from the area, which is going to be treated. Also make sure that you are as comfortable as possible on the massage table, it may mean emptying your pockets and taking of the belt. When treating the upper body, you can take your bra of or keep them on and let the therapist open them when you are lying on the table. Therapist covers you well with the towels so you don’t get cold. Therapist also gives you further instructions if needed.
Discuss with the therapist
What do you expect for the treatment? Tell your situation and possible illnesses or injuries that may affect the treatment.
When you shouldn’t come
Most common reasons when you shouldn’t come are inflammations, acute injuries, cold, bad bruises, open wounds, hemophilia, cancer and hernia. If you aren’t sure, ask your doctor. Remember to tell the therapist your condition.
In many cases, the massage can be tailored to the patient. For example when pregnant, you can lay on your side if you can’t lie on your stomach or back.
After the massage
Relax, drink water.
- After the massage it is good to calm down. The feeling may be drowsy and light. It is a good idea to get up from the massage table and sit for a while, especially if you have a tendency to dizziness or low blood pressure.
- Massage speeds up the metabolism, so it is good to maintain fluid balance by drinking water. Remember that coffee and alcohol are diuretic. At the end of the day, you should not exercise hard or work hard physically. If you wish, you can lightly stretch the muscles of the massaged area. Often also the next day is worth taking lightly, because the muscles that are loose cannot yet perform hard.
The next day
In the next couple of days after or after the massage, you may feel headaches or a little muscle pain, depending on what the problems have been, what areas have been treated and how. Often, drinking properly will prevent headaches, but if it is not enough, taking an anti-inflammatory medicine will ease and the pain will go away on its own. If the headache starts already during the massage, tell the masseur, then he or she can still do something about it.
Not everyone gets the symptoms, but some do, and it is quite normal. If the pains are intense or lasting, it is always a good idea to contact a massage therapist or health center.
Massage effects
- Increased venous and lymphatic circulation
- Increased surface blood flow
- Pain relief
- Prevention and removal of connective tissue adhesives
- Increase in tissue temperature
- Increased elasticity of muscles and scar tissue
When the muscles are tense for a long time, the muscles’ blood circulation slows down and, in anoxic state, they start to break. Massage improves blood circulation in the muscle and thereby also removes pain. Massage not only relaxes the muscles but also increases their elasticity and removes attachments. Massage also has a central nervous system calming effect.
How often do you visit a massage therapist?
One massage may not always be enough, often few more visits are needed to treat the problem or alleviate the pain. Some clients have acute problems and then massage works best as a “course”, with several treatments in the short term. However, as a general rule, it is advisable to take a few days break between working on the same area.
Regular visits to the massage therapist are recommended and the appropriate number of massage sessions will become apparent to you over time. It is unique and influenced by many factors, whether it is treating a particular condition, etc. The load of the work and hobbies are also very important factors defining the need of massage.
