"Heavy Massage" photo by François Rejetéis licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

What can I do to make my massage amazing?

In my previous blog, I gave you some tips on things you can do AFTER your massage to keep you feeling good for longer. However, to get the most out of your massage there are some things you can do in the days and hours leading up to your massage to make your treatment more effective and enjoyable.

Make your appointment at a good time for you.

If you have to speed to get to your appointment it will get adrenaline pumping through your body and will be counterproductive to relaxation. Try to schedule your massage so you can get there with 10 minutes to spare, just in case.

Hydrate yourself.

Hydration is a way of life and, realistically, it’s best to not wait for a massage to get your body hydrated. If you aren’t a fan of drinking plain, boring water some other options include herbal teas, sparkling water (not soda, just to be clear), or increasing your fruit and vegetable intake.

Take a hot shower.

One of the best ways to get your body ready for massage is with a nice hot shower that makes you not only smell better (yay!), but the warmth helps get your muscles on the way to relaxation, kind of like a pre-game warm-up. And on the hygiene note, feel free to brush your teeth or use a mint before treatment.

Don’t eat a big meal right before your appointment.

If it isn’t possible to schedule your appointment so it doesn’t fall around a meal time I would suggest either eating a snack or only part of your meal beforehand so you can lie comfortably on the table and not have to feel self-conscious about the sound of your food digesting. Eating an hour before your appointment is ideal, so you aren’t hungry or over-full.

Use the bathroom before your appointment.

Whether you feel like you have to go or not it is always a good idea to try to use the restroom before your appointment. It’s really hard to relax when your bladder is screaming at you for an hour.

Communicate with your massage therapist.

Communication is the key to an amazing massage. When your massage therapist takes you back for your appointment let them know where your problem spots are and tell them what you like and don’t like during a massage. Massage therapists are very intuitive but they are not mind readers, so if you don’t like what is happening or if something about the environment is uncomfortable, a good massage therapist will be happy to fix it for you, as long as you tell them what it is.

Now, go prepare yourself for your next massage. See you soon!