How to Get the BEST Massage for You
Massage therapy is one of the oldest methods of health care still in practice. It involves use of different manipulative techniques to move your body's muscles and soft tissues. The therapy aims to improve blood circulation in the muscles, increasing the flow of nutrients and eliminating waste products. Massage can reduce your heart rate, relax your muscles, improve range of motion in your joints, and increase production of your body's natural painkillers. It helps relieve stress and anxiety. Although massage is almost always safe, avoid it if you have open sores, acute inflammation, or circulatory problems.
Once you have decided to try massage, there are several things you can do to increase the likelihood that you will receive the best massage for you.
> First: Educate yourself. Find out if massage is right for your particular health concern. Ask your doctor. Google "massage" + your specific condition, such as diabetes or pain. Know the precautions for yourself.
> Find a good massage therapist. Get recommendations from friends. Make sure the therapist is licensed. Training and experience vary widely in the profession, so you may have to shop around to find the best one for you. Ask the therapist how often they get a massage. (I get one every 2-3 weeks.) You want a therapist who believes in what they do. (I do!)
> Inform your massage therapist. Discuss with them your medical history, medications and medical conditions you are currently being treated for, and any pain and/or other problems you have recently been experiencing.
> If possible, schedule your massage when you can relax for a short period afterwards. Your body will continue to relax, if you let it. Many threapists will travel to a client's home (often requiring personal references) for a small extra fee.
> Don't worry about what your body looks like. Massage therapists are healthcare professionals and are there to help you. They see all types of bodies and won't judge you for yours.
> Give the therapist feedback, both during and after the massage. Let them know what feels especially good. Speak up if you feel uncomfortable for any reason.
> Drink lots of water after a massage. Although your body is used to the toxins (wastes of muscle metabolism) that are released during a massage, there is always more in your blood after a massage than before, and your kidneys need help filtering them out.
> Schedule regular massages. The benefits of bodywork, especially Trigger Point Therapy for pain relief, are cumulative. Getting massages on a regular basis prevents the therapeutic effects from from having to start all over from scratch every time. More stress is always on the way! Make a healthy plan to take care of yourself, and stick with it.
Once you have decided to try massage, there are several things you can do to increase the likelihood that you will receive the best massage for you.
> First: Educate yourself. Find out if massage is right for your particular health concern. Ask your doctor. Google "massage" + your specific condition, such as diabetes or pain. Know the precautions for yourself.
> Find a good massage therapist. Get recommendations from friends. Make sure the therapist is licensed. Training and experience vary widely in the profession, so you may have to shop around to find the best one for you. Ask the therapist how often they get a massage. (I get one every 2-3 weeks.) You want a therapist who believes in what they do. (I do!)
> Inform your massage therapist. Discuss with them your medical history, medications and medical conditions you are currently being treated for, and any pain and/or other problems you have recently been experiencing.
> If possible, schedule your massage when you can relax for a short period afterwards. Your body will continue to relax, if you let it. Many threapists will travel to a client's home (often requiring personal references) for a small extra fee.
> Don't worry about what your body looks like. Massage therapists are healthcare professionals and are there to help you. They see all types of bodies and won't judge you for yours.
> Give the therapist feedback, both during and after the massage. Let them know what feels especially good. Speak up if you feel uncomfortable for any reason.
> Drink lots of water after a massage. Although your body is used to the toxins (wastes of muscle metabolism) that are released during a massage, there is always more in your blood after a massage than before, and your kidneys need help filtering them out.
> Schedule regular massages. The benefits of bodywork, especially Trigger Point Therapy for pain relief, are cumulative. Getting massages on a regular basis prevents the therapeutic effects from from having to start all over from scratch every time. More stress is always on the way! Make a healthy plan to take care of yourself, and stick with it.
