If you have recently booked a massage therapy session, then you are likely looking forward to feeling relief from muscle strains and soreness. However, you may be a bit nervous about the experience if you have no idea what to expect. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do before the treatment to make the most out of your appointment.
Eat Protein
Massage therapy is typically to help relax, soothe, and repair the soft muscle tissues across the body. There are many types of massage therapy that can be performed, but most varieties are completed to assist with the healing of a certain group of tissues after an injury or strain. Your massage therapist will use either light or firm pressure to break apart scar tissue attached to your muscles, or the pressure will release knots. This will encourage the formation of new and healthy tissues across the area.
If you want to help your body rebuild tissues and help with the healing process, make sure to eat a small meal of easily digested protein before your appointment. Eggs, quinoa, chickpeas, yogurt, nuts, and fish are few good examples. Eat your high-protein meal about two hours before your massage therapy appointment. This will allow your meal to digest. This will also prepare your body to form new muscle strains and collagen, and you can avoid the passing of gas during your massage, too, since protein rich foods can sometimes cause these issues.
Drink Plenty of Water
If your body is dehydrated, then your massage therapy appointment may not be a pleasant one. Without enough water in the body, the muscles can cramp and tighten even more. This can cause pain and tissue stress during the massage. Also, water helps to keep the skin moist and plump, and this helps the therapist to roll the skin as the tissues underneath are kneaded. Skin that is not hydrated will stick in place and lead to massage movements that are not nearly as fluid. Also, water helps to transport nutrients to your muscles so they can heal and rebuild quickly after your massage appointment.
You should always try to drink between two and three liters of water a day for optimal health. Make sure that at least one glass of water is consumed about two hours before your appointment and another about 30 minutes beforehand. Of course, make sure to use the restroom a few minutes before meeting with your therapist too, because a full bladder can be uncomfortable during a massage.
Share2 November 2015
One day, in the middle of helping my kids to clean up the house, I lifted a box weird and threw out my back. It was frustrating, but I assumed that it would go away on its own. I was wrong. After trying everything I could think of to resolve the problem, my back still hurt and I couldn't stand up straight. After a week of suffering, I made the decision to meet with a chiropractor. He inspected my back, took x-rays, and figured out that I had slipped a disc. I started a grueling physical therapy routine, but after a few days, things started to improve. Read this blog to learn more about chiropractors.
