How to make the most of your massage before and after
1. Give yourself a little extra time if you can. Getting to your appointment on time (or even a little early) will avoid the feeling of being rushed, this way your body will relax faster once your on the table.
If you are late, please don't get all stressed out, we have a flexible time table.
2. Breathe. Throughout the massage, breathe slowly and deeply using your diaphragm. The easiest way to do this is to imagine you have a beach ball in your stomach. When you inhale the beach ball inflates, expanding your tummy, and when you exhale, the ball deflates. The chest and shoulders should move very little. This will help you relax and creates better oxygen exchange.
3. Communicate. Be sure to communicate with your therapist. Let her/him know how much pressure you like, when to use less and when to use more. Remember: its your massage so make sure you enjoy it.
4. Let go. Give yourself permission to let go of stress and tight areas. Allow yourself to soften more and more into the table with each exhale. Allow yourself to feel good.
5. Stay present. Yes, life and all its issues are still there. But try to distance yourself from it while you're receiving your massage. When outside thoughts stray into your mind, acknowledge that they are there and that you will address them after the massage. Then refocus on the sensations in your body. In fact, when you can do this you'll find that when you get back to everyday life, you're even more capable of dealing with all there is to deal with.
6. Listen. Listen to your body by focusing on the area(s) being worked on and then scan your whole body for areas that may be holding tension. Once you find these areas, let them go.
7.Take your time. After your massage, take a walk outside, breathe some fresh air or sit down in a break room and clear your mind before going right back to the grind stone. Enjoy the way you are feeling.
8. Drink water. When you get massaged, toxins are washed out of your muscles and into your blood stream. Drinking lots of water before and after your massage will help cleanse your body of those toxins. And NO, a soft drink or coffee decaf or not, does not count!
9. Breathe.
