Maintaining Your
Massage
Whether you get a massage weekly, monthly,
or just every once in a while, the following habits
can maximize and extend the afterglow of treatment.
 Water
One bit of advice you'll hear over and over again is
to drink plenty of water after a massage. Bodywork --
no matter the particular modality -- releases toxins,
such as lactic acid and carbonic acid, that need to
be flushed from the body. Massage also promotes circulation,
increasing blood flow and oxygen and stimulating the
lymphatic system, which helps rid the body of pathogens.
After-massage hydration supports these functions, helping
to eliminate impurities, sooner rather than later.
Stretching
Another helpful habit is stretching between massages
to maintain joint mobility, prevent muscles from tightening
up again, and keeping the life energy flowing. This
may mean doing yoga or whatever specific of full-body
stretches suggested by your practitioner. After a shiatsu
session, for example, your practitioner may recommend
"makka-ho" stretches, a series of six exercises
designed to keep energy circulating. "This series
of stretches take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes a day,
but really keep the chi flowing through the body,"
says Kallil.
Exercise
Working out can also maintain the benefits of massage,
and this habit should be continually cultivated. However,
if you're receiving massage therapy to help speed muscle
strain recovery, you may need to ease up on the exercise
for a while and give the body time to heal -- particularly
if you're recovering from a strenuous body-pummeling
training regimen. "You don't want to over-work
your body," says Kallil. That is, if running is
taking a toll, try something more gentile or meditative
such as swimming, walking, or tai chi.
Body Awareness
After a massage, respect how your body feels. If your
body seems to ask for rest, give in to that demand.
This may mean backing off the to-do list, taking it
easy, moving slower, and perhaps doing less for a while.
And don't allow yourself to get fatigued because it
will undermine the effects of massage. Get sufficient
sleep to allow the body to absorb the effects and regain
vitality.
Diet
Finally, since you've just rid the body of toxins, support
the body's renewed state by adhering to a healthy diet
rich in fruits and vegetables, which will continue the
detoxification process. Lay off the espresso and all
adrenaline-challenges for a time -- which would short-circuit
relaxation anyways - and enjoy the calm.
The benefits of massage are many, including: increasing
circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and
nutrients throughout the body; stimulating lymph flow
and boosting immunity, relaxing overused or tight muscles,
increasing joint mobility and range of motion, reducing
recovery time after strenuous workouts or surgery, and
relieving back pain and migraines, just to name a few.
By opting for a few lifestyle choices, you can extend
these benefits and get the most out of your massage. |
