From stress reduction to improved energy and circulation, the benefits of full body massage are plenty—especially for people who engage in strenuous physical activities. Nothing feels better than relieving body pain and tightening muscles with a soothing massage session. The quality of that experience, however, isn’t guaranteed, as several factors can influence it. If you want to make the most out of your massage experience, consider following these steps.

Hydrate Before and After an Appointment

Before going to your appointment, it’s essential to hydrate and drink plenty of water. The act of kneading and working muscles gets fluid pumping out of your soft tissues and into your circulatory system, where it heads toward your kidneys. This is the reason why there is a strong urge to pee right after the session.

To avoid getting dehydrated, you need to drink plenty of water before and after the massage to replenish what you lost.

Wear Loose and Comfortable Clothing

When preparing for a therapeutic massage, you must wear suitable clothing. Contrary to popular belief, relaxation actually starts even before the massage. You need to set your mind and your body to the feeling of relaxation.

Start with wearing loose, comfortable clothing. Right before the session starts, you will be asked to undress, and it would make the process a lot easier if you’re wearing comfortable clothes.

Communicate Your Goals to Your Therapist

You booked an appointment with your therapist for a reason, either for relaxation or relief from the pain you feel on your body. Making the most out of your massage requires you to be clear and straightforward about what you feel in your body.

Aside from that, if you have any allergies to certain substances, you need to let the therapist know about them right away. The oils and lotions that they use may have some adverse effects on your skin if they are unaware of your allergies. Feeling any discomfort from the massage will also help the therapist gauge the right pressure to apply to your body.

Remember to Breathe Normally

As the therapist works on loosening your muscles, you need to practice normal breathing to achieve maximum relaxation. Most people hold their breath or try to control it while the therapist is working with your muscles. It might be because they’re nervous, or they anticipate pain from the therapist’s touch.

Avoid controlling your breathing as it often contracts your muscles more, making them harder to loosen.

Relax Your Muscles and Your Mind

What people fail to realize is that they can only achieve relaxation based on the therapist’s skill. While there is some truth to that, setting your mind to relax plays a significant role in influencing your experience. You need to initiate the feeling of relaxation when preparing for the massage in order to achieve optimal relief after the session. If you don’t set your mind and allow yourself to relax, the entire session will be rendered useless.

Conclusion

Visiting a therapist for a massage session is a time for discovery and a time to connect with yourself. It’s as much therapy for the mind as it is for your body! For this reason, you need to make preparations to ensure that you experience complete and absolute relaxation after a soothing session.

Alleviate the pain in your body with the help of a qualified massage therapist from Centre Street Physiotherapy & Wellness. We provide the very best biomechanical assessment, therapy, rehabilitation, and complimentary general healthcare. Through body massage, acupuncture, and treatment, we provide an exceptional level of care to make you feel better. Book an appointment today!