Massage therapy is a powerful tool for relaxation, pain relief, and overall wellbeing. Whether you’ve booked a session to relieve stress, alleviate muscle tension, or recover from an injury, the benefits of massage can be long-lasting—if you take the right steps after your treatment.
While massage therapists work wonders by easing tight muscles, improving circulation, and promoting relaxation, your actions after the session can significantly influence how effective your massage will be. To help you get the most out of your massage experience, we’ve put together a guide on how to optimise your massage treatment and what you should avoid doing post-session to ensure the best results.
1. Avoid Strenuous Exercise
After a deep tissue or therapeutic massage, your muscles have been loosened and worked on, so it’s important to avoid putting them under strain immediately after. Intense physical activity such as running, lifting weights, or doing high-impact sports can undo the benefits of your massage by causing unnecessary muscle tension or soreness.
Instead, opt for light activities like walking or gentle stretching, but avoid vigorous workouts for at least 24 hours. This allows your body to recover and enjoy the full benefits of improved circulation and muscle relaxation.
2. Don’t Skip Hydration
One of the most important things you can do after a massage is to stay hydrated. Massage helps stimulate circulation and flush out toxins that accumulate in the muscles. Drinking plenty of water will help support this process and prevent dehydration.
Without proper hydration, you may experience increased muscle soreness or stiffness after the massage. To maximize the healing effects of your session, drink water throughout the day, ideally immediately after the treatment and then consistently afterward.
3. Avoid Hot Showers or Baths
While a warm bath may sound appealing after a massage, it’s best to avoid hot showers or baths immediately following the treatment. After your muscles have been manipulated, they are more relaxed and vulnerable to overstretching or injury. Hot water can cause further relaxation, potentially leading to inflammation or swelling in treated areas.
Instead, opt for a lukewarm shower to gently cleanse your body. If you enjoy a hot bath, wait a few hours after the massage to allow your body to stabilise before indulging.
4. Don’t Engage in Stressful Activities
Massage therapy is designed to calm your nervous system and promote relaxation. To make sure the effects last, it’s important to avoid stressful activities after the session, such as difficult work tasks, heavy discussions, or mentally taxing situations.
Try to engage in calming activities after your massage, like reading, meditating, or taking a leisurely walk. By keeping stress levels low, you help your body maintain the relaxation achieved during your treatment.
5. Avoid Sitting for Long Periods
Prolonged sitting, especially in poor posture, can reverse the benefits of your massage by creating new tension in your muscles. After your session, try to avoid sitting for long periods. If you must sit, be mindful of your posture and consider taking regular breaks to stretch or stand up.
If you work at a desk or have a long commute, make sure to get up every 30 minutes, walk around, or stretch lightly to prevent stiffness from setting in.
6. Don’t Ignore Post-Massage Recommendations
Our massage therapists often provide personalised advice to help enhance the benefits of the treatment. Whether it’s a specific stretch, a change in posture, or recommended exercises, it’s important to follow the guidance given by your therapist. Ignoring their suggestions can lead to missed opportunities for continued improvement, and it may hinder your recovery if you’ve had the massage for a specific issue.
Ask your therapist for post-massage advice, especially if you are dealing with chronic pain, injury, or mobility issues. Simple adjustments to your routine, like incorporating daily stretches, can make a significant difference in the healing process.
7. Avoid Overworking Your Body
Although it’s tempting to return to your usual routine, be mindful of your body’s response to the massage. Don’t overwork yourself or push your body too hard in the hours following treatment. If you’re feeling particularly relaxed, take it easy and give yourself time to truly benefit from the session.
Doing too much too soon can lead to muscle soreness or even injury, particularly if your body is still adjusting to the improved circulation and released tension. Listen to your body and take things at a comfortable pace.
8. Don’t Skip Rest
Just like any other therapeutic treatment, rest is a key component of the recovery process. After a massage, your body needs time to fully absorb the benefits and relax. Avoid staying overly active right after your session, and try to incorporate rest into your day. Taking a short nap or simply lying down in a relaxed position can help your body process the massage and extend its positive effects.
Final Thoughts
A massage is more than just a moment of indulgence—it’s a therapeutic treatment that can offer significant benefits for your physical and mental health. To optimize the results of your session and ensure lasting relief, it’s important to follow the proper aftercare guidelines.
By avoiding activities like intense exercise, prolonged sitting, or hot showers, and by staying hydrated and allowing your body to rest, you can enhance the benefits of your massage and enjoy better overall wellbeing.
So, next time you book a massage, remember that what you do after the treatment is just as important as the treatment itself. Your body will thank you for it!