Before

1. Start hydrating at least 24 hours before your appointment. Staying hydrated makes it easier for your body to flush out toxins. Well-hydrated tissue is also easier to work with.

2. Shower if possible and use the bathroom if needed. Warm water will help loosen your muscles and prepare your body to receive the massage well.

3. Wear loose or stretchy, comfortable clothing- especially if you are booking for a Chair Massage or Traditional Thai massage.

4. Know your goals. Do you just want to relax? Are you recovering from an injury? Do you want detailed work in a specific area. Let me know so I can address your concerns.

5. To prevent bloating and nausea while laying down, do not eat large meals within 2 hours of your appointment. Snacks and water are OK.

6. Light stretching before your massage will help loosen your muscles and get things moving.

During

1. Breathe slow, steady, deep breaths.

2. On the inhale, feel your abdomen rise as your diaphragm drops, allowing your lungs to fully inflate.

3. On the exhale, slightly contract your abdomen as your diaphragm rises to help expel the air from your lungs.

4. Communicate! Let me know if you need more or less pressure or want to stay in an area longer.

5. Avoid muscle guarding or contracting the muscle against the massage stroke. Instead, speak up and we can slow down and breathe through it together. Deep tissue massage does not have to be painful to be effective.

After

1. Continue to hydrate. Hydration will help reduce post-massage side effects like soreness and nausea. Avoid alcohol or caffeine for at least 12 hours after massage as these are dehydrating.

2. Continue to eat light. Heavy meals make make you feel bloated.

3. Feelings of soreness and sluggishness are normal up to 2 to 3 days after deep tissue work. If experiencing pain, try not to take anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen or Motrin. The inflammatory response is needed to help bring fluid to your muscles, repair tissue and flush out toxins. Instead consider alternating ice and heat for 20 minutes at a time, or taking low-dose acetaminophen.

4. Stretch if possible and avoid strenuous or stimulating activity.

5. Get a good night’s rest to allow your body to recover from the stress of bodywork.

6. Schedule a follow-up appointment. While a single massage session can definitely make a difference, lasting change requires consistent bodywork. Ask me about package deals.