In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some initial tips to help maximize the massage experience once the session is over. There are several post-massage actions or concepts that many people find beneficial, whether to reduce pain, increase recovery or some other related need.
At Body Balance Massage and Float, our wide variety of massage therapy techniques includes several extremely helpful options, from deep tissue massage and Swedish massage to sports massage, warm bamboo massage and more. Here are some additional areas to consider following your massage that may help optimize your results and make you feel even better than you would already.
Snack or Other Bodily Fueling
In many cases, massage therapy will cause the body to work hard. It requires energy to repair and heal the muscles, which can tax the body. You may want to consider having a small snack before or after your massage to help replenish any lost energy.
For instance, a banana or some other form of potassium can help with cramping that may be caused by the massage. Eating a small amount of protein can also give your body the tools it needs to repair any damaged tissue.
Epsom Salt
Another great post-massage tip is to soak in an Epsom salt bath. This will help your muscles relax even more, and it can also relieve any pain or discomfort you may be feeling. This is because Epsom salt is rich in magnesium, which is known for its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. To further increase the benefits of your Epsom salt bath, consider adding a few drops of lavender essential oil. This will help you relax even more and can also promote better sleep.
If you don't have a bathtub, don't worry – there are other options. You can make a compress using Epsom salt and warm water, and then apply it to the area that is giving you the most trouble.
Avoid Major Workouts
While you might feel energetic and invigorated after your massage, it's important to avoid any major physical activity. This is because your muscles are already in a weakened state, and they need time to recover. Going for a light walk is fine, but anything more strenuous could do more harm than good.
In addition, it's important to stay hydrated following your massage - and working out will only increase your need for water. So make sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially if you're going to be active.
Overall, there are many things you can do to make the most of your massage and help your body recover more quickly. For more on this, or to learn about any of our massage or float therapy programs, speak to our staff at Body Balance Massage and Float today.
Anyone who is receiving a massage will naturally be looking for simple ways to maximize the positive effects they receive from this program, and among several factors that may be important here, what you do directly after the massage is definitely one worth considering. There may be a few different actions you can take that will help your body fully optimize the results of any given massage, and most of these are quite simple and straightforward.
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we're happy to offer a huge range of massage therapy techniques, including everything from sports massage and deep tissue massage to warm bamboo massage and more. In this two-part blog series, we'll look at some possible post-massage actions that might help you receive even greater benefits from this entire process.
*One important note here: The following are just general tips, and may not necessarily be ideal for every massage therapy patient. If you're unsure about any of these for your situation, be sure to speak to your massage therapist first.
Utilize Ice
Because many forms of massage, such as deep tissue massage, involve your therapist releasing pressure from tight muscles, this often leaves your body temporarily vulnerable. It's quite common for new massage patients to feel like their muscles are sore and tender after a session, and by utilizing an ice pack directly on the targeted area afterward, you'll be able to cut down on some of this discomfort.
Not only this, but ice will also help to constrict blood vessels and reduce any minor swelling that may occur as well. For best results, use the ice pack for 10-15 minutes after your massage session is over.
Drink Plenty of Water
The importance of good hydration cannot be understated when it comes to health and wellness in general, but after a massage this can be especially crucial. Your massage therapist will likely have included some time during your session to stretch and release tension in a variety of muscles and connective tissue, so by drinking at least 8 ounces of water afterward, you can help flush away any toxins that may have been left behind.
Avoid Caffeine
On the flip side here, consuming high amounts of caffeine after a massage can also work to negate some of the benefits you've just received. This is because caffeine has a number of properties that may restrict any release of toxins from your body during and after the session, so if possible, try to limit (or avoid) caffeinated beverages for at least 24 hours afterward.
These are just a few of the many steps you can take after your massage to help further enhance the positive effects that you'll experience. Keep in mind that, as with anything else, each individual body and situation will respond differently. So while these tips may be helpful for some people, they may not necessarily apply to everyone. By speaking with your massage therapist, you can learn more about what you can do to take full advantage of the results that this process has to offer.
If you're looking for a professional massage therapist in your area, contact us here at Body Balance Massage and Float today. Our experienced team members are always available to answer any questions you may have, so don't hesitate to get in touch!
In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked at some important information on the possibility of changing your preferred massage therapy technique as you get older. This is a beneficial approach for some people for a few different reasons, including changing bodily needs with age, and knowing your options plays a big role here.
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we're happy to offer deep tissue massage, Swedish massage, trigger point therapy and numerous other massage techniques to a variety of Orem clients, including those who are getting older and are considering making changes to their normal massage routine. What are some of the other key factors that play a role in this decision? Here are several.
Medications Being Used
In some cases, those of us who are getting up there in years may have to take on new medications that can affect how our body reacts to massage. For example, if you've recently been prescribed blood thinners, you'll want to avoid deep tissue massage as it could cause bruising. The same goes for those who are on cancer treatments or have had recent surgeries.
This is one area that perfectly highlights the importance of communicating with your massage therapist for assistance. It would be impossible for us to list every conceivable medication interaction within this blog; your massage therapist, however, has years of experience and will be able to give you an expert opinion on what will work best given your current situation.
Changes in Pain Tolerance
As we age, it's not uncommon for our pain tolerance to change. This can be due to a number of factors, and it doesn't necessarily mean that we're growing more sensitive - sometimes, it can be the opposite. It's important to communicate any changes in your pain tolerance to your massage therapist so that they can adjust their approach accordingly.
In some cases, this may lead to your choosing a different massage technique altogether. For example, if you've always enjoyed deep tissue massages but are now finding them too painful, Swedish massage may be a better option.
Possible Changes
Based on the information above, it's clear that there are a number of factors to consider when deciding whether or not to change your massage therapy approach as you age. And while it's impossible to predict the future, being aware of potential changes can help you be better prepared for whatever may come.
If you have any questions about how aging may affect your massage therapy, or if you'd like to schedule an appointment in or around Orem, please contact our caring staff at Body Balance Massage and Float today. We'll be happy to help you find the perfect massage therapy approach for your needs.
If you're someone who regularly utilizes massage therapy and its numerous benefits, whether for pain relief, help with a specific condition or just overall wellness, the technique(s) used are one important subject you'll be regularly considering. One question we regularly get in this area: Should massage techniques be changed as a given person ages?
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we're happy to offer a huge range of massage therapy techniques, including everything from deep tissue massage to trigger point therapy, Swedish massage and numerous others. We're also happy to assist patients with questions like these -- should massage technique considerations change as you get older? This is a highly personalized question, with answers that may vary from patient to patient; in this two-part blog series, we'll look into a number of elements to consider if you're in this position.
Health Conditions
Naturally, one of the most important factors that may dictate whether or not you should change your massage therapy approach as you age is any health conditions you may have developed. These could be new conditions, or ones that have been present for some time.
For example, if you're getting older and beginning to develop significant arthritis pain, a deep tissue massage that was once comfortable may now cause you more pain and discomfort. In this case, you'll want to look into other options that may better suit your needs, such as Swedish massage or another gentler approach.
On the other hand, if you're dealing with long-term health conditions like fibromyalgia or chronic pain, you may find that massage provides more relief than ever before. In this case, you may want to look into more frequent sessions or longer sessions than you've had in the past.
Injury Concerns
In other cases, specific injuries may come into play when deciding whether or not to change your massage therapy approach.
For example, if you've recently suffered a back injury, you'll want to be very careful about the techniques used during your massage. In some cases, a deep tissue massage may be too much for an injured back and could actually make things worse; in this case, a gentler approach like Swedish massage may be a better option.
On the other hand, if you're dealing with an old injury that's never quite healed properly, targeted deep tissue work may finally help to get things moving in the right direction.
Skin Quality or Conditions
Another key element to consider is the quality and condition of your skin. As you age, your skin becomes thinner and less elastic. This can make certain types of massage, like deep tissue work, more painful than they would be on younger skin. In this case, it may be best to stick with gentler techniques or shorter sessions.
In addition, if you have any skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, it's important to take these into account when choosing a massage technique. In some cases, certain approaches may aggravate existing skin conditions; in others, massage may actually help to improve them.
In part two of our series, we'll go over some further themes here. For more on this, or to learn about any of our massage therapy or float therapy programs, speak to the team at Body Balance Massage and Float today.
In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked into some of the major benefits of massage therapy for those who suffer from arthritis. This is a very common condition, but also one that often responds to certain forms of treatment -- and massage therapy is one particular type that's had immense success for a number of patients.
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we're happy to offer a wide range of massage therapy, including options like Swedish massage and others that are often ideal for those dealing with arthritis or similar issues. While part one of our series went over why this form of treatment is often so beneficial to arthritis patients, today's part two will look at some of the specific massage techniques that tend to show the most success here.
Swedish Massage
As we just alluded to above, Swedish massage is one of the most popular forms of massage therapy in general, but it's also very effective for those with arthritis. This type of massage uses long strokes and circular motions to work the muscles, and it can be very helpful in reducing pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
Through various similar motions, such as kneading, tapping and even vibrations, Swedish massage can also help to increase blood flow and reduce stress. While this latter benefit might not sound like it would be all that helpful for arthritis specifically, reducing stress has been shown to do wonders for pain management in general -- and that's certainly something worth taking advantage of!
Deep Tissue Massage
Deep tissue massage is another very popular form of massage, but it's not quite as common as Swedish massage. This is because deep tissue massage is a bit more intense, and it's often not recommended for those who are new to massage in general.
That being said, deep tissue massage can be extremely beneficial for those who suffer from arthritis, as it can help to break up any knots or blockages that might be causing pain. This type of massage is also very effective in reducing inflammation, which is often a major problem for arthritis sufferers.
Shiatsu Massage
Known for its ability to target specific pain spots, Shiatsu massage is a Japanese form of massage that uses pressure and finger strokes on the body. This type of massage is often used to treat arthritis, as it can be very helpful in reducing pain and stiffness in the joints.
One of the best things about Shiatsu massage is that it can be done without any massage oil, which makes it a great option for those who are sensitive to touch or have allergies.
For more on the quality massage programs that may benefit those with arthritis, or to learn about any of our massage or float therapy services, speak to the team at Body Balance Massage and Float today.
In part one of this two-part blog series, we looked into some of the simple ways that float therapy can positively impact areas like stress and anxiety. From its reduction of cortisol (the "stress" hormone) to several other related areas, there are multiple ways that this beneficial form of therapy can help if you're dealing with high levels of stress in your life.
At Body Balance Massage and Float, we're happy to offer the very best float therapy services in Utah in addition to our quality massage therapy and related solutions. What are some of the other ways float therapy can directly or indirectly assist with stress and many of its related symptoms? Here are some basics.
Pain Relief
Float therapy is known to promote both vasodilation and oxygenation within the body, both of which can work wonders when it comes to pain relief. This is in addition to the almost immediate reduction in gravity's impact that you'll feel while floating. Many people who suffer from conditions like chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and migraines often find significant relief after just one session of float therapy.
And while pain might not always be your most common source of stress, it's often a significant factor that can complicate and amplify stress-related issues. Reducing or eliminating pain can, therefore, have a profound and ripple effect on many other areas of your life that might be struggling.
Muscle Relaxation and Injury Recovery
Down similar lines, floating also offers exceptional benefits when it comes to muscle relaxation and injury recovery. The lack of gravity, the warm water temperature, and the extremely high salt content all work together to allow your muscles to completely relax. This can not only lead to faster healing times but can prevent future injuries by keeping muscles healthy, relaxed, and free from stress or strain.
Additionally, this environment can also help to improve your range of motion and flexibility, both of which are often negatively impacted by stress. The lack of gravity and the weightlessness that you'll experience while floating will allow your joints and muscles to move more freely than usual, promoting a greater range of motion and increased flexibility over time.
Limiting Anxiety and Depression Symptoms
Both anxiety and depression are interconnected with stress in a variety of ways and often feed off of each other to create a never-ending spiral of negative emotions. Fortunately, float therapy has been shown to be an effective way to break this cycle for many people.
One study found that just a single session of float therapy was enough to significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in participants. And while more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of float therapy on mental health, there's no doubt that it can be a helpful tool in managing stress and its related symptoms.
For more on the many ways float therapy may help you fight off stress and related symptoms, or to learn about any of our floatation services, massage therapy solutions or other programs, speak to the team at Body Balance Massage and Float today.