After Care

Make the most of your massage and wellness treatment.

  • Drink plenty of water to remove toxins that are released during a massage. We recommend that you drink half your body weight in ounces of water every 24 hours. .
  • Don’t over-push yourself after the massage, as it is not unusual to feel tired and sleepy.
  • If you are worried about anything after a treatment contact your therapist.
  • If you are tender after a treatment, and often clients are for 2-3 days as the body heals, you can use ice packs then heat packs alternately. This is normal. This can help to accelerate the healing and reduce any tenderness. Light movement is also good to help the blood flow to and from the muscles. Some clients like a hot bath and find that this soothes the muscles. Sometimes the worse the treatment reaction the better the overall client improvement that follows once the body has rebalanced.
  • Remember and comply with advice given regarding stretching or strengthening exercises etc. If you forget or need clarification, contact your therapist.
  • Undertake regular stretches – a little before a workout, and more fully once the muscle is warm after a workout. The general recommendation is to hold stretches for 30 seconds. If you need help on what stretches are best for you, see our yoga therapist to get a customized program.
  • Self check for tender areas – be aware of your body, watch your posture and correct yourself!
  • Try to reduce your stress levels as this leads to body tension. This is very important, easy to say but harder to do. Start with trying to be aware of what muscles are engaged (tense) and ask yourself whether they need to be engaged if they are not being used. Then try to let go of some of the tension and relax them. Eg drop your shoulders and relax your arms.
  • Don’t stand or sit in the same position for long periods – especially cross-legged or hunched over a computer. Please avoid hard chairs. The body likes movement and does not cope well in fixed positions where muscles are tense.
  • Lift heavy products, perform any heavy yard or housework
  • Be careful of your workout at the gym within 48 hours after your massage
  • Don’t engage in any contact sports
  • Don’t drink heavy alcohol – you may experience an lactic acid hangover

When not to receive massage therapy:

Contraindications of Massage

  1. Inflammation
    • Signs: redness, swelling, tissue warm to touch
    • Present with injury or infective process.
  2. Acute Injury or Spasm
    • Acute generally considered less than 72 hours.
    • Often inflammation present.
  3. Suspected Injury or Fracture
    • See inflammation
  4. Open Sores or Wounds
  5. Heart Disease or Conditions
    • High Blood Pressure
    • Varicose veins
    • Phlebitis
  6. Fever, Nausea, Vomiting
  7. Bursitis, Herniated or Ruptured Discs
  8. Exacerbation of any Chronic Condition
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis