Before Your Massage
by Kristin Bolton, LMT
“I’m so sorry, I forgot to shave my legs!”
I’ve heard this apology countless times from clients who are concerned about their leg stubble, but I assure you, it’s completely fine! There are a few things, however, you can do before your massage to set yourself up for the best experience.
Enjoy A Shower Or Bath
Sunscreen, lotion, or sand on the body can be unpleasant for both the therapist and client. Many sunscreens and lotions will ball up into clumps that roll around as the massage is performed. Or if you were at the beach and didn’t get all the sand off, you’ll be subject to an added exfoliant that is scratchy and distracting. Taking a refreshing shower or a nice long bath before your appointment can also help you get the most out of your massage by slowing down the nervous system and relaxing the mind and body, so you’re more ready to let go and receive a massage.
Hydration
Massage therapy may be relaxing, but it also can be a lot for your body to process, especially if you are having a long session or deep work. It’s important to make sure you are nice and hydrated before a massage, but you’ll want to work on that well before your appointment! Drinking a tall glass of water right before a massage might lead to you needing a bathroom break during the session, so make sure to hydrate earlier in the day.
Reducing caffeine intake on massage day is also a good strategy, so you aren’t too wound up when you’re trying to relax. The other beverage to be mindful of before a massage is alcohol. Drinking alcohol is contraindicated to massage because the combination can overwhelm your system with metabolic waste and cause you to feel ill. If you decide to enjoy alcohol before a massage, just be careful to not over-do it. Showing up intoxicated to your appointment can result in your therapist having to refrain from providing the massage.
Self Care
Receiving massage is a self care ritual to support your body’s needs, whether it’s injury recovery, pain relief, or just to unwind and release tension. Here are some ideas for things you can do before your appointment to get more out of your massage:
Exercise. Burn off some energy and get your muscles warmed up with your favorite exercise.
Yoga & Meditation. Get your zen on with your favorite breathing, stretching and meditation practices.
Herbal Tea. Enjoy a relaxing herbal tea to soothe your body and mind.
Prepare a soup! Do your future self a favor and prepare a nourishing dish to enjoy after your massage.
Get creative! Enjoy a creative activity such as art, crafts, singing or playing an instrument.
Log off. Take some time to tune into yourself in the present moment.
Journaling. Write about what’s on your mind or journal about how your body is feeling.
Nature. Immerse yourself in a natural environment and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings.
Listen to music. Music can be a powerful tool help you wind down and get into a more introspective state.
Of course a massage appointment can be a stand alone event, but you can try out some of these ideas as a way to get the most out of your experience! For some tips on things to do after your massage appointment, check out my article After-Care: Tips From A Massage Therapist.
