How to make the most of your massage

Before you start your day, drink water.  A simple suggestion but starting the rehydration of your muscles, and helping your body eliminate waste from your sleep over night is the best way to start your day. The more hydrated your muscles are, the more oxygenated blood can flow through them. Hydrated muscles generally recover better from manual therapy, including massage. 

If it’s your first massage at the clinic make sure you allow time to complete some quick paperwork regarding your preferences, so you don’t feel stress or rushed prior to going through. This will also allow you time to use the bathroom before your massage so you are comfortable and not wanting your session to end before due time.

On your way to your appointment, think about what kind of massage you would like, what areas of your body you would like treated.  If you have had massage before, was suitable or unsuitable? Think about how you might explain this to your therapist in case it has any impact on the treatment you are about to receive. 

When speaking with your therapist, they may want a little bit of background information like injuries or trauma history.

They may also have suggestions on what sort of massage will suit you on that day or a regular plan to achieve the desired results for optimum health.  Come prepared but don't feel like you need to divulge everything.  It can take time to develop a comfortable therapeutic relationship between you and your therapist, and one of the key components of this is trust.  If you feel you are able or need to share more as time goes on, at the beginning of other massage sessions, you may find that your therapist adjusts their treatment to release your muscles, nerves or emotions in different ways.  This can be done through Myofascial Release, which is a gentle form of treatment that allows the body and mind to release pain and strain while creating a deep sense of relaxation and rest. Despite how gentle this technique is, clients are often surprised at how it helps them, and the freedom it gives their body, mind and nervous system. 

Your Massage Therapist may also suggest in your best interest other modalities to support your recovery or lifestyle. This may include Physiotherapy, Counselling, Psychology, Naturopathy, Doctor or Specialist.

Remember to drink plenty of water after your massage to help flush out any toxins (lactic acid) that may have been released, and to encourage good oxygen flow to the areas that have been worked on.   

As we are generally leading busier lifestyles, it is helpful to pre-book your next massage before you leave the clinic, whether it's in a week or six weeks. You may like to make a plan to have regular massage which can improve and lengthen your results including:

• improved sleep
• decrease in stress
• decrease in nerve or muscular pain
• ability to manage emotional situations better

When you know what you are aiming for or that you have a massage to look forward to, it can give you a sense of hope and even control, instead of life, pain or exhaustion controlling you.

Make massage a part of your lifestyle and you will be glad you did!

Lyndal Nonyane is a Remedial Massage Therapist at Marion Physiotherapy
and a member of the Australian Association of Massage Therapy.
She specialises in Myofascial and Craniosacral Therapy.

If you would like to make a massage appointment with Lyndal please call Marion Physiotherapy on 08 82967594 or for more information please click here.

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