7 tips to get the best out of a relaxing massage - TheHealthSite

[massage]

A relaxing massage at the end of the day or on a relaxed Saturday afternoon is something all of us crave. But there are certain things one needs to keep in mind before going for a massage.

1. Choose the type of massage you want – Decide on the type of therapy you want for yourself before or during you book an appointment. Ask the spa and understand the kind of massages they offer and choose the one that suits you the most. Also, you should be aware of what to expect during a massage–the type of oils, lotions they would be using and the type of massage, so you are comfortable when your therapist starts the massage.


2. Don’t eat beforehand — Massage is always done on an empty stomach. So if you are going for a massage early in the morning, you can skip your breakfast, but if your massage is scheduled in the middle of the day or sometime in the evening, make sure you don’t eat for at least an hour prior to it.

3. Inform about your allergies to oils or other products – Many a time the skin is sensitive to certain chemicals in lotions or compounds in the oils used for massage. It is best to inform your therapist about your skin allergies beforehand.

4. Inflammation in the body – It is also important to tell your therapist if there’s a swelling or an inflammation in any part of the body. Massaging an already inflamed body part can worsen the inflammation and also cause pain.

5. Don’t rush in for a massage – Your ultimate goal is to be relaxed and relieve the stress. So if you go for a massage all stressed and worked up, you will take longer to calm down and not be relaxed by the end of the massage.

6. Take a warm shower before you head for the massage–Showering before a massage helps you relax quickly. Also, your body is clean and the therapist doesn’t have to deal with your dirty feet or sweaty armpits.

7. Don’t go for a massage when you are sick – Never go for a massage when you have a cold, cough or any other illness. Firstly, you won’t feel relaxed and there are high chances that you might spread your infection to your therapist and other customers.

With inputs from Dr Indira Priyadarshini, Ayurvedic Consultant at the Dune EcoVillage and Spa, Pondicherry.

You may like to read

1. Body massages that help you lose weight
2. 7 types of Ayurvedic massages you should know about
3. How to give a great, relaxing head massage

Image source: Shutterstock


For more articles on diseases & conditions, visit our diseases & conditions section. For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. For health related Q&A, click here!


This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service - if this is your content and you're reading it on someone else's site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.