over the years. The more you do, the better your results will be, but be gentle with
yourself. Be patient and realize that, if it's stressful for you to do any of the following
steps, enjoy where you are and try again next time.
BEFORE
3 days before your massage...
- Get enough rest, so you do not miss your massage by sleeping through it.
- Increase water intake until your urine is pale, indicating your tissues are as clear
as possible - Reduce cigarettes, caffeine, and alcohol consumption, as they all interfere with
the benefits of massage on many levels.
- Take a warm bath or shower
- Don’t consume caffeine (including decaffeinated beverages or chocolate) or
alcohol, don’t smoke cigarettes or chew tobacco - Plan ahead for your massage so you minimize rushing
- Please refrain from eating a heavy meal. If you are hungry, drink vegetable or
fruit juices, or water. - Mild to moderate exercise is an excellent way to warm the muscles and prepare
the body. Taking a 15 to 20 minute walk is excellent. - Arrive at least 5 minutes early to sit, have some purified water, and allow your
body time to realize where you are. Better yet, plan to have a Dry Brush &
Steamed Towel Compress (or Steam Therapy) before your session, to prepare
your mind, body and spirit. - Consciously get into a state of relaxed openness and a willingness to heal. Doing
this step is the greatest way to insure the success of your massage. - Please inform me, your practitioner, of any concerns, issues, or important
changes that may have occurred since your last session.
- Relaxation is a choice. Choose to relax before your massage even begins.
- Sometimes talking distracts you from what is happening in your body. In most
cases, to get the maximum benefit out of your massage, don't talk, or talk only
about the session. Some clients feel more relaxed when talking, until they are
ready for the intensity of focusing on their bodies. If you are in the habit of talking
during a session, contemplate why. I am trained to follow your lead as to the
amount of conversation that makes you the most comfortable, and I understand it
may change from session to session. - Communicate anything that makes you uncomfortable - temperature,
table/headreast position, scents, techniques, anything. This is your session! I
want you to get the most out of it. - Focus your complete attention and breathe into areas that may cause you
discomfort as we find them. The more you participate by focusing your
awareness on your discomfort, the more you are open to discovering what
information it holds for you. If at any time you find yourself holding your breath,
this indicates too much pressure, or not enough preparation of the tissue.
Please let me know! - Be relaxed yet aware. Avoid thinking about things outside of the session (what
you have to do after the session, a situation you've been trying to figure out,
etc.), and try to avoid falling asleep. Both of these dramatically reduce the
effectiveness of massage by disconnecting you from the process. - Practice the art of Being. There is a part within all of us that simply observes
everything and is always still. Connect with that part of you during the session to
fully relax. - Don’t assist and don’t resist. If you must think about something during the
session, think about mastering this deceptively simple and effective skill.
3-6 hours after your massage...
- A good massage opens and relaxes your mind, body, and spirit, making this
window after your massage the ideal time to see your psychotherapist,
chiropractor, or any other healthcare provider. - Stay focused on your body as long as possible by:
- Eating or drinking something healthy
- Exercising moderately or with focused relaxation (now is not the time to push your
limits, but to allow your body to readjust to the attention and changes of your
massage) - Sleeping
- Practicing open observation so you may more easily be aware of what aligns you
with health.
- Avoid mental activities as long as possible such as:
- Watching TV or going to the movies
- Listening to the radio
- Reading
- Engaging with a negative person
- Talking negatively to yourself or worrying about “deadlines”
- Going back to work
- Some soreness or emotional releases are to be expected for up to 3 days after
your massage. Please contact me if you have any symptoms you would like to
discuss. - Continue to drink enough water to assist your tissue in the elimination of toxins
that were trapped in your tissue before the massage. (again, a good gage is
having pale or clear urine) - Follow any exercise or lifestyle changes suggested by your physician or health
care provider
