Massage – what to expect and the benefits

Everyone thinks they know what a massage is – but do they?  I think it is sometimes nice to be prepared for having a massage, that you know what is going to happen, the benefits and what not to do before and after the treatment.

Some massages can have a very calming effect on the body, it is dependent on the type of massage and also how it is carried out.  For most of you a calming massage could what you want, it has been found that a large percentage of modern diseases are stress related.  Stress can cause heart problems, acid problems in the stomach – ulcers, headaches, backache and feeling tired.  A relaxing massage is a great de-stressor.  There are many types of massage and most of them can help you relax and make you feel healthier (give you a feeling of well being).  Most of the massages are performed using oil as the base to prevent friction on the skin, but some massages can be performed over clothing, which is a good option for some if there is a fear of undressing.  Most massages use similar pressure points on the body.

To maintain the feeling of relaxation it is best to have a massage at regular intervals, say weekly, so that the full effect of the massage does not wear off.  I know that time and money can pose problems but it is best to book your next massage before you start to feel stressed again.  To prolong the feeling of calm after your massage you could listen to relaxation tapes and have some relax time on a daily basis.

When you have a massage it is best not to eat a heavy meal before or after your treatment as it may slow the healing process down because the body is using all of its energy to digest the food that you have eaten.  Eating before a massage could also make you feel nauseous and could cause you indigestion. It is also best to not drink alcohol before a treatment as this can cause you to feel nauseous, dizzy and could even faint because of the increase in blood and lymph circulation.

A massage will benefit your body by increasing the blood and lymphatic circulation, carrying all the required nutrients to all the body cells and helping to flush the toxins out of the body.  It will also improve your immune response to external diseases, enabling your body to fight infection because of the action of the massage. 

Once you have your treatment you should drink plenty of fluids in particular water or herbal teas as this helps to flush toxins out of your body which are released during the massage.  It is best to avoid tea, coffee and alcohol as they will put more toxins in the body and slow the healing process down. 

A massage has a psychological effect on the body both in the short term and long term.  By just taking time out to have a massage will help your mind and body to switch off and become calm.  A calm mind also reduces anxiety, increasing positive feelings, lifting your emotions, increasing energy levels, which help reduce fatigue.  Long term benefits include a sense of well being, improved body image and self-esteem.  Also an increase in relaxation means that your body is not held in such a tense state and thus the energy levels in the body are not run down.

So now you know what to expect you can book yourself in for a massage with more confidence.