Youāve booked your therapeutic massage. Youāve set aside time to relax and care for your body. But thereās one simple step many people overlook that can boost your results and reduce soreness: hydration.
š Before Your Session: Prep Your Tissues
Muscles are about 70ā75% water. When youāre even slightly dehydrated, your muscle and connective tissues become less pliableālike a dry sponge versus a damp one.
- Hydrated tissue responds better to massage techniques.
- Itās easier for your therapist to work through layers of fascia and muscle without causing unnecessary discomfort.
- Your circulation improves, helping deliver oxygen and nutrients where theyāre needed most.
š Tip: Drink a glass of water 30ā60 minutes before your appointment (but not so much that youāre uncomfortable!).
šæ After Your Session: Flush, Recover, Replenish
During a therapeutic massage, your therapist helps release built-up metabolic waste (like lactic acid), toxins, and tension from your muscles. Think of it like āwringing out a dirty towelāābut that debris needs to be flushed out of your system.
- Water supports your lymphatic and circulatory systems in clearing these byproducts.
- Staying hydrated reduces the chance of post-massage soreness or headache.
- It also helps your muscles rehydrate and recover faster, so you feel the benefits longer.
š Tip: Sip water slowly after your sessionāaim for an extra 16ā24 oz over the next few hours. Add a pinch of sea salt or electrolytes if you had a deep or long session!
ā Myth: āIāll pee out all the ātoxinsā right away.ā
While your kidneys do filter waste, the real benefit isnāt about ādetoxingā like a juice cleanseāitās about supporting your bodyās natural recovery process. Hydration = smoother healing.
š¬ Final Thought:
Massage opens the doorāhydration walks you through it.
A well-hydrated body heals faster, moves easier, and holds onto the benefits of your session longer.
So next time, bring your water bottle⦠and toast to your health! š
P.S. Herbal tea or coconut water also countābut skip the alcohol or heavy caffeine right before or after your massage, as they can dehydrate you.