What to Expect in your Massage
Prepare for your Portland Massage Appointment
Making your Portland massage appointment starts the healing process of your upcoming session with your massage therapist. People taking time out of their day to relax is a big deal, if you ask me. Thinking about ourselves and turning everything off (computers, phones, television, work, stress, pain, and time) is something we sometimes forget to do. Your Portland massage session is where you should strive to think about nothing, except great sensations of therapeutic healing.
Just keep in mind that relaxation starts with taking your time for everything. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the spa, treatment room, office, and/or place of healing. It’s always nice to be relaxed, instead of being rushed or feeling rushed. If the facility has a steam room, you should use it for your muscles and skin. This helps to alleviate some of the tension of the daily stress we encounter. (Check with your doctor if you have questions during pregnancy).
Breathing is a major focus of meditation. Listen to your breathing, so you can feel your energy being healed from the moment it starts. If it’s your first time getting a treatment, then that’s something you could focus on to let go of everything else on your mind. I know what it’s like to have a million things on your mind, so letting go can be tough at times. Imagine floating on water, and letting the waves take care of your body!
Hydrate your Body Before & After Massage
Often times, people don’t drink enough water on a daily basis to help keep proper circulation. A person should drink at least 8-10 12 oz glasses/day, or more if you are an athlete or a person working out regularly. Dehydration of the muscles and skin can cause tightness and tension. Poor circulation can cause possible issues of having cold feet & hands, because of lactic acid build up in the muscles of both upper/lower extremities.
Massage definitely helps blood flow, especially with any movement in the shoulder, hip, and knee area. Compression of any muscle group area causes the blood to come up to the skin, which is just opening up the circulatory movement of the blood system. Stretching & rotating the arms/legs softens the muscles and joints, and it also stimulates the continuum of the blood flow, creating warm sensations that travel all around the body.
Sore muscles relax a lot more when heat is applied before massage begins. For example, try sitting in a steam room for 5-10 minutes, or use heat packs, heating pads, hot patches, and hot stones.Muscles relax with active stretching, deep tissue massage, and medium paced effleurage (light, rhythmic stroking). Once the healing process of the massage takes place, the body may react in all kinds of ways.
Think of your body from that moment forward, so next time you’ll be more prepared. Remember, to drink water throughout the day and to relax as much as possible. Your muscles and body may be sore for a couple of days, so eating healthy, drinking water, maintaining good posture, sleeping regular hours and loving life will help the soreness go away.
