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| Copyright 2006 Michael J. Barry |
| Ten Daily Steps to Maximizing and Prolonging the Benefits of Your Massage |
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| 1. Hydrate. Drink at least 1/2 oz of good water per pound of your own body weight, ie: if you weigh 160 pounds, drink 10 8oz bottles or glasses of water, not Gatorade, not Bud Light. 2. Breathe, with Intention. During the course of your treatment, many levels of metabolic wastes are pushed toward the heart, lymph system, and lungs. In addition to expelling toxins through the bowels, bladder, and sweat glands, much of these wastes make their way to the respiratory system. Slow, thorough exhalation is very important. 3. Stretch and Move. Even though your joints, muscles and their attachments, and other connective tissues where worked and released during your session, they are programmed through your nervous system to go right back to where they started, unless they're trained (so to speak) to do something different. Daily stretching and movement stimulates production of synovial fluid (joint capsule lubricant), pumps lymph fluid, helps loosen sticky muscle fibers and fascia, and re-trains your Peripheral Nervous System regarding new tissue limits and ranges of motion. 4. Minimize your intake of caffeine, nicotine, sugar, and alcohol. These neurostimulants can increase pain perception and dehydrate the body. 5. Take a good, warm bath (no hotter than 110 degrees). Heat will help to stimulate vasodialation (expansion) of blood vessels and warm muscle tissue. Ice may be applied in 20 minute intervals to areas of excess soreness. 6. Sleep. Get a good night's sleep. Let your body release, reset, and regenerate. 7. Keep things simple. Where have I heard that before?? Take stress breaks. Your treatment was just as much for your mind as it was for your body. Give your head a break. 8. Maintain a positive mental attitude. A positive spiritual attitude can be amazing as well. 9. Be aware of your posture. Especially ergonomically. Proper body positioning can make you or break you, literally. 10. Love Yourself. ~Do something good for yourself every day, ~Surround yourself with people who inspire you, ~Practice random acts of kindness, ~Schedule your next massage ;) |