How to Make the Most of Your Massage Session
Whether you’re booking your first massage or you’re a regular on the table, how you prepare for and respond to your session can dramatically affect your results. Massage therapy isn’t just a one-time luxury—it’s part of a broader self-care and healing journey. Here's how to get the most benefit from every session, before, during, and after.
BEFORE YOUR MASSAGE
1. Hydrate, But Don’t Overdo It
Drinking water before your massage helps support circulation and lymphatic flow. But skip the huge bottle 15 minutes before—your bladder will thank you.
2. Avoid Heavy Meals
Have a light snack if you’re hungry, but avoid heavy or greasy foods within an hour or two of your session. Digestion requires energy, and a full stomach can be uncomfortable when lying face down.
3. Arrive Early, Not Rushed
Give yourself time to breathe before the session. Rushing in stressed can make it harder to relax into the massage. Arriving 5–10 minutes early also allows you to communicate goals or concerns with your therapist calmly.
4. Communicate Clearly
Let your therapist know:
Any areas of pain, tension, or injury
Pressure preferences
Emotional state (tense, exhausted, anxious, etc.)
Health updates (e.g., recent illness, pregnancy, medication changes)
This ensures your treatment is safe and customised.
DURING YOUR MASSAGE
1. Breathe
Conscious, deep breathing supports your nervous system and enhances relaxation. Try to match your breath with the rhythm of the massage.
2. Let Go of “Helping”
You don’t need to hold tension, “assist” the massage, or anticipate movements. The more you relax, the deeper the therapeutic work can go.
3. Speak Up When Needed
This is your session. Let your therapist know if:
The pressure is too much or not enough
You’re too cold or too warm
You feel uncomfortable for any reason (physically or emotionally)
We welcome feedback—it helps tailor the session to your needs.
4. Be Present
Try to stay mentally present with your body, instead of running through to-do lists or stressful thoughts. This is your time to reconnect with yourself.
AFTER YOUR MASSAGE
1. Hydrate Again
Massage increases circulation and lymph flow, so hydrating afterward helps flush out metabolic waste and prevents post-massage soreness.
2. Take It Easy
Avoid intense workouts or stressful obligations immediately after. Your nervous system is in parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) mode—let it stay there a while.
3. Listen to Your Body
Some people feel energised, others feel sleepy. Some feel emotional release or muscle soreness (similar to post-workout DOMS). All of these are normal.
4. Integrate the Benefits
Stretch gently, rest, journal, take a warm bath - whatever supports your integration process. Massage is a reset button; give your body space to process the shift.
5. Book Your Next Session with Intention
Massage is most effective when done regularly—not just in moments of crisis or pain. Ask about a personalised schedule based on your body’s needs.
Massage Is a Partnership
Massage therapy isn’t something done to you—it’s something you engage with. The more intentional you are before, during, and after your session, the more transformative the results will be.
Ready to book your next massage? ALMA Wellness
