You’ve booked a deep tissue massage and you’re doing some research to prepare for the experience. You may have seen that one effect of this massage is slight muscle soreness. So what’s the best way to recover from a deep tissue massage? Here are some recovery tips that will help you get the most out of your day at the spa. 

The Benefits of Deep Tissue Massage 

Deep tissue massage involves lengthening your muscles to release knots and tension. A massage therapist will use different techniques to apply pressure on your muscles and the fascia or connective tissue surrounding your muscles. This process can help treat pain and reduce soreness. 

It is particularly helpful for people recovering from injury, seeking relief from chronic pain and people who want to release muscle tension from poor posture. 

Some of the benefits of deep tissue massage include: 

  • Healthy blood pressure levels 
  • Pain and inflammation relief
  • Increased flexibility and range of motion 
  • Reduces tension 
  • Promotes relaxation 
  • Reduces back pain
  • Aids in recovery after injury

While it’s best to have regular deep tissue massages over a long period of time, you can still benefit from it as a once-in-a-while experience. The key to sustaining the benefits of deep tissue massage is proper aftercare and rest. 

You may feel some tenderness and soreness after a deep tissue massage, especially in areas that have muscle knots. This is normal since deep tissue massage helps with myofascial release.

Myofascial release relieves muscle tension through applied pressure, which can be slightly uncomfortable. However, you will feel instant relief once your muscles loosen and the tension melts away. 

How to Recover After a Deep Tissue Massage 

After your massage, it’s essential to take these steps to support muscle recovery and to boost the effects of the massage. Here are some of the best ways to aid your recovery. 

Do Something For Your Mind 

In addition to the physical benefits, deep-tissue massage also reduces stress and promotes relaxation in your mind. Since your mind and body are connected, you want to give your mind time to rest to help your body relax, too.

Do an activity that you enjoy. Maybe read a book or listen to calming music. You can also take a bath for relaxation. It will also help to relieve any tenderness and prevent muscle stiffness while you recover. 

Stretch 

After deep tissue massage, your blood circulation will increase so your body can carry the oxygen and nutrients from your heart to your organs. To keep good blood flow, your muscles need to be loose with no obstructions. Keep your muscles loose and limber with some dynamic stretches. Dynamic stretching increases blood flow and flexibility, which helps your muscles recover and stay healthy. 

Have a Healthy Snack 

Maximize the benefits of your massage with a healthy snack. You can do this by making a snack with vitamin- and omega-rich foods like chia seeds, salmon and halibut. Make a light salmon salad or some chia pudding as a light snack after your massage. Foods rich in omega-3s can help your muscles recover quickly and reduce soreness since they have anti-inflammatory properties and contain nutrients that rebuild and repair. 

Drink a Glass of Water – or Several

Some techniques the massage therapist will use make your blood circulation system move fluid toward your heart. This fluid, which contains metabolic waste and other substances eventually ends up in your kidneys. Your kidneys will filter that fluid and release toxins through sweat or frequent visits to the restroom.

After the massage, your kidney needs more water, since they will filter toxins from your body more than usual. Drink lots of water, green tea or ginger tea to rehydrate your body and support muscle recovery. 

Take a Nap

Deep tissue massage gives some people feelings of extreme relaxation, which may lead to feelings of tiredness or fatigue. If you’re one of those people, lean into it and rest. A nap or a good night’s rest will help your muscles recover and will help you feel more energetic after you wake up. 

Maintain Healthy Habits

As they say, prevention is always better than cure. While it’s important to rehydrate, eat healthy and get some rest after a deep tissue massage, it’s even more important to maintain those healthy habits to maintain heart health and prevent muscle injury and strain. 

To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should: 

  • Drink seven to eight glasses of water daily.
  • Exercise and stretch for an hour every day.
  • Eat healthy food.
  • Make massage part of your lifestyle and get massage tools with professional strength or a massage chair you can use in your home. 

The human heart beats 2.5 billion times in a lifetime and pumps blood, oxygen, nutrients and hormones throughout your body each second, which is why it’s essential to support your heart health and circulatory system. In addition to maintaining healthy habits, massage can be part of a healthy lifestyle to keep your muscles in good condition. 

Happy Recovery!

If you want to learn more about how you can make massage part of your daily lifestyle, get in touch with us and we’ll get you the right resources.