Aftercare Advice

Massage helps the body systems to function more effectively, allowing and speeding up the removal of waste products and eliminating toxins from the body. During your massage treatment, your parasympathetic system is stimulated, your nervous system is calmed and soothed and your muscles relax. At the same time, your lymphatic, digestive and urinary systems are stimulated which together assist in this detoxification process. 

After a treatment you might notice some contra-actions. A contra-action is a normal reaction to a treatment, especially if you have never received a massage treatment before or if your body is particularly stressed. With regular treatments, and as the body begins to heal and rebalance, these symptoms will begin to subside.

It is possible for the following symptoms to be experienced: 

During the treatment:

• Desire to sleep – this is as a result of the body entering a state of relaxation
• Change in body temperature – during relaxation, your body temperature will naturally drop
• Perspiring – this is due to the body beginning to eliminate toxins
• Runny nose – again due to the body eliminating toxins
• Increased thirst – the body requires more water to assist with the elimination process
• Reaction to massage medium – this is very rare but can occasionally happen with clients who are prone to allergies and sensitivities. This can generally be avoided through the use of good quality massage mediums selected specifically for the client’s skin type.

After the treatment:

• Non-specific aches and pains including headaches – this is usually followed by increased flexibility and movement – due to the release of toxins and the nerve fibres responding to the deep work that has been undertaken
• Fatigue and altered sleep patterns, gradually leading to increased energy levels – due to the release of toxins encouraged by the treatment and initiation of healing energies, which require the body to rest
• Frequent micturition and/or bowel movement – due to the stimulation of the lymphatic system and the elimination of waste products from the body
• Slight nausea or light-headedness – due to the stimulation of the lymphatic system and the elimination of waste products from the body
• Skin reactions / break out of spots - due to the stimulation of the lymphatic system and the elimination of waste products from the body
• Increased thirst - due to the stimulation of the lymphatic system and the elimination of waste products from the body and the body’s natural desire to flush out the toxins
• Heightened emotions or vivid dreams or positive mood changes – due to the positive release of deep-held feelings and emotions.

Please note, your treatment does not stop when you get off of the massage couch, the effects of the massage last a long time and you can help to enhance these benefits with a few simple actions:

1. Drink plenty of water – immediately after the massage, drink lots of water. This will help remove any unwanted toxins from your body
2. Avoid caffeine, nicotine or alcohol for at least 6hrs – remember, you are trying to get rid of toxins, not add to them!
3. Take care if driving home – you may find your reactions are a little slower than normal. 
4. Relax! - if possible, try to rest for the remainder of the day/evening following your treatment to allow your body to respond to the treatment. If possible, treat yourself to a nice relaxing bath.