When You Should Get A Massage
The truth is, there is no right or wrong time to have a massage. Getting a massage in the morning, afternoon, or night are all fine. You can have a massage at any time! You can have a massage every day if you want!! The first and most obvious point is that no two bodies are the same. Our lifestyle, work ethics, movements, diet, and body conditions are never the same. If massage has worked for someone, it does not mean the same thing works for you. Therefore, it depends on your pain and physical needs, your stress and emotional needs, and of course, your budget. Although, receiving massages regularly will have the most benefit.
When and how often you should get one is based on the goals you would like to achieve with massage therapy. Here are some personal factors that you can consider as to how you can determine when is the best time to get a massage.
Your Availability
The key is to select a time slot when you know you will have time to relax right after the massage. While it is extremely tempting to jump right back into your grueling schedule just as you are done with your massage session, since your body feels light and supple, you should take time out for your body to recover from the hard strokes, tissue manipulations. A fully recovered body has way more benefits than an overworked body right after the massage. Everyone is different and what will work for others may not work for you. If you have a different timing that works for you, go for it! What is important is getting the most from your massage.
Your Lifestyle
If your goal is to perform better at a particular event and a particular time or to recover properly in between the races or games, the timing of getting a massage DOES matter! While training for an event like a marathon, you may want to schedule massages a bit more often than usual. Weekly or bi-weekly massage can help get you in proper form and help you recover faster after the event or competition. Pre-event massage can warm up and stretch muscles, aiding in injury prevention. It also stimulates blood flow, reduces tension, removes lactic acid buildup, and improves range of motion and muscle flexibility, resulting in improved power and performance. It is not recommended to have your first ever massage just before a competition. Post-event massage is done immediately following the event and helps the athlete recover from the activity. It helps to reduce post-exercise soreness and re-establish range of motion and blood flow to tight muscles. However, people respond to a massage in different ways and it is best to discover how it works for you during a training period.
Stress Management
Stress can undo all of the hard work you’re putting in at the gym, and by eating right. Massage can help reduce tension, lower high blood pressure, and reduce the cortisol levels in the body.
Your Budget
For many, regular massage may not be within the budget. Medcursor offers massage product that meets your needs and budget.
Whilst when it comes to “when NOT to”, there are some particular times that you shouldn’t get a massage such as when you have acute injuries, sick, fever, or hangover. When you are sick, it is the time when your body is fighting off some form of a virus or a cold or flu. The intense massage session might just make things worse. Also, a massage is not ideal after drinking alcohol. The science behind this is that drinking alcohol expands the blood vessels in the body and the massage can act as a strong stimulus, which may worsen the situation.