Health Benefits Of Infrared Sauna Therapy With Massages
At Good Health Saunas®, we really believe were spreading a secret to achieve good health by selling infrared saunas, but we certainly acknowledge the benefits of other wellness activities like massage, acupressure, and acupuncture.
In fact, we feel strongly that the benefits of one can often increase the benefits of another, and its hard to do better than pairing massage with infrared therapy.
Showering Before And After
Theres confusion out there about whether or not people should shower before and after a massage, and this question comes up often! In an effort to keep you and our staff healthy we are asking that you shower before coming to the spa.
We have found that guests are not clear about the short and long term benefits of the oils and lotions that are an integral part of many different types of massage. Many wondering whether massage oils and lotions are meant to soak in, or if they are only helpful during your treatment, the following will help you decide whats best for you.
SHOWERING BEFORE MASSAGE
Lets get one thing out of the way: experienced massage therapists agree that taking a shower before your massage is always a good idea. You should rinse off chlorine, perspiration or other environmental pollutants before your treatment or therapy because you dont want all of that to be rubbed into your skin. A shower will also help loosen up your muscles to help you receive more benefits from the treatment. Using a mild soap will also do well to clean any potential viruses that may have found their way to you. Plus, its easier to feel confident and relaxed about the massage when you know youre squeaky-clean!
SHOWER AFTER MASSAGE
SHOWERING PRE AND POST MASSAGE:WATER TEMPERATURE
How Can I Speed Up Healing From Cupping Marks
There are a few things you can do to speed up how quickly the marks disappear:
Drink plenty of water Keep hydrated, toxins are being flushed from your body so you need to keep well hydrated. This means staying away from alcohol too!
Keep the cupping marks covered Keep the area covered with loose fitting clothing. Dont expose the area to sunlight, and dont bathe or shower.
Rest up Rest is always the best way to help your body recover. Get plenty of sleep, dont exercise within 24 hours, and try to not lay on the cupping marks.
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What Is A Table Shower Massage
As the name suggests, a table shower simply describes a situation where clients lie down on modified tables. They are then showered with water draining from more than five showerheads attached to a water pipe. A typical table shower involves being showered with huge amounts of water, pouring at an estimated speed of 13 gallons per minute.
With the client’s direction, the masseuse may move the water bar and direct the water streams to specific parts of the body. For a better experience, the therapist may opt for handheld showerheads, adjust the water temperature, water pattern of movements, and more options. However, a standard or ideal therapy involves an entire body water massage, which is achieved by adjusting the position of water jets.
Massage experts recommend that clients consider a table shower after undergoing a normal body scrub. In most cases, salons and spas combine this therapy with manual massage to give clients holistic pleasure. In some Asian countries, this table shower involves sexual massage.
List of favorite table showers:
History Of The Table Shower
The exact origin of a table shower is not entirely clear. However, it got its popular name Vichy shower after the small town in Central France. It is the place with a long tradition of hydrotherapy.
The legend says that Julius Caesar discovered the therapeutic waters of the springs while trying to conquest ancient Gaul . His hard-ridden, exhausted horses drank the Vichy waters and recovered from the fatigue right away.
As soon as the Romans discovered the potential of the thermal springs, they started constructing spas in that area.
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What Should You Avoid Doing After A Massage
Generally speaking, any activity that could put unnecessary stress on your body should be avoided in the hours after a massage. Experts specifically warn against doing the following post-massage:
- Taking hot showers
- Drinking coffee
- Forget to stretch
It seems like a lot, doesnt it? Lets look at why experts urge the recently rubbed to avoid each task.
Hydration Makes The Massage Better
Massage stimulates circulation and the removal of waste from the muscles. In order to properly facilitate that flushing process, the body needs a lot of water. In the aftermath of your massage, your muscles will likely be dehydrated especially if you werent properly hydrated before you came in. Be prepared to hydrate yourself after the massage. If you dont, you may feel residual soreness after the fact.
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Everything Your Massage Therapist Wants You To Know Before Your Appointment
If youre scheduling your first massage appointment, you may not know what to expect. Every massage therapist is slightly different in his or her technique, but there are a few things that ring true no matter who you book with. Put your mind at ease beforehand so that you can fully enjoy your massage in the moment.
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TipIs Rarely IncludedNot only does your therapist deserve a tip making you feel luxurious as all get-out, he or she is doing it via physical contact. The restaurant or service rule of tipping 15 to 20 percent is usually fair, says Waluga, who explains that even though its customary, tipping is optional at the end of the day. In states like New York, massage therapists are licensed under nursing and considered healthcare professionals, she says. That means if youre getting a massage somewhere like a physical therapy office as opposed to a spa, they may not expect a tip .
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What To Wear During The Treatment
You can always choose to enjoy table shower without any clothes on if the state law doesnt require the opposite. However, in most cases, people want to keep their privacy by using towels over their bodies. You can use disposable undergarments, as well.
Keep in mind that you need to take a bath thoroughly before lying down on the shower table. The therapist will tell you when to lie down on the back and when it is time to turn over to your stomach.
Notice Your Bodys Reaction
Have you ever left a massage feeling a little sore in your muscles? Or perhaps youve noticed it the next day? This is also normal its most common after a deep tissue massage, but can happen after a more gentle massage as well. Remember that through massage we are working the muscles, so its like a passive form of exercise. As well as this, when muscles get overly tight, they can constrict the blood vessels in the area. Over time, this stops the circulatory system from effectively flushing out the waste in that area and you can get a build-up, which causes soreness. When releasing this tension, the blood can start flushing out those toxins, but it can leave you feeling a bit tender, like youve just had a workout . If you have regular massage, you might find this decreases over time, however it does depend on what you do between visits or how often you get a massage. This soreness should not be too severe more like the ache after a big exercise session. And it shouldnt last more than a day or two. If it does last longer, this is can be an indication that the massage therapist might have worked the muscles a little too hard. It is important to tell your massage therapist at your next session if anything was particularly painful so that the treatment can be modified next time. Remember that massage therapists arent mind readers but with adequate feedback from you, your therapist should be able to tailor the massage to your needs.
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Things To Do Before And After A Massage
So, you are leaving your office and heading to a massage parlour to get a massage that will sanguinely enliven you!
It sure is a great idea but in order to get the best results out of your massage, there are a certain must do things you need to take care of before and after massage.
Things to Do Before a Massage
1. Drink Plenty of Water
Water can only affect your body in a good way. It hydrates your body and helps flush out the toxins piled up in your body. In the event you do not drink enough water, the toxins in your body will leave your system sore and sick. Even doctors recommend that one should drink 8 to 12 oz of water every day.
2. Avoid Smoking
In case you are a smoker, make sure that you dont smoke an hour prior to the massage session. Massaging helps your immune system release toxins through your skin. However, if this process happens soon after you lit your last cigarette, you wont really like the resulting odour. And the fact that the odour is coming from your pores, it is going to stay with you long after the session has ended.
3. Listen to the Therapist
If you are new to the world of spas and massages, it would be advisable that you listen carefully to each and every instruction that the massage therapist has to dole out to you.
Things to Do After a Massage
Alright, you had an awesome massage but you cant just dress up, pack your bags and go. Any therapist would recommend you to do a few things before you leave the parlour.
1. Steam Bath
Before Or After: No Right Way
Regardless of whether you choose to spend time in an infrared sauna before or after your massage, youll enjoy the amplified benefits of both. Those health benefits will, however, be slightly different depending on your schedule.
Enjoying infrared radiation before a massage means youll arrive at the table more relaxed. Your muscles will be warm and in prime condition for deeper stretching and tension relief.
If you choose to follow your massage with heat therapy in your sauna, youll enjoy the detoxifying benefits as your sweat and circulation whisks accumulated toxins and waste out of your system.
Either way you choose, youll benefit. Its the definition of win-win!
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Preparing Yourself To Best Enjoy Your Massage
- May 11, 2018
A one-hour massage with your therapist is often over far too quickly. However, even if one massage wont heal all your ills, preparing yourself in advance can maximize your experience and all its benefits. Here are some tips for your next massage.
Stay Hydrated
Being well hydrated before your massage is very important for the elimination of toxins that are released into the bodys circulation during treatment. Drinking water or herbal teas are excellent methods for staying hydrated. Avoid regular tea, coffee, alcohol, or any other stimulants.
Eat Lightly
Although it may not bother your therapist, it can be awkward if your stomach is noisy due to digestion. Its preferable to eat at least one hour in advance of your massage or, if youre afraid youll get hungry, eat a fruit or other food thats easy to digest.
Take a Hot Shower
A massage is a hands-on treatment during which your therapist massages your muscles as well as your skin. Therefore, theres nothing better than feeling clean before treating yourself to a massage. Yes, youll have to take another shower afterwards to remove the excess oil or gel, but hot water on your body will also help relax your muscles.
Dress Comfortably
Arrive in Advance
Communicate your Needs
Relax during the massage
Enjoy your massage!
Should You Shower After A Massage Yes But
It can be tempting to hop in the shower right after getting a massage to rinse off the sticky oil, but should you?
One of the most confusing things about post-massage care is whether to go for a shower afterward or not.
Both a hot shower and a massage can be relaxing, so its only beneficial to do one after the other. Or is it?
If you are uncertain whether its a good idea to shower immediately following a massage, this article will help you decide.
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Things You Should Never Do After Sex
Gird your loins.
When you think of the times that you feel the most relaxed and happy, the blissed-out buzz you get after an orgasm ranks right up there with a deep tissue massage. But what you choose to do while buzzed impacts your vag.
“When the vaginal tissues have been lubricated, swollen, and rubbed against during intercourse, it changes how that tissue reacts to the environment,” says Kansas-based gynecologist Leslie E. F. Page, M.D. “Primarily, you run a much greater risk of infection.”
Here, we break down the stuff you should never, ever do after sex if you want to keep your lady parts happy.
When P meets V, bacteria can get pushed into your bladder. “This can result in post-intercourse bladder infections,” says Robert Wool, M.D., ob-gyn, “You can have some snuggle time, just empty your bladder within an hour of sex.”
Once you pop a squat, wipe from front to back to avoid spreading fecal matter from your anus to V-zone. “Due to swelling and micro-abrasions that can occur during intercourse, your vulvar and vaginal skin is particularly tender and prone to infection,” says Page.
Some women might feel the urge to soap up downtown after a sack sesh, but that’s really unnecessary. Not only might you have an allergic reaction if your post-sex skin reacts differently to the harsh chemicals in cleansers, but “using soap can lead to vaginal irritation and dryness,” Wool says.
When Should You Shower After A Massage
Many people feel a shower or bath after a massage is actually a healthy and normal thing to do. When in fact, it is quite the opposite. Whether you receive an oil massage, aromatherapy, or reflexology, the answer is to not shower before a massage or after. Leave a few hour buffer period before doing so.
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Should You Shower After Cupping
Its best if you dont shower immediately afterwards. The skin will be tender and sensitive to temperature, ideally, you should give your skin 24 hours so you can see the effects of the cupping.
If you really need to shower then use lukewarm water. Dont scrub the area that has been treated, and dont soak the area.
The Interesting History Of Table Showers
While the exact history of table showers is unclear, what stands out is that the name Vichy therapy is from the Vichy town in France, which has a long history of hydrotherapy. Even though it became popular in Asia, the chances are that this type of kneading has its roots in Europe.
Some history enthusiasts claim that one famous medieval French royalty, Julius Caesar, came across the therapeutic Vichy Springs as he sought to conquer Gaul. It is reported that his horse drank water from these springs and recovered immediately from intense fatigue. This made the ruler believe that water from the springs had healing capabilities and began building spas around the area.
It was until the 19th century that most people heard of this process globally. Several decades later, approximately 1500 years after, thousands of people still spend weeks in the springs enjoying the relaxing and therapeutic atmosphere that comes with bathing from Vichy waters in France. Currently, the region plays host to several spas and resorts offering Vichy showers massages.
Similarly, Vichy town remains one of the popular spa cities with more than five natural springs and several establishments offering a wide array of treatment, ranging from oxygen therapy, cold-water therapy, mud cures, mechanical therapy, and carbonate spring baths.
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No Pause Between Treatments
If you have visited massage parlors or spas before, you will agree that you don’t always go there for a session. Sometimes you might prefer mud wrap before a relaxing kneading or any other idea. That said, unlike other contemporary massage treatments, you won’t have to take breaks between mud wrap and actual sessions.
Since you are lying on a shower table, the masseuse will simply clean the mud before proceeding with the kneading and any other treatment. Through this, you remain relaxed the entire period, eliminating the annoying few minutes when you have to pause to take a bath.
Using Drugs Or Alcohol
If theres one thing you should never do the day after having a massage is use recreational substances. Its not just for a single reason, either. Here are some of the bigger reasons why substances should be avoided post-massage:
- It negates the detoxifying benefits of massage. Massage is an excellent way to help boost kidney function and liver function. Thats why a lot of detox centers offer massage services. Drinking and drug use negate that benefit entirely by clogging up your body with more unnecessary waste products.
- Certain drugs can cause body tension to come back. Illicit substances like cocaine and other uppers are known for increasing muscle tension and pushing your body beyond its functional limit. Using these substances will only destroy any health perks you may have gotten otherwise.
- It can lead to an overdose. Massage improves blood flow in your body. If you use certain drugs, the increased blood flow can cause drugs to hit harder than they usually would. Depending on the drug and your tolerance, this can lead to the increased likelihood of an overdose.
- Substance use just isnt healthy.Massages are a healthy thing to enjoy. Drugs and alcohol arent. Why ruin a day of self-care with self-destructive behaviors?
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