Whether it’s a one hour or thirty minute massage session that you just had, the therapist would most likely tell you afterwards that you need to drink plenty of water. Why is this so? What role does water play in the aftereffects of a massage on your body? Read on to find out.
Why Should I Get a Massage in the First Place?
Before counting down the reasons why you should hydrate the body after getting a massage, let us take a look at the importance of the act itself. Based from the studies done by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, writings from ancient India, Japan, China, Greece, Egypt, Rome, and Arabic nations had references to massages. It was during the 1850s that massage therapy was introduced in the US.
There are many types of massage techniques available and in general, it involves the act of rubbing, pressing and manipulating the body. As the skin, tendons, muscles and ligaments are stroked, the body becomes pliant and it brings relief for pain as well as stress. Other benefits of massages include relief from anxiety, digestive problems, headaches, insomnia, myofascial pain, joint pain, soft tissue strain, and sports injuries.
Why Should I Drink Plenty of Water after a Massage?
Now, what is the importance of drinking plenty of water after a massage? Take a look at the following list:
• Massages are dehydrating.
Again, the number one thing that a massage therapist will remind you of once you get a massage is that you should drink plenty of water afterwards. As the therapist kneads and works the knots of your muscles, fluid gets pumped out of the soft tissue. It flows through the circulatory system and heads towards the kidneys. This is the reason why clients typically have the urge to urinate right after a massage. The water lost needs to be replaced, thus the need for hydration right after getting a massage.
• Water plays an important role in a variety of bodily functions.
Even when you’re not getting a massage, water plays an important role in a wide array of bodily functions. It helps moisten tissues, protects internal organs, lubricates joints, regulates body temperature, and dissolves nutrients from food so that it can be absorbed by the body. Dehydration is already a possibility if you don’t drink plenty of water during normal days, so you really need to increase your intake after getting a massage.
• Water provides kidneys the hydration it needs to eliminate the newly liberated waste.
When getting a massage, the major knots in the muscles are soothed. When these knots are formed, circulation in that part of the body is also inhibited, decreasing the ability of the body to flush out waste. As circulation improves because of the unknotted muscles, metabolic waste is also flushed out.
• Hydration in general is needed for better overall health.
Finally, the human body loses water daily through perspiration, breathing, urination, and bowel movement. When you get all sweaty after a massage, that is a good thing because it means that that harsh toxins in the body are getting flushed out through sweat. Drinking eight glasses of water per day is recommended, although there are variations depending on the source.
All in all, what’s important is that after getting a massage, you should follow your therapist’s order to drink plenty of water. Through it, you can maximize the health benefits of the massage, and feel utmost relief from stress and pain afterwards.