By Andrew Grover – Bodhi Massage and Wellness Center | Expert Advice
We all wish we could get a massage every day, but unless your Bob Hope (yes, it’s true, he got a massage every day and lived to a vibrant 100!) or Brangelina this is most likely not happening. So what can you do in between massage treatments to keep your muscles and joints in prime health?
1. Stretch: Keep your muscles and joints lengthened and lubricated with a daily stretching routine. Staying mobile keeps our bodies young. Your massage therapist can offer some suggestions and stretches for specific problem areas you might have that can benefit you .
When doing your stretches, keep in mind you need to hold the pose for about 30 seconds. Anything less than 20 seconds won’t make a significant difference in lengthening muscle fibers and tissue. The proprioceptors in the muscle fibers needs time to recognize their “new length”, otherwise they return to their old form as if you were taking your muscles through normal movement.
2. “Check In” With Your Body: Stop for a few seconds throughout the day to assess how your body is feeling and where you sense stress, pain, or postural issues. Take a moment to “shake it out”, stretch, and breathe….
3. Take an Epsom Salt Bath: A warm bath with 2 cups Epsom Salt is detoxifying, relaxing, eases muscle and joint pain, and reduces inflammation. Add a few drops of essential oils, such as Lavender, for an extra special treat.
4. Foam Roller or Tennis Ball: Utilize these tools to assist in lengthening muscle tissue and releasing sore muscles. Foam rollers can be found at sporting goods stores or easily ordered online. You can lay on these dense foam cylinders and roll them along different muscles groups using your body weight. They feel amazing and can really steamroll the tension out of tight or sore muscles. Similarly, you can utilize a tennis ball to pin point more specific or smaller areas and roll out those kinks.
5. Drink Plenty of Water: Water, of course, if our life source! It helps nourish and lubricate every cell in our bodies. Drinking plenty of clean fresh water daily is crucial to health, longevity, and youthfulness. How can your muscles, joints, and ligaments operate optimally and pain free, if they are dehydrated and struggling? And that “knot” that just won’t go away….it may just need a good flush of fluids to break up the stagnation.
Bonus Tip: Keep your body in excellent health and have something to look forward to by booking your next massage. When we put things on the calendar we’re more likely to follow through and maintain our commitment to take care of our bodies. Regular massage therapy has been proven to help with muscle and joint health, circulation, depression, stress, anxiety, and overall feelings of satisfaction in life, and much more. It’s truly about health maintenance and quality of life! You only get one body in this life…..take care of it.
