5 Questions Every Massage Therapist Should be Able to Answer

Our massage therapists get asked a wide range of questions every day.  Most of them are answered on our frequently asked questions page.  We polled the massage therapists in our office and narrowed the list down to the top 5 questions every massage therapist should be able to answer.

1. “When should I book your next massage?”
• This one varies by patient.  If you’re stiff or sore or are using massage to help treat an injury, we recommend weekly visits at a minimum.  If you are coming in for a massage to relax and dedicate some time to yourself, you could go longer between sessions.  However, we could all use some “me” time, and a weekly massage is an excellent way to practice some self-care. 
2. “Why did I feel sore the next day; is that normal?”
• During the massage, your therapist will work with different muscle groups.  Similar to when you workout, but in a different setting and at a much lower intensity.  It is quite common to feel sore the next day.  If the feeling persists for several days, please call and speak to your massage therapist about what you are experiencing. 
3. “How do I stretch *this* muscle?”
• It depends on the muscle.  Feel free to ask your Academy Massage therapist if you have a particular muscle or muscle group that you just can’t seem to get stretched.  We are happy to give you some pointers! 
4. “What is a ‘knot’?”
• A muscle knot is a common term for a trigger point; they are most commonly found in the back and neck area.  Basically, a knot is a spot in the muscle that has tensed up or began to spasm involuntarily. 
5. “Why do I need to drink water after my massage?”
• Two reasons.  First, a massage will dehydrate you.  Your therapists work on your muscles causes fluid to pump out of the muscle tissue and into your circulatory system, moving towards your kidneys.  That is why you will often need to use the washroom after a massage.  Secondly, as your muscles relax they begin to release metabolic waste (substances leftover from metabolic processes, a fancy term for toxins) into your system.  As your circulation improves as a result of the massage, these toxins need to be flushed out of your system.

Bonus Question - “Is it okay if I have a drink before my massage?”

• Alcohol before a massage is not recommended; massage can increase the effects of alcohol in your system.  As mentioned in answer 5, massage promotes circulation and flushes toxins out of your body.  As delicious as that glass of pinot grigio is (or your drink of choice), it is considered by your body primarily as a toxin.    

What other questions do you have about massage?  We want to hear them!  Comment on this post below, or tag us in your posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.