Drink Lots of Water, We Really Mean It



Posted: Wednesday, August 05, 2009

by Cathy Lafever
Absolutely Kneaded Massage Therapy

Each time a new client arrives in my office, I go over the same guidelines with them before they get on the table. Undress to where you are comfortable, everything covered by a swimsuit will be covered by the blanket and the sheet at all times, start with your head at this end face up, etc. And I always be sure to say "Drink lots of water." This however seems to be the phrase that goes in one ear and out the other. The reason for drinking lots of water after a massage is to flush the toxins we just released from your muscles out of your body.

Toxins in your muscles, how did that happen? Whenever you work out and your muscles are sore the next day, that is due to a build-up of lactic acid in your muscles which is a toxin. These build up over time from everyday activities and when you get a massage, they are released into the blood stream. If they are not flushed out of the body by drinking lots of water or by lots of sweating, they will find a new place to settle and call home. That could be in another muscle, causing more soreness, or it could go up to your head giving you a terrible headache. So next time your therapist tells you to drink lots of water, listen to them, and do yourself and your muscles a favor.

Cathy Lafever, LMT is the owner of Absolutely Kneaded Massage Therapy and has been in practice since 2003 in Spartanburg, SC.

This Article has been viewed 201 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
No comments yet.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.