hydrotherapy, hydration and massage

By Stephen Clynick, Registered Massage Therapist

As all of my patients know, and future ones will find out, I love to recommend hydrotherapy and hydration following a massage therapy session.  I have always tried to explain why both are necessary following a massage, specifically a deep tissue therapeutic massage.  But sometimes leaving a massage is more like floating a cloud and information given during and after treatments may slip through the cracks. This article will be a brief synopsis on the benefits of hydrotherapy and hydration.

Hydration

Much like a really intense workout, massage can take a toll on one's muscles.  Massage is muscle manipulation which can deplete muscles of much needed water.  Drinking water, throughout the day, will replenish the lost water and make the following day much more enjoyable.  Patients who tend to skip this step may suffer from pain or fatigue, through muscle dehydration, kind of like the next day following a workout.  Reintroducing water back into the muscle cells will make the benefits of massage much greater.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy is defined as the use of water, hot or cold and in this case would be following a therapeutic massage.  There are many options we can use to achieve the necessary results however, I will be focusing on some of the basic applications that I recommend which include ice packs, hot packs and hot baths.

Cold application following a treatment will help reduce inflammation.  I recommend this type of therapy when a patient is suffering from an acute injury or when the treatment itself is a little more on the deeper side with regards to pressure applied.  Cold application will slow down nerve conduction and decrease pain.  Ice can be beneficial post treatment to flush metabolites released during massage. 

Heat application following a treatment will prolong the relaxing effects of the massage by increasing or maintaining good blood flow to the muscles.  Increased blood flow provides muscles with more oxygen and nutrients used for the repair of damaged muscle tissue.

Whether it's hot or cold or a combination of both, using these tools alongside drinking plenty of water will make the effects of a great massage longer lasting and more enjoyable.  Our body is made up of mainly water and we need it to survive.  A great massage can always be made better, if we just follow these simple tips.

Stephen Clynick, Registered Massage Therapist

Steve has worked as a Registered Massage Therapist for 19 years, and grew up in the Kingston Road Village area. Steve specializes in treating with deep tissue massage, post-competition recovery, and enjoys treating pre and postpartum women as he knows how beneficial massage therapy can be during these periods. Steve and his wife have three children and an English bulldog.