When you have a professional massage, you often get the advice that you should drink lots of water afterward. But does this advice really make sense? And what are the reasons behind it? I’ll tell you all about it in the following article.
Short Answer
A massage makes you feel more relaxed and healthy in the long run. However, it can have the opposite effect in the short term. Since massage releases toxins and metabolic waste much faster than usual, you may feel unwell or even slightly ill after a massage. Drinking enough water before and after the massage helps against this. By giving your body enough fluids, you help it to get rid of the unwanted substances and recover faster.
Long Answer
You have now learned in short form why you should drink water after a massage. I would now like to expand on this. To do this, I will go into more detail about the individual reasons. I will also tell you why drinking water before a massage is even better.
Help with Detoxification
During a massage, toxins are released. The kidneys process these, so they are excreted through the urine. The water flushes the toxins into the kidneys and helps you get rid of them. By drinking after your massage, you thus support your immune system.1
Release metabolic Waste faster
Metabolic waste refers to substances in the body that cannot be utilized. During a massage, these are released much faster than usual. This is especially true when the massage takes the form of lymphatic drainage.
Metabolic waste can constrict your muscles. This, in turn, leads to improper flow of toxin flushing. Drinking enough water helps to hydrate and loosen your muscles. Thus you help your body to get rid of metabolic waste.
Read more about it here: After a Massage I feel sick – What can I do?
Massages are dehydrating
It’s no secret that your body is up to 65% water.2 However, the force exerted on your body during massage releases fluid from your muscles into the bloodstream. This fluid needs to be refilled, so your body doesn’t become dehydrated. That means drinking lots of water!
Reduce Soreness
If you do not regularly go for a massage, your muscles are not used to the physical stress. Similar to intense sports, sore muscles can be the result. Drinking water hydrates the muscles and can reduce soreness.
You should read this if you feel sore after using a massage gun: Sore after using a Massage Gun: Why it happens and what you can do
Better drink Water before the Massage
You should drink enough water not only after the massage but preferably before it as well. So your body is hydrated throughout the massage. As a result, the mentioned positive effects of water occur earlier. For example, your kidneys are supported from the beginning to remove toxins released during the massage. Also, you will not feel so exhausted immediately after the massage.
Conclusion – Why should I drink Water after a Massage?
It is not a myth that you should drink water after a massage. On the contrary, you absolutely should before and after the massage to help your body to recover. I have explained the background of this in detail.
I hope that I could help you with that!
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