9/16/2008

More H2O

This is my first blog and I am very excited to get back into writing. What better way than to communicate with my clients and others searching for answers.

If you have ever had an appt. with me you know that I strongly urge you to drink plenty of water after your session. I see some of you gulping down your glass before you leave, while others roll their eyes at me like I am their nagging mother. Either response is fine, as long as 2-3 extra glasses on top of what you normally drink is imbibed.

Many massage therapists explain that “it flushes out the toxins”. What the heck are toxins and doesn’t my body naturally do that anyways? Your body does flush out the “toxins” on its own, but there are other forces at work during a massage. Number 1, your circulatory system is being amped up regardless of what technique you are receiving. Keeping this in mind, know that your blood is carrying more oxygen and nutrients to your muscles as well as taking away excess lactic acid and other cellular waste products. On another level, the “gunk” in your body is moving faster, hopefully to metabolize as waste. This includes all the chemicals in your food and the pollution in the air. Keeping hydrated helps your body cope with all of this…

On a side note: beer, wine, and anything alcoholic does not count. I have been asked this many times, mostly in jest. Alcohol dehydrates the body which is the exact opposite of what we are trying to accomplish. It has been noted that receiving a massage prior to drinking alcohol can increase its effects. This why it is best to have someone else drive if you are going to go out and have a few glasses the day of a massage.

So going back to what I always say, “Please remember to drink plenty of water today.”