Drink water

Over half our body is made up of water (depends on age, gender and overall health). So it only makes sense to drink water right? Drinking water helps to flush out toxins released from the muscles and properly re-hydrates your muscles therefore reducing muscle aches and pains after a massage. This is perhaps the most important rule of all. Rehydration is key to a healthy body, especially after a massage. Since massage promotes lymphatic movement, drinking water and hydrating yourself is key to moving toxins through the kidneys and out of the body. A glass or two of water can also help to center your body/mind since a massage treatment can sometimes leave us feeling a bit spacey.

Stretch

Especially with a Deep Tissue Massage, your muscle fibers need to realign and be flushed of the toxins released from the muscle. Stretching can help to do this realignment and improve proper muscle recovery therefore reducing post massage muscle pain.

Hydrotherapy (Epsom Salt Bath/Whirlpool/Infrared Sauna)

Similar to the effects of drinking water and stretching, hydrotherapy can also prolong the sense of relaxation to your body/mind and induce a deeper sleep that night while promoting healthy muscle recovery. A nice warm bath is very soothing after a massage, particularly with Epsom Salts. Epsom Salts are just Magnesium Sulfate, which is a natural muscle relaxer. They are also wonderful at drawing out toxins in the body, as is massage, so you may get a sort of detoxifying effect which is very beneficial to the body. You can get Epsom Salts at most grocery stores or pharmacies. If you don't have Epsom Salts, don't worry - a nice warm bath will do just fine. Please note that I said warm and not scalding hot! This is important because if you have any inflammation in the muscles the excessive heat can serve to exacerbate the injury. If you have a very sore muscle or injury, try icing the area.

Nutrition 

Massage Therapy has a big effect on circulation and stimulates digestion among other systems of the body. Keeping a small snack with you to eat after a massage will provide your body with an instant electrolyte boost (especially if you tend to feel light headed after massages)

Urinate

I know, this sounds kinda strange. Most people may not even feel like they need to but when you urinate, you are getting rid of toxins that your body cannot use. So drink plenty of water then pee.

Pay Attention To Your Body's Reaction To The Massage

Why?  You may be sore after the massage. This is normal with Deep Tissue massage, but it can happen with the more gentle Swedish Massage as well. Sometimes you may not feel the soreness until the next day. Why? Well, as mentioned before, massage is a sort of passive exercise. If you are not one to get massages often, or do not exercise and are not used to using the muscles, then they may respond with soreness. This should only last for a day or perhaps two; anything more indicates that perhaps your therapist worked on you a little too hard. This should be adjusted in the next segment. You can help your therapist by stretching before you arrive for your segment. Remember anything that was particularly painful and report this to your therapist at your next visit. The therapist should be open to what you are saying and should tailor your visit from the information they receive from you.

Rest

Why? You may feel tired, as if you want to lie down and take a nap. This is completely normal, and you should listen to your body. If you can, make sure you have nowhere to go and nothing to do after your massage. Massage is not just work on the body; it is work on the mind too. It helps to destress and relax you; this in turn may make you feel tired. This is your time to recover your mind and body and it is your body's time to rebalance itself and retune. Don't feel like you SHOULD be doing something. There is nothing worse than hearing a client say, "Oh, that felt great. Too bad I have to go back to work." or "I think I'll go work out now". Make time for yourself and your body will thank you.

Welcome Different Emotions

Why? Sometimes, if you have been experiencing lots of stress, you may feel the need to cry after the massage. Alternatively, you may feel elated, on cloud nine, or full of energy. Either response is normal. Try not to suppress these emotions. The massage may channel these feelings and multiply them; whichever way, this is what the body needs. Allow them to come and you will feel that much better afterwards.

Also, it is important to avoid any strenuous activities after a massage and avoid negative people who create stress for you!