What is a Massage?
A massage is a deep relaxation treatment. It can focus on a special body part – such as the head, the feet or the back, or it can be a full-body massage. Oils are usually used – and essential oils are added if the massage is an aromatherapy one.

Preparation for Massage
• Exfoliate your whole body prior to your treatment and leave it clean of any products.
• Remove all jewellery.
• Leave your worries behind you.
• Arrive 5 minutes before your treatment so that you’ll be completely relaxed before the beginning of the treatment.

The Massage
Once in the treatment room, you will be asked to remove all clothing except your under-pants. You will be asked to lie on the massage bed face down and to cover yourself with a sheet. The treatment will usually start with disinfecting your feet with some wipes, then the therapist will massage the back of your legs and will work up to your back and back of arms. Then you will be asked to flip over and the therapist will massage the front of your legs, your arms, your shoulders, décolleté and scalp. Massaging of your tummy and breasts (for women) is optional.

Once Leaving the Salon
• Try to relax and take it easy for the rest of the day – if you can and feel the need to, nap.
• Drink plenty of water for 24 hours after your massage as your lymph nodes, which have been stimulated, are removing toxins from the body. Your urine might be much darker than usual – this is due to the toxins leaving your body.
• Avoid heat treatments (hot baths / showers, body wraps, saunas, sunbeds) for 24 hours.
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, caffeine and fizzy drinks as they can dehydrate your body and add more toxins to your body. This would reverse the effects of the massage, since the massage is in-turn aiding the body in removing the accumulation of toxins.
• Avoid eating a heavy and especially spicy meal so your body can focus on natural healing and detoxifying itself.

‘Healing Reactions’ may take place after your massage and are completely normal-showing that the massage is working well and your body is responding to the treatment. Indications of this may result in the following:
• Fatigued or tired (although this could be a sign of deep relaxation, especially if you are usually always on the go)
• Increased sweating, thirst or urination
• Irritable or energised
• Heightened emotions (low or high)
• Runny, stuffy or blocked nose
• Sound sleeping and vivid dreams

Maintaining your Results
Massages are recommended often, especially due to the fast-paced and stressful lives that we are living. To maintain the results, you can try the following:
• Take a warm bath once a week – this will help to loosen up your muscles.
• Relax and distress – listen to music, burn some essential oils, etc.
• Find time to exercise (especially strength training) and stretch (yoga is excellent).
• Exfoliate and moisturize your body regularly.
• Stand up and walk around and stretch – especially if sitting a long time at a desk and / or on the computer.
• Throughout the day, massage your shoulders, and other areas that feel stiff.
• Sit in a correct position and you might want to raise your legs a bit.