Drinking Alcohol After Receiving A Massage

[Barcode]

I'm always encouraging my clients to drink lots of water after receiving their massage and discouraging them from drinking alcohol immediately after receiving a massage, but how long after receiving a massage is a reasonable time to wait before having perhaps one or two drinks?

I had a new client this afternoon (a Russian gentleman who has lived in the U.S. for 12 years) and he wasn't too excited about drinking extra water after receiving his massage, but agreed to do so. Since Saturday night is when he typically drinks socially with friends he wanted to know if it was okay to have a little cognac tonight.

Personally I'm not much of a drinker and I choose not to drink at all on days when I receive a massage, but in his case I didn't see that having a drink or two eight hours or more after receiving a massage as beeing a problem. Anyone else have some thoughts on this they can share?

 

[proud_mommy]

I think he is fine. The extra water would still be better for him, of course, but he could drink the water and then continue on with his routine.

 

[frankngstein]

Essentail oils can also be a concern with alcohol afterwards. Clary Sage in particular can make you get drunk much much much faster than normal for that day. Clary Sage is usually used in PMS-type blends.

Carrot Seed essential oil is also a bit of an issue, it is a liver detox EO - even without drinking, people can wake up the next day feeling like they've got a hangover because the liver has had to cope with more than usual - add alcohol consuption and that's a BIG hangover. it seems to do the detox for quite a few days after exposure to the essential oil.

 

[Beeba]

Essentail oils can also be a concern with alcohol afterwards. Clary Sage in particular can make you get drunk much much much faster than normal for that day. Clary Sage is usually used in PMS-type blends.

Carrot Seed essential oil is also a bit of an issue, it is a liver detox EO - even without drinking, people can wake up the next day feeling like they've got a hangover because the liver has had to cope with more than usual - add alcohol consuption and that's a BIG hangover. it seems to do the detox for quite a few days after exposure to the essential oil.

I would never have thought of that! I don't drink alcohol ever, so I've never given it much thought beyond what we were told in class. That is interesting!

 

[Jessica F]

Water mythology

On drinking water..there is actually no evidence of "toxins" being released or any other reason to increase water consumption after a massage......

Water saluable nutrients involved with muscle pain, function and recovery are more useful....

b1 b6 b12 C potassium magnesium calcium and folic acid have all been shown to have a negative effect on muscle pain and function when they are low.....and if you drink alcohol it flushes these nutrients because of the dehydration effect....

rather than telling clients to drink water..suggest they take an Emergen C or some other "energy" drink which will give them adeqaute amounts of these nutrients....

I have actually had client who were indoctrinated into drinking tons of water and thought that supplement where awful man made chemicals...

she could sleep through the night until she finally lowered her water intake and started to take a regular multivitamin.....


btw if you look at the current ton of anti hangover pills like chaser etc...you will find the same group of nutrients I listed and a handful of almost random other ingrediants....

Later.....

 

[Pompal 09.]

Just dilute before you pollute... that's what I tell my clients of the partyin' kind!

Hiccup!

 

[mr. macfriendly]

Water mythology

On drinking water..there is actually no evidence of "toxins" being released or any other reason to increase water consumption after a massage......

Maybe so, but a vast majority of people are slightly dehydrated rather than over-hydrated, and that can result in a lot of the general symptoms usually labelled as "toxins". Whatever the reason given, water for that dehydrated majority is recommended, wether they've had a massage or not.

 

[Wanna play?]

Just dilute before you pollute... that's what I tell my clients of the partyin' kind!

Hiccup!

I like it! Thanks! I'm happy to report that the results were good for my newest Russian client because he just called me to book another appointment for this coming Saturday afternoon.

 

[Deb]

Water mythology

rather than telling clients to drink water..suggest they take an Emergen C or some other "energy" drink which will give them adeqaute amounts of these nutrients....

I was introduced to the EmergenC packs by a dental hygienist and I always have them with me when I do my outcalls. If this coming Saturday evening is another cognac night for my Russian client and his comrades, I'll leave him a couple packs and remind him to take one after the massage and another before he goes out.

I have actually had client who were indoctrinated into drinking tons of water and thought that supplement where awful man made chemicals...

she could sleep through the night until she finally lowered her water intake and started to take a regular multivitamin.....

I take it you meant to write "she couldn't sleep through the night until...."

btw if you look at the current ton of anti hangover pills like chaser etc...you will find the same group of nutrients I listed and a handful of almost random other ingrediants....

Maybe I should give him another pack to take before he goes to bed too.

Cheers!

 

[Raga]

Water mythology

she could sleep through the night until she finally lowered her water intake and started to take a regular multivitamin.....

Later.....

And now she can't? Some nights I'm up every hour.

Anyway, it sounds like we need to conduct a scientific experiment. :beerchug:

 

[tracky]

poor typing me

yup she couldn't sleep..switched the multi to night time bingo just fine..

If you are interested in the scientific literature on nutritional involvement you can read the perpetuating factors chapter in Vol 1 of travell and Simmons myofascial pain and dysfunction…

Or here are three paper which highlight vitamin/mineral involvement in pain and its treatment…

I cannot post links to full text articals because they are proprietary scientific journals..but if you are near a university library they will generally have electronic copies or you can email the authors and they will have a grad student email you a pdf copy..

Gerwin RD
A review of myofascial pain and fibromyalgia--factors that promote their persistence.
Acupunct Med. 2005 Sep;23(3):121-34. Review.


Chang WD, Wang YS, Chou CS, Chen WJ, Huang YS, Liaw SY.
Functional approach to treatment of back pain in primary care: a preliminary report.
Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi (Taipei). 1994 Jun;53(6):338-45.

McAlindon TE.
Regional musculoskeletal pain. The knee.
Baillieres Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 1999 Jun;13(2):329-44. Review.


I think if you go to pubmed you can get the full text for the Gerwin review..he reviews all the scientific studies to date on fibro and myofascial pain...full of excellent info...pubmed will also allow you to access the abstracts..shor synopsis of the papers…

science...yup they have done studies...

 

[The Joker: Midnight Clown]

Water mythology

On drinking water..there is actually no evidence of "toxins" being released or any other reason to increase water consumption after a massage......

Really? I took that for truth, it was pounded into us in school and seems consistent with my experience. Why are we taught that toxins are released and water is specifically usefull against the bad effects?

 

[johnny 99]

The thing I was always puzzled by in school is how our instructor always spoke about toxins but could never say specifically what any of them are. Does anyone know?

From my research I have discovered that our bodies are amazing machines which self-regulate (for the most part) and don't need any real help eliminating toxins - and even if they do, the typical massage isn't going to be of much help. Lymphatic massage may help but I'm not well-versed in that area so if someone knows more about it, help me out.

Clients are always asking me, "I know I should drink a lot of water after this is, huh?" I teach them that staying properly hydrated all the time is important but there is no need to increase their fluid intake after a massage as long as they are getting plenty of fluids in general. I do give my clients a bottle of water, or cup of hot tea or cocoa after a session, but mainly because one's mouth gets so dry after lying face down and mouth-breathing for a half-an-hour.

I guess there never will be a remedy for the combination of sinuses and gravity! :

 

[arman]

The thing I was always puzzled by in school is how our instructor always spoke about toxins but could never say specifically what any of them are. Does anyone know?

Lactic acid?

 

[merget]

Nope, not lactic acid - but that's what they all try to tell us. :banghead:

Read this excerpt:

Most runners still believe that lactic acid is released during hard or unaccustomed exercise and that this is what limits running performance, as well as being the cause of stiffness. Neither is correct. But not even is the terminology of “lactic acid”.

Lactic acid does not exist as an acid in the body: it exists in another form called “lactate”, and it is this that is actually measured in the blood when “lactic acid” concentration is determined, as is done from time to time. This distinction is important not only for the sake of correctness, but more importantly, because lactate and lactic acid would have different physiological effects.

The greatest myth is that lactic acid is the cause of the stiffness felt after an event such as a marathon. Stiffness is due mostly to damage to the muscle, and not an accumulation of lactic acid or lactic acid crystals in the muscle.

The full text can be found here:

http://www.time-to-run.com/theabc/lactic.htm

Can anyone else tell me what these "toxins" are that so many therapists speak of? And, it's interesting to note, that you don't hear this terminology in other health fields - so why do we use it? To sound important or legitimate. There's nothing legimate about having a client ask you, "What toxins?" and fumbling for an answer... :shock:

 

[moderateprofessor]

Honestly, I don't talk about toxins being removed by massage, but I also don't argue it. If massage increases the circulation of blood and lymph, and blood and lymph do filter toxins from the body, then I guess massage is assisting in removing toxins. Toxins are waste products as well as other "junk" not supposed to be in our bodies that we ingest or inhale or apply directly to our skin to be absorbed into our tissues. We're full of the stuff, actually, and it's not good for us! Massage is not going to reverse this fact, nor is drinking enough water, but both may very well assist in taking out the trash, and I can't see putting anyone down for working with that intention. My focus is increasing mobility while decreasing/alleviating pain, and I see that while relaxation is not my focus, it still happens. If toxin removal happens too, all the better!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Rose of Sharon,

I wouldn't say we're arguing the issue of toxins, simply sharing what we know or have learned - something that happens in every thread on this board. I think we should all work harder to educate (or re-educate) one another. It benefits the entire bodywork community when we work to dispel these long-held myths about the benefits of massage and bodywork. There are enough real benefits without having to tout false ones.

And while I appreciate your "definition" of toxins, you still haven't given a specific example of what these toxins might be and how massage could possibly remove them.

 

[Annorofah]

Rose of Sharon,

I wouldn't say we're arguing the issue of toxins, simply sharing what we know or have learned - something that happens in every thread on this board. I think we should all work harder to educate (or re-educate) one another. It benefits the entire bodywork community when we work to dispel these long-held myths about the benefits of massage and bodywork. There are enough real benefits without having to tout false ones.

And while I appreciate your "definition" of toxins, you still haven't given a specific example of what these toxins might be and how massage could possibly remove them.

Sorry, I didn't mean to sound annoyed at this thread! I didn't see arguing here, but I've seen the subject disintegrate into worse a few times. I do agree that the term "massage flushes out toxins" is pounded into students heads in many schools, with absolutely NO backing or information on how to respond to questions about that. Like I said, I do NOT use this line with my clients or with anyone else. I just also will not go so far as to say it is not a benefit, or that someone repeating the line is touting false benefits. I do feel that if someone is in the uncomfortable position of having said this to clients, and a client comes back with the questions of what toxins and how does massage possibly help remove them....toxins are any substance in our bodies that are toxic. Stool is full of potentially harmful bacteria. Constipation causes it to remain in the body, bacteria multiplies and illness can (and will) result if it is not resolved. Specific massage techniques DO help to resolve constipation - so does drinking enough water - for many people. This is only ONE of many such examples. It's just not what I want to get into with all of my clients.

 

[Helpp]

Sharon,

Excellent example! And how often do you get to use "stool" in a post? :shock:

While that's not exactly the sort of toxins that instructors are using to strike fear into the hearts of aspiring therapists everywhere (like the drama?) it is certainly a good point.

Thanks for that.

 

[Jizzflakes Jr.]

Sharon,

Excellent example! And how often do you get to use "stool" in a post? :shock:

While that's not exactly the sort of toxins that instructors are using to strike fear into the hearts of aspiring therapists everywhere (like the drama?) it is certainly a good point.

Thanks for that.

ROFLOL!! You are right, it is NOT what *they* are probably talking about! And I don't use "stool" much in life at all, certainly not on the www! I was being BOLD! :shock: