Summer is associated with FUN so let's make sure clients have a lot of it. I expect for many of your clients, summer fun involves sports activities - biking, hiking, golf and tennis, to name a few - and these can be tough on the body, especially ones that have been relatively inactive after months of harsh weather.
Athletic massage is certainly growing in popularity and if you haven't brushed up on those techniques, you might want to think about it now and start honing those skills. Maybe a class is in order to get up to date on joint mobilization, stretching and specific tissue techniques to give an effective athletic massage. Of course, your clients will welcome any therapy that helps relieves clients' sore muscles after they just get back into the swing of summer sports.
In either case, now is a good time to talk to clients about their plans for summer activities - whether rugged athletics or working in the garden - to further build your 'wellness partnership with them. Then talk about the treatments you offer to aid fitness and reduce muscle soreness. But at the same time, you want to encourage your clients to avoid or reduce muscle aches. Here are few tips to share about recovery after exercise in addition to having a massage:
- REST: Time is one of the best ways to recover or heal from just about any illness or injury and it also works well after a hard workout.
- STRETCH: Not just before as they used to advise us but after a workout. Gentle stretching after a tough workout helps muscles recover.
- COOL DOWN: Continuing to move around at a very low intensity for 5 to 10 minutes after a workout helps remove lactic acid from your muscles and may reduce muscles stiffness.
- REPLACE FLUIDS: You lose a lot of fluid during exercise; filling up after exercise is an easy way to boost your recover.
- GET LOTS OF SLEEP: During sleep, your body produces Growth Hormone (GH), which is largely responsible for tissue growth and repair.
Pass on these tips to your clients. They can't help but appreciate your concern for their well being in your care and avoiding pain when they are away from your office.
And on the subject of pain, I wanted to note that tomorrow May 19 is Ida Rolf's Birthday. Rolf, who was born in 1896 and passed away in 1979, is recognized for her huge impact on the acceptance of massage therapies and focused on helping the body to heal itself. The massage industry owes her a vote of thanks for her pioneering work.