We’ve all heard the rumors about how to handle treatment when or after you are sick. Some say that taking vitamins during a cold is recommended – whereas others say that doing so will compromise the efficiency of your treatment plan.
The same thing applies to massages: some say they are not recommended, whereas others say that it is the best thing that you could do after you’ve been sick. We just need to gather all the data and see which is what: should you or shouldn’t you get a massage after you’ve been sick?
Why Massages Are Beneficial in Sickness?
A massage has the ability to bump your body into action, allowing you to heal much faster than you normally would. A massage will push your body to its limits, kick-starting it to heal the cause of your illness, and decreasing the number of days in which you are typically symptomatic. An illness that would normally last for about one or two weeks would suddenly be gone in about 3-4 days.
Bear in mind that only certain types of massages can actually help you out here. A Swedish massage, a hot stone bath, or even a deep tissue massage can be quite helpful in your situation. They will improve your blood circulation to the point where the toxins are quickly eliminated out of your body – allowing you to heal much faster. They can also push out the residue after you have been ill, shortening the feeling of illness after you stop being contagious.
The Disadvantages of Massages during Sickness
As you now know, massages are a great way to flush toxins out of your body. They put your blood circulation back in motion, moving out the toxins and allowing you to get better much faster. It is understandable why people would think that massages can be very helpful; after all, they can “clean” your skin and make everything feel less “sick.” Plus, massages can boost your immune system, relieve your pain, and overall make you feel much better.
However, what you might fail to realize is that while you are sick, your body is also working hard to fight that sickness – so, if you are getting a massage, you are forcing your body to work extra. This is counter-productive, as this is a time when your body needs to rest. In the end, your body may be healing faster, but you might just end up feeling worse – all because your body is struggling to process all the effort that is going through.
During your recovery, it is very important that you keep as much of your energy as possible – in which case, avoiding a deep-tissue massage might be the way to go. Even after most of the sickness has already passed, you would still have to be careful of not overworking your body – lest you want your sickness to come back in its full glory.
Plus, imagine having to lie down with a congested nose, not being able to properly move because you’ll bother the masseuse. You’ll either fumble around continuously while blowing your nose, or you’ll asphyxiate yourself trying to stay still.
The Matter of Contagion
Perhaps the most important aspect of getting a massage during or after an illness is to consider exactly how contagious you are. Granted, a stomach ache caused by eating something bad or other non-contagious illnesses might not be a problem, as long as you are comfortable with it. However, your therapist might not be very happy if you show up at the salon, spreading germs all over the place.
If you feel you are too sick to go to work, then you are too sick to get a massage. Many doctors recommend staying at home even after most of the sickness seems to have come to a pass. You may not look like it, but you may still be contagious.
The Alternative During the Cold
When you are sick and obviously can’t go spreading all your germs at your therapist, you may try some alternatives. Thankfully, today’s technology allows you to get a massage from the comfort of your own home – and all you need is an efficient tool or a willing family member.
If your housemates or family members have already been exposed to your germs, then you may ask them to give you a massage using their own hands or maybe a vibrating massage tool. On the other hand, if you live alone and have no one to give you a massage, some products may actually be helpful with that as well. For example, a comfortable recliner with a back massaging option might be exactly what you need to take some of the pressure off.
When to Go for a Massage?
Obviously, you should go to a massage when you are no longer contagious. Most viruses, even after they have exited the patient’s body, still leave some “gunk” in the body that you can’t seem to get rid of. You feel fatigued, your back muscles seem stiff, and your chest muscles feel tough because of all the coughing you have gone through.
At his point, getting a massage can be quite beneficial. It can relieve the tension in your muscles and improve your circulation, allowing you to feel less fatigued as you go on. Plus, as the tension is released, it may work to release any of the phlegm that has remained trapped in your respiratory system.
Final Thoughts
In the end, you can get a massage after being sick – and it’s actually recommended in order to take out the toxins from your body. However, bear in mind that you should not go if you are contagious. If you are still coughing or sneezing, you should get a massage at home instead. There are so many massagers on the market nowadays that they can fill in for the professional until you get better.
