Is it okay to drink water after my Massage session?

If you’ve had massages before, you’ve probably been told to drink a lot of water after. But why? And is it really necessary?

To get to the bottom of this we first have to discuss a common myth concerning massage that is still being taught and spread to this very day, despite research to the contrary. If you ask some therapists why they recommend drinking water after a massage, they will likely repeat what they’ve been erroneously taught; to flush out toxins that the massage stirred up. This is completely and utterly false. Massage education is lacking in many ways, and this is one of them; outdated theories that have no foundation in science. So, to set the record straight, massage DOES NOT release toxins from the muscles. That’s just not how it works. You also will not get sore after a massage because you didn’t drink “enough” water. That’s just another myth that coincides with the toxin myth.

But it may still be important to drink water after your massage. Why?

Massage does have a diuretic effect. As we push and pull on the tissues, we’re stimulating the lymph vessels just under the surface of the skin, manually pushing fluid through them and to the larger lymphatic vessels and to the kidneys to be excreted. We’re also stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms the body and triggers the bladder to signal that it needs to release. This is the reason many people need to use the restroom right after a massage.

If you’re getting rid of fluid due to your massage, you need to replace it to stay hydrated. And let’s face it, many people don’t drink enough water, so an extra cup or two won’t hurt.

Is it absolutely necessary to drink water after your massage? No.

Is it still recommended? Yes!

The reasoning behind the push for clients to drink water should be based on science, but regardless, drinking a little extra water to stay hydrated is always a good thing, so keep it up.

(info courtesy of My Massage World)

How Massage Therapy & Bodywork can help with Neuropathy symptoms

Neuropathy refers to any condition that causes a dysfunction of the nerves, typically caused by some sort of damage, such as that associated with decreased circulation, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, or localized trauma. Most often, the area affected will have sensations of tingling, numbness, shooting pains, weakness, and/or a heavy feeling. While neuropathy can happen anywhere, you’ll usually hear this term interchanged with one that is actually a bit more specific; peripheral neuropathy. Peripheral neuropathy refers specifically to neuropathy that affects the hands and feet, which may or may not move its way up toward the trunk. 

While there are many causes, the overall pathology remains the same; the nerves controlling sensation and movement of the area are damaged in some way and aren’t sending the “correct” signals up to the brain or out to the associated muscles. And because these nerve functions are so complex, people with neuropathy may experience either sensory or motor function losses and abnormalities, or both, depending on exactly where and to what extent the damage exists within the nerve itself. Some will have just numbness, while others may experience significant pain or weakness. Some may experience all the possible symptoms and others may only have one or two. The combination and severity of symptoms is often unique to each patient and the underlying condition that’s causing the neuropathy in the first place. 

If you find that you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you can get control of this condition, the better. The damage to these nerves may or may not be permanent, so taking the necessary steps to address the symptoms as well as the root cause can help to heal the existing trauma as well as prevent further damage. 

Treatments for peripheral neuropathy can range from exercise to prescription medication, as well as the use of devices like a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit. There is also another commonly recommended treatment that you may not have thought of – massage therapy.  

Massage has been shown time and again to help relieve the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, and there are a few reasons for this.  

#1: Massage helps to loosen the muscles and other soft tissue restrictions that may be putting pressure on those affected nerves.  

#2: Massage releases endorphins, the feel-good hormones which act as a natural pain killer. 

#3: Massage increases superficial blood flow, which may help to counter the poor circulation often causing peripheral neuropathy. This blood flow can also help the damaged nerves to heal as fresh oxygen and nutrients are brought into the area that may have been lacking. 

#4: The direct application of massage at various pressures stimulates the diverse nerves in the area, to promote healing and proper function. 

 Before you jump onto that massage table, there are a few important things to consider. Communication with your massage therapist is crucial. As your therapist, I need to be aware of exactly what symptoms you’re experiencing associated with neuropathy as well as what the underlying cause is, what treatments you’re doing, and the effects of those treatments, all so that I can best formulate a session plan. Then throughout the session, you’ll also need to be sure you’re communicating very clearly on how the pressure feels to you, and any sensations that you feel. Massage therapists tend to go a bit lighter in pressure on areas affected by neuropathy due to the decrease in sensation. Basically, in healthy areas you would feel that the pressure was too much before it got to the point of being capable of causing damage to the tissues. But due to the decreased sensation in neuropathic areas, you won’t be able to give that kind of feedback as accurately, so as your therapist, I have to be much more careful. Speak up throughout if you feel the pressure isn’t right, if you experience an increase or decrease in symptoms, an area is especially numb or a particular movement causes pain. This informs me of what my next steps should be throughout your massage. 

Neuropathy can be uncomfortable, and at times scary, but there are numerous treatment options. It’s important that you keep an open mind and get to know the treatments that are available to you.  

(info courtesy of My Massage World)

In a World Without Bodywork...

It would be full of stress and chaos! Thanks to Associated Bodywork and Massage Professionals (ABMP.com) for this cute video.


And for you, do you really want to feel like a zombie, shuffling through existence? Life has so much more to offer!


Unwind your body tension and stress with a Craniosacral Therapy session, designed to work with your head, neck and spine. This light-touch therapy can do wonders with reducing pain and headaches.


If you are ready to kick your zombie to the curb, schedule a session with me, Kim. I hope to see you soon!

Valentine's Week appointment openings



It's Valentine's Week. Happy Valentine's to you all!


I have a couple of openings in my appointment schedule that I would like to fill. Are you ready to have an AMAZING session that helps you unwind, relax and rid you of your aches and pains? Great! Let's get you scheduled...

Waupaca Office

(located within Hope With Acupuncture, 1336 Michigan Street, Waupaca, WI)

* Tuesday, February 13th: 3pm-4pm only.

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Weyauwega Home Studio

(located at E5828 Hillside Drive, Weyauwega, WI)

* Wednesday, February 14th: 1pm-7pm
* Thursday, February 15th: 8am-10am and 1pm-7pm.
* Friday, February 16th: 8am-4pm.

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Relax, Revive, Renew and Re-charge with a customized session that includes the best of Massage Therapy, Reflexology and more!

To schedule your session at either location, please call/text me (Kim) 920-659-3805. I look forward to helping you relieve your stress and aches & pains this week!

Roll those Feet back to health!

OUCH...MY ACHING FEET!

Health Tip #4: Foot Rolling


Admit it...your feet take a beating each day! Whether it's from the walking, running, stair-climbing, shoes that fit/don't fit, high heels and exercise...we put our feet through their paces! No wonder they get sore, dry and stinky.


Relaxing the muscles and soft tissues in the feet can help relax the rest of your body, too! And you don't need to invest in a lot of equipment.


The very basic of foot rolling you can use a tennis ball or golf ball. Place near your favorite chair and roll while you watch your favorite show. You can also have one next to your bed to roll your feet before you get up or go to bed.

You can even make yourself a "frozen" foot roller by filling an empty 16-24 oz. bottle 1/2 to 3/4 full of water and put into the freezer. Once frozen, pull out and roll as needed. Then return to the freezer.

You can't "over-roll." Give it a try for a week and notice the difference!


But what if you need a bit more?
If you are lucky enough to live near a "Reflexology Walking Path" or even if you have a gravel path, you can give your feet a treatment with a barefoot walk. But go slowly at first, as your feet adjust to the acupressure of each stone into the soft tissues and how the bones in your feet and ankles adjust to help keep your balance.

 The walk a little painful on the joints? You can increase your flexibility with ankle rotations. My college roommate would pick up a dry washcloth with her toes. You could also try picking up marbles and dropping them in a container:

And after all that rolling and exercise, treat your feet to a relaxing footbath filled with warm water and Epsom salts or warm water and Apple Cider Vinegar:

Enjoy your day!


- Kim





Massage Therapist Care

You remember to come in for your sessions. But have you ever wondered if YOUR therapist receives Massage & Bodywork? The good ones do every so often. The great ones receive it regularly.


As we relax and receive, we "feel" how our therapist's hands and pressure work with our bodies. Softening and molding tight tissues, moving fluids, and allowing us to go inward and let go of our stress.


I see several therapists trained in different modalities: Massage Therapy, Thai Massage, Reiki, Healing Touch, Reflexology and Acupuncture, to name a few. I am always learning during my sessions, just how wonderful and diverse the natural health field is. Besides getting awesome sessions, I learn about my therapist and his/her work. This helps when I need to make referrals.


Today I was able to receive an Acupuncture treatment followed by a Massage Therapy session. I'm relaxing now with my heating pad before heading off to bed (after I finish this). After a good night's sleep of eight hours, I will be refreshed and ready to get back to work.


So when you go in for your session, don't be afraid to ask your therapist when was the last time he/she had some sort of bodywork session.


#massagetherapistcare