Saunas and massages go hand in hand. These two activities are incredibly relaxing and have loads of health benefits. Typically, a sauna session will be scheduled before a massage. Does this mean saunas aren’t safe after a massage?
It is safe to use a sauna right after a massage. A sauna can help wind down, reduce stress, and even improve cardiovascular health. Consult your doctor beforehand, drink lots of water, and keep your sessions less than 15-20 minutes, especially if you’re following a longer massage.
You’ll receive health benefits regardless of scheduling a sauna before or after a massage. Is one better than the other? Well, the answer may come down to your preferences and circumstances. But there are some things you should keep in mind when scheduling a sauna visit and a massage. Here’s what you need to know.
Can You Go Into a Sauna Right After a Massage?
Yes, you can step into the sauna right after a massage. There’s no right or wrong way to schedule these two activities. Using the sauna after a massage can help you relax and wind down even further.
You may experience stress relief and detoxifying properties when you visit a sauna right after a massage. The decision will come down to your preferences and circumstances.
Benefits Of Using a Sauna After a Massage
Massages and saunas are everyday activities when you visit a spa. Typically, a massage is scheduled after a sauna session. But there are multiple benefits to visiting the sauna right after a massage.
Relax Even Further
Hitting the sauna after a deep tissue massage can help you relax even further. You’ll receive the stress-reducing effects from the sauna combined with the pain relief from the massage.
You’ll have time to sit, wind down, and reflect on your thoughts. The sauna can also help ease any leftover muscle pain or tension from the massage.
Detoxification
One of the primary advantages of saunas and steam rooms is the potential detoxifying benefits. Saunas cause you to sweat, which may help you remove harmful toxins and waste from your system.
You might feel more relaxed, healthy, and clean after a massage followed by a sauna session.
Improved Cardiovascular Health
You can receive benefits to your cardiovascular system whether you visit the sauna before or after a massage. Frequent sauna usage has been linked to a reduction in cardiovascular-related diseases. That means you can use a sauna right after a massage and improve your health all the same.
What Kind of Sauna Should You Pair After a Massage?
There are multiple types of saunas and steam rooms, each with benefits and best-use cases. You can find sauna rooms that use steam to relax the body, mind, and muscles.
Or you can visit an infrared sauna that heats your body from the inside out. You can pair either one after or before a sauna, but infrared might have more advantages.
Infrared saunas use enhanced heaters to warm and relax your body directly. Your body absorbs the infrared heat, causing a relaxing sweat with a load of health benefits. You may experience stress relief, improved circulation, detoxification, anti-aging properties, and loosened muscles.
Should You Use a Sauna Before a Massage
There’s no right or wrong answer. You can use a sauna before or after a massage and still receive high-quality health benefits. However, using a sauna before a massage can help loosen your muscles and prime them for the massage.
Saunas and steam rooms can reduce swelling and alleviate inflammation. They can help make your muscles pliable, soft, and massage ready. You may notice tightness slowly disappearing as you go through your sauna session. This can give your masseuse an easier time dealing with knots and muscle tension.
For those reasons, it may be more beneficial to use a sauna right before a massage. Again, the answer will come down to your circumstances, preferences, and body type.
Conclusion
You’ll feel relaxed whether you decide to visit the sauna before a massage or after. Using a sauna can have a load of health benefits, including stress relief, pain relief, improved circulation, and potential detoxifying properties.
Visiting a sauna right before a massage can help loosen tight muscles and prime them for a massage. However, hopping in the sauna right after a massage can help you relax even further. The choice will come down to your preferences, circumstances, and needs.
Be sure to consult your doctor beforehand, drink plenty of water, and keep your sauna sessions between 15 and 20 minutes. If you experience any adverse side effects like headaches or dizziness, exit the sauna immediately.
