Understanding the Recommendations for Homecare Advice - Coursework Example

Running Head: Recommendations for Home Care Advice Recommendations for Home Care Advise [Institute’s Introduction: Massage treatment is often opted by individuals seeking relaxation and stress reduction. Experts have indicated that there are certain specific massage treatments that relieve pain in certain body parts. Many research findings have reported that irrespective of the fact regarding relaxation, people at large believe that massage treatments definitely reduce levels of stress in the body (Labrique, pp. 254-257, 2010). Home care advice as the title suggests, refers to recommendations that are to be followed at home after a massage treatment, and additionally, the paper will included analysis of such recommendations and understanding regarding their effectiveness. 1.1 Bodily Changes that accompany Massage Before indulging into the details of homecare advice after a massage treatment, it will be helpful to know a bit about how massage works and what exactly does it do to the body. Massage is defined as a hands-on treatment, involving the manipulation of body’s muscles and soft tissues in order to improve health and well being (Medical Centre of Maryland, 2009). All types of massages, especially the deep tissue massage helps in releasing toxins from the body internally. A massage therapist manipulates the muscles in such a way that any toxin accumulations including lactic acid, which may lead to joints pain is released internally from the body (Alternative Medicine, 2010). In this regard, massage plays a vital role in healing damaged muscles and tissues of the body. In other words, experts have indicated that the healing process speeds up after a massage, which highlights its effectiveness (Alternative Medicine, 2010). 1.2 Benefits of Massage Treatment Research has revealed the effectiveness of massage in treating many conditions; especially pain related ones and in alleviating general body stress. Massage therapy is known to reduce anxiety and increase one’s level of mental alertness (Field et al., pp. 197-205, 1996). In addition, other studies have indicated effectiveness of massage treatment in relieving cancer pain (Applied Nursing Research, 1990) and having beneficial effects on the health of pregnant women as well as massage helps women in having a healthy delivery according to scientific results (Martin, et.al; pp. 20-25, 1994). 1.3 Side effects of a Massage Massage therapy though meant for relaxation, is nevertheless an extensive treatment that involves unusual movement in muscles and tissues of the body. Such a treatment can alter some hormonal levels of the body and can also lead to release of certain toxins in the body; therefore, the treatment has certain temporary side effects as well that need critical analysis. Common reactions that may occur immediately after a massage include aching in the muscles, feeling of tiredness, and heightened emotional state (Annabel, 2010). Other reactions that are less common but can occur after a massage include nausea, headache and dizziness, irritation on skin, altered sleep patterns, increased bowel movements, and general irritability. However, these symptoms usually die down within 24 hours of the treatment (Annabel, 2010). 2. Recommendations for Home Care: Following are few recommendations for at home care after a massage: 2.1 Balanced Nutrition Homecare advice after a full body massage must consist of nutritional guidance to ensure retention of relaxing effects of the massage for a prolonged period. It is strongly recommended to eat light meals after a massage especially on the following day. In specific, a light diet maximizes the benefits of a massage. A heavy meal after a massage would lead the body to divert all the energy sources in digestion of the food instead of consuming it in the body (Natural Contemporary Therapies, 2010). According to Braun & Simonson (2005, pp. 20-23), vitamin C plays an important role in the repair of soft body tissues, therefore, it is a recommendation to take a diet rich in vitamin C after a full body massage to compensate the wear and tear of tissues caused during massage treatment. In addition, nerve cells are constituted of sodium and potassium ions, and thus, electrolytes also must be present in the balanced diet to be taken after a massage to ensure proper functioning of the nerve cells and to restore body’s electrolyte balance in this regard (Braun & Simonson, pp. 26-28, 2005). Calcium and magnesium are two salts that help in proper muscle contraction. The body muscles loosen up after a massage and these two elements must be included in diet to enhance regaining the normal level of muscle contraction (Braun & Simonson, pp. 39-44, 2005). According to Davis and colleagues (2008, pp. 10-12), balanced diet is another way to reduce stress. It not only helps in maintaining homeostasis of the body but also places a person in a better position to cope with daily life stress (Davis, et.al; pp. 1-19, 2008). Since the aim of a massage is to relax the body, taking a balanced diet regularly can be of help in prolonging the positive effects of a full body massage. 2.2 Optimum Exercise It is advisable to take long rest after a massage. The reason is that when a person is resting, all the energy of the body is devoted to regeneration and body restoration process that is much needed after a massage. Rest after a massage not only prolongs the effects of a massage but also rejuvenates the body and mind (Braun & Simonson, pp. 18-23, 2005). Light exercise; however, ensures blood circulation and helps in optimum growth and nourishment of the body. Light exercises like walking tend to relax the body and help in improving general mood of the person (Kelly, et.al., pp. 623-625, 1992). After massage, extensive exercise is not recommended to save one’s energy solely for the healing and internal cleansing of the body (Annabel, 2010). It is therefore recommended to adhere to light exercises after a massage. These tend to enhance blood circulation and ensure the supply of all the beneficial nutrients taken in diet to different cells and muscles of the body (Braun & Simonson, pp. 20-25, 2005). Static stretches are helpful in restoring the motion of joints and muscles after a massage as well (Robertson, 2010). 2.3 Fluid Intake It is advisable to drink plenty of water after a massage therapy; since it helps the body get rid of the toxins released internally in the body during the massage (Annabel, 2010). As per the Institute of Medicines Food and Nutrition Board (2004); cited in Collins (2007), the prescribed optimum amount of water intake is 2.7 liters (8 glasses) for women and 3.7 Liters (12 glasses) for men. This level of water intake is ideal especially after a massage since it will help in maximizing the benefits of massage. The amount of water mentioned above must consist of plain drinking water only, intake of coffee, tea or alcohol is not included in this. According to Robertson (2010), the intake of plenty of water after a full body massage has two main functions. Firstly, it contributes to a healthy blood circulation, which ensures the supply of essential materials to all the tissues and muscles of the body; and secondly, it assists kidneys in flushing out the toxins from the body produced because of the massage (Robertson, 2010). Massage therapists usually advise to avoid intake of alcohol and caffeine for at least two days after undergoing massage (Annabel, 2010). The reason is that alcohol and caffeine tend to produce toxic substances in the body. Under normal circumstances, flushing out of such substances occurs due to body’s regular excretion mechanisms, but after a massage, the toxin level is already high in the body and excreting so many extra toxins could pose a problem (Annabel, 2010). In this regard, a balanced diet and optimum intake of water help maintain the homeostasis of the body. Homeostasis occurs when there is balanced amount of salts, water and nutrients in the body, which can help in keeping the inner environment constant. 2.4 Monitoring BMI after a Massage (Safe Approaches to Weight Control) After a massage, it is highly recommended to manage one’s weight via safe weight gain or weight reduction methods. According to NIH (2007), BMI or Body Mass Index is a way to calculate one’s body weight and height ratio to give an estimate of body fat. It is basically a height weight ratio calculated to determine whether or not one enjoys a normal weight. As per NIH standards, a BMI below 18.5 is underweight, between 19 and 25 is normal and higher than 25 indicates being overweight. However, BMI is just an ‘objective evaluation of the body mass ratio and does not distinguish between fats and muscles’ (NIH, 2007). Following are some recommendations of safe ways to reduce or gain (manage) one’s weight: Avoid crash dieting or crash eating in case of desired weight gain. Such programs cause nutritional imbalance in the body which hinders restoration after a massage (Braun and Simonson, pp. 20-22, 2005). Exercise must be light in the beginning. Starting extensive exercise without toning the not used to exercise body first can cause tissue damage and stress instead of relaxation. Since the tissues already undergo a lot of wear and tear in a massage, therefore, such exercises must be avoided that may cause tissue damage (Robertson, 2010). Treatments like yoga and massage are helpful in weight management. Dieting chart must be well chalked out so as not to disturb the homeostasis of the body and ensure enough hydration to maintain fluid balance in body. Homeostasis of the body is disturbed after a massage and it must be restored as soon as possible (Alternative Medicine, 2010). Unhealthy fats and sugars must be removed from the diet and calorie count can be kept throughout the day to monitor one’s performance while on diet. These tend to alter the electrolyte level in the body, therefore, should be avoided (Braun & Simonson, pp. 25-28, 2005). Consuming two to three cups of herbal tea can be helpful in weight reduction while enhancing the fluid intake at the same time. Herbal tea is known to assist in toxin reduction and toxin reduction is needed after a full body massage (Braun & Simonson, pp. 19-21, 2005). Avoiding alcohol and smoking; and developing a time-based routine of having small meals, scattered along the day can also help controlling weight in a healthy manner. Ready to eat food is often imbalanced in salt and sugar levels, not to mention the disproportionate amount of nutrients it contains (Holcombe, 2007). It is very harmful especially after a full body massage since it undoes the positive effects of a massage and also tend to disturb the body’s electrolyte balance (Braun & Simonson, pp. 11-14, 2005). 2.5 Other Recommendations In addition to these general home care recommendations after a massage, there are some massage specific recommendations as well. These include: avoiding exposure to sun after a photo therapeutic massage since it interferes with the positive effects of it (Medical Centre of Maryland, 2009) and delaying a soap bath after an aroma therapeutic massage to allow time for the aromatic oils to penetrate fully into the body (Annabel, 2010). Robertson (2010) recommends a bath with magnesium salts which are helpful in restoring the electrolyte level in the body (Braun and Simonson, 2005). 3. Conclusion In light of above discussion and recommendations, it can be concluded that a full body massage is very beneficial for the general health of a person but some after care home advise must strictly be followed in order to optimize the beneficial effects of a massage. These after care advises include intake of plenty of water to help get rid of the toxins released in the body due to massage (almost 3 Litres per day), avoiding alcohol and caffeine, eating a light, balanced diet and adopting safe ways of weight management. References Alternative medicine. 2010. Deep tissue massages benefits. Retrieved on December 23, 2010: http://alternative-medicine.beautyhill.com/deep-tissue-massage-benefits.html Annabel, S. 2010. “Massage aftercare advice.” Tranquility at home. Retrieved on December 23, 2010: www.tranquillityathome.com/Massage-after-care-advice.html Applied Nursing Research center. 1990. Journal of Applied Nursing. Volume 3, Issue 4, pp. 140-5. Braun, M.B, & Simonson, S. 2005. Introduction to massage therapy. New York: Lippincott Williams. Collins, A. 2007. Guide to water intake. Retrieved on December 23, 2010: www.annecollins.com/water-needs.htm Davis, M., Eshelmen, E. R. & Kay, M. M. 2008. The relaxation and Stress reduction workbook. New York: New Harbinger. Field, T., lronson, G., Scafjdi, F., et al. 1996. “Massage therapy reduces anxiety and enhances EEG pattern of alertness and math computations.” Neuroscience. Volume 86, Issue 3, pp. 197-205. Goldstien, M. C. 2002. Controversies in food and nutrition. WestPort, CT: Greenwood Press. Holcombe, G. 2007. How to feed your whole family a healthy balanced diet. Wiltshire: Spring hill. Kelly, I.W., Blomme, G. C. & Saklofske, D. H. 1992. “The effects of exercise and relaxation on energetic and tense arousal.” Personality and Individual Differences. Volume 13, Issue 5, pp. 623-625. Labrique, C; Keister, K. J. & Russe, A. C. 2010. “Massage Therapy for Stress Management: Implications for Nursing Practice.” Orthopaedic Nursing. Volume 29, Issue 4, pp. 254-257. Martin, et al., 1994. “Massage and Pregnancy.” Birth. Volume 21, Issue 1, pp. 20-25. Medical Centre of Maryland. 2009. Massage. Retrieved on December 25, 2010: www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/massage-000354.htm Natural Contemporary Therapies. 2010. Fields of Health. Retrieved on December 26, 2010: www.fieldsofhealth.co.uk/swedish.htm NHS. 2007. “Balanced diet cuts heart’s risk.” NHS Choices. Retrieved on December 23, 2010: www.nhs.uk/news/2010/09September/Pages/dash-diet-reduce-heart-attack-risk.aspx Roberstson, K. L. 2010. After your massage. Retrieved on December 25, 2010: http://ezinearticles.com/?After-Your-Massage-Treatment&id=5099230 Read More