Can a massage therapist tell if you are dehydrated?

Author: Prof. Eladio Turner DVM  |  Last update: Friday, June 6, 2025

Your massage therapist will be able to easily tell if you haven't been drinking enough water, since trigger points throughout the body - especially the upper back - will be exceptionally tender.

Can massage therapists tell if you're dehydrated?

Yes, we can tell. There are multiple ways that allow us to assess the muscle tissue and skin to see if you're hydrated enough. Recovery from massage also requires a little extra water, so your therapist is likely just expressing concern for your water intake so you can recover properly.

What can massage therapists tell about your body?

A therapist can tell whether you stretch or exercise and what type of activities you participate in based on the length of your muscles or tensions you may have in certain areas. Whether you drink enough water. Dry skin and underlying tissue are indicators of lack of hydration.

How do you physically tell if you are dehydrated?

Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include:
  • feeling thirsty.
  • dark yellow, strong-smelling pee.
  • peeing less often than usual.
  • feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
  • feeling tired.
  • a dry mouth, lips and tongue.
  • sunken eyes.

What happens if you don't drink water after a deep tissue massage?

If you don't drink water after a massage, your body may struggle to flush out the toxins and metabolic waste released from the muscles. This can lead to headaches, fatigue, and muscle soreness. Hydration is key to optimizing the benefits of a massage and preventing post-massage discomfort.

Why Most Massage Therapists Fail (Don't Watch If You Are Easily Offended)

Why can't you shower after a massage?

The temperature of the water can cause your muscles to tense up, which can negate the benefits of massage therapy. The heat can also increase the risk of dehydration. Inflammation may also occur if you are already feeling sore after the massage. Wait at least 1-2 hours before showering or taking a bath.

How many cups of water should you drink after a massage?

It is highly recommended to drink around 500ml water immediately after a massage appointment to prevent dehydration. Massage can naturally cause dehydration, therefore it is essential to drink more water than usual to offset this. The NHS recommends 6-8 glasses of water per day as standard.

What is the fastest way to check for dehydration?

You can quickly check for dehydration at home. Pinch the skin over the back of the hand, on the abdomen, or over the front of the chest under the collarbone. This will show skin turgor. Mild dehydration will cause the skin to be slightly slow in its return to normal.

What can be mistaken for dehydration?

Other conditions with similar symptoms of dehydration include:
  • Anemia, which can cause weakness, dizziness and confusion.
  • Heat stroke, which can cause headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, racing heart and elevated body temperature (more than 104 degrees F).

What drink will hydrate you the fastest?

The researchers found that while water — both still and sparkling — does a pretty good job of quickly hydrating the body, beverages with a little bit of sugar, fat or protein do an even better job of keeping us hydrated for longer.

Can massage therapists feel inflammation?

Massage therapist can feel heat and inflammation in an acute injury. Chronic injuries show in the form of dehydrated muscles that feel tight.

What is the most pleasurable type of massage?

The Most Relaxing Types of Massages
  • Swedish Massage. The most common type of massage therapy, Swedish massage will help to relax you with a combination of specific movements including: ...
  • Hot Stone Massage. Another very relaxing type of massage is the hot stone massage. ...
  • Chair Massage. ...
  • Aromatherapy Massage.

Can a massage therapist read your energy?

It sounds perhaps ridiculous to those who don't understand the full depth of massage therapy but the skin to skin touch contains energy and it is very possible for a massage therapist to pick up bad or negative energy from a client.

What are red flags in massage therapy?

One of the first red flags in a massage session is a lack of communication. If the therapist doesn't take the time to ask about your pain points or preferences before starting, that's a sign of trouble.

What are the red flags for clinical dehydration?

severe dehydration. clinical signs of electrolyte disturbances eg hypertonia, hyperreflexia, convulsions, jittery movements, altered conscious state, irregular heart rate, doughy skin turgor (sign of hypernatremia)

Should you hydrate before a massage?

Drinking water before a massage is recommended because a hydrated, soft muscle is easier to manipulate then a dehydrated, rigid one. Picture one of your muscles as a sponge. A dried up sponge is hard and rigid but once it's submerged in water, it becomes supple.

What are 2 warning signs of dehydration?

Symptoms of dehydration

feeling thirsty. having dark yellow, strong-smelling pee (urine) peeing less often than usual (less than 3 or 4 times a day) feeling dizzy or lightheaded.

What is the fastest way to fix dehydration?

The fastest way to cure dehydration is to drink fluids, particularly those that contain electrolytes, such as sports drinks or oral rehydration solutions. People unable to drink properly due to medical conditions may require IV hydration for faster results.

What part of your body hurts when you are dehydrated?

When we don't get enough water, toxins can build up in our bodies and cause inflammation which leads to pain and maybe some swelling. Dehydration can also lead to a lack of lubrication of our joints which leads to achy, painful joints.

How to check dehydration by tongue?

Tongue Dehydration Signs & Symptoms:

Sticky or tacky feeling in the mouth. Dry or rough tongue. Bad breath. Difficulty swallowing and speaking.

Can you be dehydrated even if you drink a lot of water?

We all need to drink water — typically, more than we realize. But what if you drink loads of water every day but are still feeling thirsty and dehydrated? It can be a sign that something else is going on. Factors like your medication, how much you sweat and if you're sick can affect your levels of hydration.

What test confirms dehydration?

Blood samples may be used to check for a number of factors, such as the levels of your electrolytes — especially sodium and potassium — and how well your kidneys are working. Urinalysis. Tests done on your urine can help show whether you're dehydrated and to what degree.

How can a massage therapist tell you're dehydrated?

If you don't drink the recommended eight glasses of water per day- it's pretty easy for us to tell. Dehydrated bodies have dry, flaky skin that 'drinks' our massage oil like the thirsty little raisins that they are. Parched bodies also have tender trigger points, especially in the upper back area.

Is it better to drink hot or cold water after a massage?

It is better to use cold water for pain relief. Moreover, it is ideal to use warm water when taking a shower. This can help to relax your body.

What is the best drink after a massage?

Drinking water improves the body's ability to deal with fatigue and pain in general. Along with hydrating, take a day to rest after a massage, and try to avoid intense exercise to give your muscles a chance to catch their breath.

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