How can a massage therapist tell you're dehydrated?

Author: Prof. Wilford Barton DVM  |  Last update: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

The classic test to see if you drink enough water is made on the skin, but your massage therapist can also learn if you're dehydrated by the trigger points in your upper back, which become tender in the lack of the recommended amount of eight glasses of water per day.

Can a massage therapist tell if you are 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 are red flags in massage therapy?

  • 1. Excessive Pain: While some discomfort can be normal, especially in deep tissue massages, excessive pain is a red flag.
  • 2. Bruising: Minor bruising can occur, but significant or frequent bruising indicates that the therapist is using too much pressure or improper techniques.
  • 3. Nerve Pain:

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.

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.

A nutritionist reveals a simple way to tell if you're hydrated

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.

Why am I so thirsty after a massage?

However, it is generally recommended to drink at least 8 cups (64 ounces) of water per day to maintain proper hydration. After a massage, you may be more thirsty than usual due to the increased circulation and lymphatic flow that occurs during the massage.

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.

Why should you drink water first thing in the morning?

Your metabolism can increase by up to 25% when you drink water on an empty stomach. A faster metabolism will make your entire body feel better and more energetic. Increased energy. Besides the energetic boost from your increased metabolism, drinking water on an empty stomach also increases your red blood cell count.

How do you describe a bad massage?

Experiencing sharp pain or excessive discomfort during or after the session is a clear indication that the massage wasn't beneficial. While some discomfort can be normal, especially with deep tissue massage, it should never cross the line into sharp pain.

How do you know if a massage place is shady?

Here are some of the signs of human trafficking in massage parlors:
  1. Any sexual or erotic services are provided, or they advertise on illicit websites.
  2. The providers are wearing very little clothing.
  3. They refuse to service females.
  4. You have to buzz in to get into the business.

What are yellow flags in massage?

Yellow Flags: The Psychological Side of Pain

They don't point to a serious physical problem but indicate that psychological and social factors might be making pain worse or prolonging recovery. Basically, they highlight the risk of someone developing chronic pain or disability.

How do you prove 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.

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)

Can a massage therapist tell if you have inflammation?

Inflammation typically causes changes in tissue texture, such as increased warmth, swelling, and tenderness. While these changes may be subtle, an experienced RMT may be able to pick up on them during a session. In addition to assessing tissue texture, a RMT may also notice other signs of inflammation during a session.

What happens if you don't stay hydrated after a massage?

Dehydration can lead to mood swings, irritability, and difficulty concentrating – all of which can detract from the positive effects of your massage session. By staying properly hydrated, you can enhance the overall relaxation and stress-relief benefits of your treatment.

How often should you get massages?

1. What are the general massage frequency guidelines? It is generally recommended to get a massage once a month to maintain the benefits of relaxation and stress relief. However, some individuals may benefit from more frequent sessions, especially if they have specific health concerns or physical discomfort.

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.

Why masseuse burp when massaging?

It's possible that a masseuse burps because he or she receives the effect of the massage itself. “I mean, masseuses use their energy when applying pressures. So maybe, since they're using their own hands, and the therapy oils, there's a stimulation on their palms.

Why do I go to the bathroom so much after a massage?

Massage relaxes the tension, releasing the circulatory pathways and allowing nitrogenous metabolic waste to dump into the system. Drinking provides your kidneys with the water they need to effectively eliminate the newly liberated waste. So, once again, it comes back to pee.

What should you not do during a massage?

Avoid talking too much.

Talking during a massage is not conducive to staying relaxed. You should let go mentally and emotionally and allow your body to relax. Conversations block the healthy benefits of a massage.

Can a massage therapist tell if you're dehydrated?

Dehydration will also be evident as the trigger points in your upper back may demonstrate soreness if enough glasses of water haven't been consumed. Injuries will also be evident, as therapists can feel heat and inflammation, and even dehydrated muscles in more serious cases.

Why do I feel weird after a massage?

It helps to destress and relax you; this in turn may make you feel tired. This is your time to recover your mind and body and it is your body's time to rebalance itself and retune. Sometimes, if you have been experiencing lots of stress, you may feel emotional or teary after the massage.

What are the metabolic wastes after massage?

By releasing a variety of toxins — from metabolic wastes like lactic acid and urea to stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline — massage provides a plethora of health benefits that extend well beyond simple relaxation.

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