Why I always say 'Drink Water After Your Massage' - And What It Actually Does.

This hot weather has had me thinking about something I say all the time after treatment: drink water. After a treatment at my Sissinghurst home clinic, I tell my clients all the time to drink water, but it’s not necessarily for the reason you might think. There are a lot of common myths floating around and I try hard to debunk them whenever I can. The one about drinking water is the easiest and my favourite to tackle.

I’ll explain further down what it is and why, but for now let’s look at what drinking water actually does for us.

Water and you - why should you drink water after massage

Your relationship with water is more profound than you might realise. If you think back to your school days in Human Biology, you’ll recall learning that water constitutes 50-70% of your body weight. That’s incredible when you consider just how vital water is to every function within your body.

Take me, for example

On a good day, I weigh 83kg. So between 41-58kg of me is liquid. That's the equivalent of 82 kittens or 14 billion grains of sand! (yes, I googled it!)

"Drink more water" – Said, Everyone, ever

How we process water

We absorb water not only through drinking it but our body is clever enough to extract it from the foods we eat too. So being hydrated doesn't necessarily come from filling a glass with tap water and pouring it down into your stomach.

Even tea and coffee are considered ways to stay hydrated. I hear you, 'but what about the caffeine James? Doesn't it dehydrate you?' In short, the answer is no. Caffeine is more like a very mild diuretic - which will encourage the kidneys to flush sodium and water from the body which would make you think this will dehydrate you but it doesn't.

The right mix of fluids and foods throughout the day helps keep us in good shape.

Now, let's debunk that infamous myth!

Does water flush toxins?

Nope, drinking water doesn't flush toxins, and anyone saying otherwise might need a refresher in human biology.

This myth is still circulating. Just google 'water after massage' and you'll find countless blogs and articles, and links to massage therapist websites. So, I want to be very clear about the role of water in removing toxins from our bodies and that this is a common misconception.

The truth is that our bodies are designed to remove toxins naturally through our liver, kidneys, and other organs. While drinking water can support these functions by keeping our bodies hydrated and aiding in digestion, it does not directly "flush" toxins from our bodies. A massage therapist may try and convince you to...'don't forget to drink water after your deep tissue massage so that you flush all the toxins out that we've moved around with the massage'.

While drinking water is important for our overall health, it is not a magic cure for toxin removal. As a massage therapist, I want to focus on helping my clients understand the real benefits of water and encourage them to stay hydrated for their overall health and well-being.

How much water should I drink?

Good question James! In general, a good way to determine if you're drinking enough water is to check the colour of your urine. If your urine is pale yellow or clear, you're likely drinking enough water. If it's dark yellow or amber, you may need to drink more water. The NHS says we need to drink between 6-8 glasses of 200ml of fluids per day.

Remember, hydration doesn’t just come from water. Foods, teas, and even coffee contribute to your daily intake. The key is to listen to your body and ensure you’re getting enough fluids throughout the day.

Stay hydrated, stay healthy, and keep questioning those common myths. After all, the better we understand our bodies, the better we can care for them.

Final thoughts

So yes, drink water after your massage. Not because it’s a magic detox tool, but because your body works better when it’s hydrated. It supports the work we’ve done in the session, helps you feel better afterwards, and it’s a small but powerful way to look after yourself.

I’ll keep handing you that glass of water after your treatment, and I’ll keep talking about why it matters. Not because I have to, but because I care. Simple as that.

Want to find out more?

If you’ve got questions or you’re ready to book your next massage, get in touch here or book online. I offer massage therapy in Sissinghurst, just outside Cranbrook - deep tissue, fascial release, dry needling, sports massage, and more.

You bring the body. I’ll bring the water.

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