Sauna Before Or After Massage: What's The Right Way?

There'd hardly be a person who doesn't like the calm and soothing effects of a sauna. 

On the contrary, more people queue up for sauna bathing at gyms, spas, and wellness retreats as the word about sauna benefits continues to spread. 

In fact, as sauna baths become the order of the day among people with an active lifestyle, there's a whole new range of experimentation that saunas are going through. And among these experiments is the idea of complementing a sauna with a massage. 

However, the question as to whether you should sauna before or after massage is something that tricks a lot of sauna bathers. 

Not to mention, some bathers are still skeptical if the idea of having a massage and sauna alongside is a good one. 
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So read on as we've dwelled upon every aspect of a sauna and massage combo. 
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Can you go for massage and sauna therapy on the same day?
Now, before we get into whether you should sauna bath before or after massage therapy, let's try and look at a larger question. 

Some online forums and commentaries may suggest you against going for a sauna and massage on the same day. For instance, I came across discussions where people claimed a sauna before massage makes the latter less effective. Their rationale: since both sauna and massage therapies carry similar health and wellness benefits, one of the sessions might not be as effective. 

But that's not actually true. Meaning you can go for a massage and sauna on the same day. 

You see, while massage and sauna are both known to be relaxing and therapeutic, their effects on your body are slightly different. And when done alongside, it can enhance your overall experience. 

For instance, massage therapy can help you de-stress and unwind by relaxing your muscles and helping reduce stress hormones. A sauna, at the same time, will not only complement these massage benefits but also bring its own unique advantages such as detoxification, a fillip to heart health, and more. 

So scheduling a sauna and massage therapy on the same day isn't a waste of bucks. Rather, you can make the most out of your sauna and massage sessions by doing so.

​​Bonus: you can also have a massage and sauna togethe

Did you know that you candouble the relaxation and other benefits by getting a massage while in the sauna? 
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As modern as it might sound, a sauna and massage combination is quite ancient and traces its origin to the birth of saunas in Finland. And apart from being a time-saving solution, it also accentuates the benefits. 

For instance, this combination is particularly recommended to athletes and fitness freaks. That's because the combo is quite effective at healing sore muscles and joints, among others. 

Interesting, isn't it? 

Should you go to the sauna before or after massage?

Coming back to the million-dollar question of sauna before massage or after, there isn't a definitive answer. And that's exactly why many wellness experts argue that this is, at best, left for people themselves to decide. 
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Nevertheless, we questioned some of the most seasoned massage therapists about what should go first between a sauna and a massage. And they were all unanimous in their verdict that one should take a sauna bath before a massage. 

The reason: a sauna session will make the muscle tissues soft, which in turn, will enable a deep massage. Also, sauna bathing will alleviate pain in tense areas of the body, making massage way more relaxing. 
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Let's see how this plays out at different saunas: 

​Should you use an infrared sauna before or after massage?

When it comes to infrared saunas, the same rationale plays out. Meaning you should have a sauna session beforehand, as it will warm and ease your muscles, making massage more effective. 

An infrared sauna, in particular, is known for healing joints and muscle pains instantly. In fact, this is one of the reasons why infrared saunas are so popular among athletes, gym goers, yoga enthusiasts, the elderly, etc. 

So, if you're among this group, you should definitely have an infrared sauna session before a massage. After all, early relief from pain will ensure that the massage therapist can apply different massage techniques for maximum relaxation without discomforting you. 
Note: You shouldn't stay in an infrared sauna for more than 15-20 minutes, as it can dehydrate you quite easily. 

Also, you should give your body some time (30-60 minutes at least) between an infrared sauna session and massage therapy. You can use this time to shower in order to get cleaned and cool yourself down before massage. 
How should you use traditional/dry saunas along with massage?

Just like an infrared sauna, we suggest you go for a traditional sauna bath before your massage appointment. 

You see, a traditional or dry sauna is known for its own unique benefits. And that spans a long list, including better skin health, natural healing, relief from asthmatic symptoms, etc., to name a few. 

So by having a sauna session before massage, you can ease your body and mind beforehand, making your massage session much more soothing and enjoyable. 

Bonus: When booking a dry sauna session, make sure you enquire about the heating method and go for a sauna heater with top-notch sauna rocks. That's because by pouring water over these rocks, you can boost relaxation and healing, taking your sauna experience to a whole new level. 

Should you sauna before or after a massage when using steam saunas?

Although steam saunas provide you with heat therapy benefits similar to traditional saunas, they also have some unique elements to offer. 

For instance, studies have found that.

steam sauna sessions are very effective at stress relief. And they do so by helping release endorphins or feel-good hormones while also reducing cortisol levels. 

Not to mention steam room sessions are also known to offer glowing skin, improved respiration, better circulation, etc. 

So, it's better to have a steam sauna before going for a massage as it will not only relax you but also make you breathe better. And both these benefits will only enhance your massage experience. 

Moreover, you can also have a second steam shower session after a massage to maximize your therapy since steam rooms don't pose the dangers of dehydration.

Pro tips for an optimum sauna session before a massage:

1. Hydrate yourself: Saunas can cause dehydration very easily if you're not well hydrated. And the resulting woes are sure to ruin both the sauna experience as well as the upcoming massage. So, we suggest you drink plenty of water before entering the sauna. 
2. Shower after the sauna: By sweating profusely in the sauna room, you're releasing toxins and dirt, which tends to stay on the skin if you don't shower. Moreover, you don't want to go for a massage all smelly and sweaty. 
3. Keep your devices outside: You want to enjoy the tranquility of the sauna just like you'll during the upcoming massage session. And to that end, it's best that you leave your phones or smart devices outside and experience the bliss of the sauna.  ​

Looking for more sauna tips? 
You can go through our blog on sauna etiquette rules.

Pro tips for an optimum massage after sauna:

1. Wear what makes you comfortable: Unlike saunas, there are no restrictions in a massage room as to what you can wear. Meaning you can wear anything that you're comfortable with. However, you should leave your skin visible so that the therapist can apply oils and lotions. 
2. You can ask for the right pressure: Massage therapists start by applying light pressure and ideally maintain a standard pressure. Nevertheless, it's okay to ask them to increase or decrease the pressure. After all, it's about your comfort and relaxation. 
3. Don't move your body during massage: Constantly moving your body during the massage will mean that the therapist can't apply their best techniques while also irritating them. And that'd mean you can't have the maximum benefits of massage therapy. 
4. Keep your devices away: Checking your phone or watch for time or replying to texts showcases the worst of massage etiquette. Also, you miss out on relaxation and therapy. So it's best to keep the devices away. 
5. Tip the therapist for good service: While it isn't mandatory to tip the therapist, it's considered spa etiquette to tip an average 20 percent if you had an enjoyable therapy. 

Want to learn more about massage room etiquette? 

​You can go through Martha Stewart's massage etiquette tips for a comfortable and relaxing experience.
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Conclusion
As you can see, it's a good idea to have a sauna bath before going in for a massage since by doing so, you can have maximum benefits of both. 

But that said, there isn't a fixed rule of thumb. Meaning you can always have a sauna and massage combo the way you like. 

Looking to build a sauna room on your property and enjoy the goodness of heat therapy on demand? 

You can reach out to us. 

We've got the most extensive sauna and steam room solutions from the likes of Steamist, Amerec, and Mr. Steam, along with a seasoned installation team. Meaning we've got you covered for all thighs sauna and steam bathing.  



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