Answer: As much as you feel you need to quench your thirst. It's that simple.

There really is no specific amount of water that applies to every single person every single time they receive a massage. We MT's have often claimed that "Massage releases toxins from your muscles and drinking water helps to flush these toxins out". I have said things like this in the past as well. Like the majority of other Massage Therapists out there, it was something I was taught in school, just as it was taught to my teachers by theirs! But times are changing the world of Massage Therapy -for the better- and research is now showing us that this old claim really doesn't hold much weight.

So, do you need to drink water after a massage or not?

Although there hasn't been any valid research to date that has supported the claim that drinking water after a massage will flush out "toxins" I can tell you this, most of my clients report that they feel better if they hydrate themselves after treatments. Many of the people I see in my treatment room would benefit from drinking more water and less caffeine and sugar.  So, if after your treatment you feel thirsty, by all means yes, please drink as much water as it takes to satisfy your thirst, but don't stress about drinking more than you feel you need.