Hydration, without the hype.
Normal hydration supports everyday body and kidney function. Fluid needs vary with activity, climate, health and other circumstances; more is not always better.
Follow any fluid limit prescribed by your healthcare team. There is no established extra-water requirement after massage or TENS, and neither is a reason to claim that electricity “flushes toxins” or stimulates the kidneys.
National Kidney Foundation: hydration and the kidneys. This source explains general hydration, not a special post-treatment protocol.
Warm baths & Epsom salts.
A comfortably warm bath may feel soothing. Keep the water warm rather than hot, get in and out carefully, and stop if you feel lightheaded or overheated.
Epsom salts are optional. Good evidence has not established an added benefit for muscle recovery or soreness beyond bathing itself. Follow the product label, avoid irritated or broken skin, and never swallow bath salts. Ask your clinician first if pregnancy or a medical condition affects your tolerance of heat.
Hospital for Special Surgery: what the evidence says about Epsom baths.
Eucalyptus, if you enjoy the scent.
Think of eucalyptus as an optional fragrance, not a treatment for soreness. Skip it if you have asthma, fragrance sensitivity, or any coughing or irritation.
Never swallow eucalyptus oil or put undiluted oil on your skin. Do not add pure oil directly to bathwater. Use only products intended for their stated purpose, follow the label, and keep oils away from children and pets. Avoid eucalyptus oil during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Poison Control: eucalyptus oil safety.
Magnesium: food first.
Magnesium supports normal muscle and nerve function. Foods such as beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and leafy greens are useful sources; that does not mean a supplement will ease ordinary soreness.
If you are considering a supplement, ask a clinician or pharmacist whether you need it and what is appropriate. This is especially important with kidney problems or medicines. Supplements can cause diarrhea and interact with some medicines.
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: magnesium.
Glutamine: limited evidence.
Your body makes glutamine, and protein-containing foods provide it too. Research offers little support for glutamine supplements to improve exercise performance; studies of recovery have found no effect or only a small benefit.
It is not a routine between-session recommendation, and no supplement dose is suggested here. Talk with your clinician before using it, especially if you have a medical condition or take medicines.
NIH Office of Dietary Supplements: glutamine and exercise.
Percussion tools: keep it light.
Massage guns may offer short-term flexibility changes, but recovery evidence remains limited. A 2026 review found no clear benefit for soreness relief or maximum-strength recovery. A device does not replace assessment of persistent pain.
Evidence: 2023 systematic review of massage guns · 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of post-exercise recovery.
If a clinician says it is appropriate, follow the device instructions, begin on a light setting and do not add pressure. Avoid the neck, head, spine, groin, bony areas, bruises and injured skin. Stop for pain, tingling or numbness.
Ask for guidance first with a recent injury, pregnancy, blood-thinning medicines or reduced sensation.
University of Utah Health: massage gun precautions.
TENS: temporary pain relief.
TENS uses a small electrical current and may help with some pain, but it does not work for everyone. Relief is not proof of tissue healing. Ask a healthcare professional about unexplained pain before trying it.
Do not use TENS with a pacemaker or epilepsy. During pregnancy, use it only if your doctor or midwife advises it. Avoid the neck, head, broken or numb skin. Do not place pads on the chest and back at the same time or use a pad arrangement that sends current across the chest. Do not use it in water, during sleep or while driving.
Use only the manufacturer’s instructions and clinician-approved pad placement. This is general TENS information, not instructions for a BEAM treatment.
NHS: TENS uses and safety.
