Are you having troubling pain in your back, or maybe your legs? Have you tried everything short of surgery, but still can’t seem to get rid of the pain? Maybe you need to try getting a massage. In the following article, you’ll find more information about how you can use massages to treat your pain.
One great massage technique that you can do for your partner is called raking. Raking means that you spread your hands out, and using your fingertips, you rake up one side of the back right by the spine while you rake downward on the other side with your other hand.
Avoid eating before getting a massage. It’ll leave you bloated and uncomfortable when lying down. Make sure that any food you have eaten has been digested. This will enable you to lie down comfortably in any position during your session.
Feeling a little blue? Go get a massage! The health benefits of massage are numerous, and studies have shown that one of the benefits of massage is elevated serotonin. Serotonin is a neurochemical that makes us feel happy, yet lack of sleep, hormone fluctuations, gloomy weather and poor diets can lower your body’s natural serotonin stores.
Pregnancy can be especially hard on your body over the course of nine months. Carrying the extra weight from the baby can lead to aches and pains in places that you never knew existed. Treating yourself to full body prenatal massages can be just the thing to get you feeling more like yourself again.
Only disrobe to your comfort level. For many people, undressing for a massage is not a big deal. This is not the case with some and they often find themselves feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious during the massage. This will reduce the effect of the massage. Avoid this by only taking off the clothing you are comfortable with.
The raking method is a popular way to give a back massage. Spread your fingers out wide and use your fingertips to perform a raking motion down the back, from shoulders to hips. You can increase the pressure to the recipient’s liking. This is a simple way to relax your significant other and spend some quality time together.
You should watch your partner when giving a good massage. Carefully observe muscle movements and facial expressions that they make during your massage. It takes some practice, but you can get to a point where you can read their body using your hands. If you feel the body tension increase, your pressure is probably too much.
Asian massages are known to help relax the body. One not-so-common, but very relaxing Asian massage is called the Indonesian-Javanese massage. With this method, the therapist will use both their hands and knuckles to get so deep into the skin. This will help your muscles relax if they were tense.
Hydrate, hydrate. A massage loosens lymph fluid, lactic acid and other toxins from your soft tissues. This is part of what makes your muscles feel so nice afterward. However, if you are dehydrated, there is no way for these toxins to leave your system. This could leave you feeling sore and slightly nauseated after your massage, which defeats the whole effort and wastes money. So, make sure you drink up!
Massage therapy may be for you if you’re always using pain medications. Massage has been shown to benefit achy joints and muscles, as well as assisting you to relax. Check if your insurance covers health related massages.
Following your massage, just rest quietly for a bit. Your body has gone through a lot while being massaged. If you get up too quickly, your body may not respond well. You may feel faint or somewhat sick. Allow yourself to sit up for a few minutes and then stand.
Try using your own visualization while getting a massage. Close your eyes and picture yourself in a favorite spot, surrounded by people you love. Take in all you love about the setting and transfer that to the feeling in your body. This can enhance your massage experience and help you to feel well rested.
If you are unsure of which massage therapist to see in your area, ask your family members and coworkers. Referrals are crucial. While they don’t ensure that you will get a great therapist, they do increase your odds tremendously. After you get a few names, do your own research to see which person you think best fits your needs.
A proper environment is essential to a successful therapeutic back massage at home. The ideal location is in a quiet, warm and relaxed environment. If you’re not doing the massage in an area like that, the person you’re massaging may not be able to relax or reap all of the benefits of a therapeutic massage.
Drink plenty of water before and after your massage. Drinking before your massage session ensures that your muscles are well-hydrated and supple, making the massage more effective. Water after your massage will flush out the toxins that were released and can even help prevent soreness by hastening muscle recovery time.
Breathing is one of the most important aspects of receiving a massage. Try to breathe as normally as possible, even if you feel sensations that you have never felt in your life. Your body will eventually adjust to the massage, as your breathing pattern should remain the same throughout the entire process.
Breathing techniques are very important when getting a massage. Concentrate on breathing deep through the nasal passages and into the abdomen. As you breath in and breath out, count the seconds. This can get you into a relaxing zone.
When you begin a massage, always warm the lotion or oil with your hands prior to applying. Gently spread the oil or lotion over the skin and let it set for a minute or two before beginning the massage. Make sure that you use enough so that once the massage starts, you are not having to reapply constantly.
As you can see from this article, massage can be a viable solution for treating pain. Many people will attest to the benefits of a good massage, so why not get the benefits for yourself? Remember what you’ve read in the article and try a massage for yourself. You’ll be surprised at the results.
