Don’t you want to know how to give a better massage? You’re going to be surprised that it’s not major adjustments that are needed in order to make this happen. Instead, you are going to find out that gentle techniques and short tips are what get you to the point where you’re giving people great massages.
Hydrate yourself after receiving a massage. Your muscles will release a lot of toxins while they are massaged, and you might experience stress if you do not purify your body from these toxins. Drink a lot of water before and after your massage and be very careful about your hydration if you get massages regularly.
Drink a tall glass of water post-massage. When your tissues are stimulated during a massage, toxins are released into your body. The water you consume will help flush those toxins from your body. During the first hour after a massage, you should aim to drink at least two glasses of water. After this, you should aim to drink at least six more glasses in the remaining 23 hours in order to obtain your daily recommendation of a minimum of eight glasses per day.
When massaging, remember to use those thumbs! This area can elicit a great feeling on those you massage. Don’t push too hard, however, because this can make a person feel some discomfort.
Try not to eat immediately before getting a massage. You can easily feel uncomfortable and bloated, which may make lying down in a full body massage hard. Let food fully digest first. This will allow you to feel comfortable in any position you might be asked to assume during the massage.
Ease your aching feet! Your feet are under pressure all day long and are often ignored when it comes to a healing massage. Massage your toes, gently stretching them out until they feel relaxed. Use your thumbs to put pressure on the sole of your foot, slowly moving from the toes to the heel. For feet that are particularly achy you can apply more pressure by kneading the sole with your knuckles. Finally, treat your tired feet with a rich moisturizer.
The speed of your hands is important for the kind of massage you are trying to give. If you are looking for a massage to relax your partner, go for slow strokes. If you are looking to work out tired muscles that have been over exerted, faster strokes work better.
If you will be getting a massage to have some stress relieved, go with an aromatherapy massage. Along with a massage, the therapist will use essential oils on your capillaries in order to relax the body. Most of these oils come from flowers, roots, and herbs and are completely safe.
Pay attention to how your partner responds during a massage. If your partner tenses up, you are probably massaging him or her in a way that is too intense. If your partner seems to feel tickled, you might be going too light with your fingers. Paying attention can help you to find the right balance that will really please your partner.
Increase the benefits of your exercise regimen by massaging your body before and after exercising. Massages before exercising can boost blood flow to muscles. Use your fists to make pummeling motions on your arms and legs. Doing massages after exercising can help speed up muscle recovery and better waste removal. You can do these by rubbing along your muscles using your palms or fists moving towards your heart.
Eat some food about 30 minutes prior to a massage, but don’t eat too much! You don’t want to feel bloated for the experience. You want just enough food that you feel relaxed. If you go in hungry, you’ll be that much more stressed for the entire time period of the massage.
When giving a massage, remember to relax yourself. If you are holding a lot of tension, it will be more difficult to maneuver your hands in a way that provides a great massage. The tension will also show through in your attention to each area of the body and the overall feel of the room.
Consider a hot shower after a massage. A hot shower can further relax your muscles, and it gives you an opportunity to stand still and enjoy all the benefits of the massage. The hot water is also very relaxing, lending to the stress free atmosphere you have probably hoped to create.
Go online for help in selecting a massage therapist. If that doesn’t work, talk to your primary care physician. You can also talk to a nurse or a chiropractor in the area whose work you respect. Professional recommendations are almost as good (if not better) than personal recommendations, particularly if you trust the individual.
You should look at the reviews online for massage therapists. Good therapists, clinics and spas are highly likely to have online reviews. You will better be able to narrow down your choices after reading through other’s experiences.
Set the mood for a nice massage. The hands working on the back are wonderful, but you can go even further and create an environment that is made for relaxation and peace. Put on some soft music and light some candles. This can be a wonderful way to treat the rest of your body to relaxation as well as the parts being massaged.
If you have not gone to have a massage because you believe that it is too expensive, it’s really not. Prices of massages can be quite expensive, but there are many places that give great massages for an affordable price. Schools that have massage therapy programs also often offer deeply discounted massages preformed by the students.
Do you now feel like it’s time to give the person you love the best massage? Take what you’ve learned with you so that you can use it and continue to expand upon your knowledge. You now know how to give a much better massage, so make it happen!
