Massage is truly one of life’s great joys. Those who give or receive them need to become more knowledgeable on proper massage techniques and where to get proper massages. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of massage.
A popular back massage you can try out on someone is called a “Raking Massage”. With this technique, you spread your fingers apart and use your tips to give the massage. Begin in the shoulder area and work your way down the back using a raking motion. Then, you move your fingers down the spine without actually touching it. Move one hand down as the other hand moves up.
Put your thinking on hold. One of the most difficult, yet essential elements of getting the most out of a massage is relaxing your mental state. Try to start doing some deep breathing while the therapist is setting up. Imagine that, with every inhale, you gather all the nagging and stressful thoughts in your head. On the exhale, envision blowing all of these thoughts out into space, gone forever. Keep repeating until you feel yourself relaxing.
Consider massaging your body prior to exercising and immediately afterwards too. Massaging prior to working out helps raise blood flow into all of your muscles. And after a workout, a quick massage helps your muscles recover a lot quicker. It’s definitely worth the extra five minutes before and after exercise!
Speak up about potential medical issues. If you suffer from an illness that could be aggravated by a massage or if you are pregnant, say something. Your masseuse will be able to adjust their technique to give you a great massage that works around your ailment and keeps you safe.
Believe it or not, there is a massage everyone should do after eating a meal. It involves putting both of your palms on the abdomen and moving them in a circular motion. This can help you digest better, improving your overall health.
When creams are going to be used for a massage, try out one that has a minty smell to it. This scent is refreshing and relaxing, which is exactly what you want. Look for good quality products that feature a moisturizer.
Do you have a cold? You can relieve sinus pressure by massaging your face gently. Massage your forehead and temples and apply gentle pressure around your nose and eyes. Repeat this process throughout the day until the pressure is gone. This technique is useful to relieve headaches and stress too.
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.
Wake yourself up in the morning or calm yourself down at night with a good massage! To do this, gently thump your body with your fists. Begin at your legs and arms and go from bottom to top. This massage is great for relieving stress and tension. However, avoid this massage if you are currently taking any blood thinners because you could bruise your body.
You should ask for feedback when giving a massage to someone. Remind the person that you have no way of knowing how efficient your massage is if they do not let you know how they feel. Encourage the person to guide you so you can find the area that is tense.
See if the massage therapist has a referral program. The cost of your next massage can be drastically reduced by convincing your friends and loved ones to visit your preferred therapist. If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on massages, this can be a great plan.
Make sure that you are in a relaxing environment when you are giving a massage. This is entirely about releasing tension and relaxation. Too much noise will be very stressful. The given environment should encourage sleep. Play some quite music and turn down the lights to create a soothing atmosphere.
If you get massages all the time, you can practice stretching to prolong the benefits. A great alternative for this is yoga. By stretching, you increase the looseness of the muscles, thereby increasing their comfort between massage visits. You should stretch for at least thirty minutes every other day.
Make sure you aren’t holding your breath during your massage session. Pressure massage is important to work out the kinks and pains in your muscles. The stored up pension cannot be eliminated if you are holding your breath the whole time. If you are feeling nervous, try some deep and slow breathing exercises before starting your session.
Wash your feet before massaging them. You will not have to worry about germs once your feet are clean and the massage will be a lot more enjoyable once the skin is made more sensitive by the warm water. If you experience pain, soak your feet in warm water again after the massage.
It is important to inform your masseuse of all medical conditions and other relevant personal information. Things, like allergies to certain scents must be known so they can avoid using oils that contain those scents. Tell them about injuries or surgeries you’ve had, too.
Try using a body rock or a bamboo tool so you can apply pressure more efficiently. Holding one of these objects in your hand will give you more strength, but you can also apply the object directly on the tense muscle. Make sure you use some oil or another kind of lubricant.
Although individual massages feel amazing, you may need to have several massages spread out over several weeks before you experience relief. It can take time sometimes for you to feel better. Your masseuse can suggest exercises or stretches that may help you feel better, as well, so ask him or her for advice.
These tips should have placed you in the mood for a great massage. Whether you give or get, massage will truly makes everyone involved feel great. Continue learning new techniques so you can master the art of massage.
