Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of receiving a massage. If you have considered undergoing a massage sometime in the past, but have yet to do it, you may benefit from learning what the article below will teach you. This information may even benefit those who have enjoyed massages on a regular basis.
If you decide to get a massage in the comfort of your own home, take a hot shower first. The hot water will help relax your muscles through the penetrating heat. This will ensure that your massage is more comfortable and any aches or pains are eliminated before the start.
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.
Start your massage at the top of the back. This is important as there are a lot of muscles and knots tied up in this area. This technique will help you to soothe the person you are massaging and serves as a great bridge to the other areas of the body.
Before massaging someone, experiment and provide options for using different oil types. Each person is different and will have a different reaction to oil; you must find what works for them. Oils provide the lubrication you need to easily give a massage.
If your baby is having a difficult time sleeping, give massage a try. Massage is relaxing and easy for any parent to do. Just rest the baby on your lap and rub the back, arms, legs and neck gently. You can even use a little oil to make the massage more enjoyable.
To eliminate the kinks, do an easy self-massage. Begin by massaging your peripheral appendages. Begin with the toes, and work your way up. This is a great massage first thing in the morning and at the end of the day. This helps to lessen stress and it can even help you sleep better.
If you are giving a massage, aim to use slower movements in order to give your subject a calming, soothing experience. If you are using your thumbs to apply pressure, be careful not to put all your weight on your thumbs. This could cause them to tire. Support your hand with your other fingers. Do use the weight of your body, as opposed to the strength of your muscles, to apply pressure. This will help you prevent exhaustion.
Help the massage therapist by relaxing your body. Avoid trying to “help” by tensing certain muscles or areas. The massage therapist is well-educated in various ways to maneuver your body parts to achieve the best results from massage, but their work is hindered if you can’t relax. Try doing some deep breathing and practice just letting go and trusting the therapist to do a great job.
Try to save conversation for after the massage. You may love chatting with your massage therapist, but talking during the massage prevents you from ever relaxing fully. In fact, it may actually cause some muscles to tense up, making your therapist’s job even more difficult. Do speak up about your needs, however — if the room’s too cold, the music is too loud, or any other factor that prevents you from sinking deep into relaxation.
When you have a client that you are giving a massage to, ask whether or not they are comfortable. The last thing that you will want is someone who does not feel secure when you are giving a massage. Additionally, they will be very tight and tough to massage if they are anxious.
Take the time to inspect your body before massaging it. You should be sure your palm and fingers get plenty of work. On rougher surfaces, you may want to use your palms to massage. For soft tissue, use your thumbs.
It is always a good idea to talk to your massage therapist about any discounts offered for referrals. If they do, you could get a significant discount off of your services by sending your friends to your therapist. This is especially useful if you are on a tight budget or need massages often in order to feel well.
Try doing some ankle rotations to relieve pain in your feet or joints. Your hand should be placed under the bottom of your heel. Next, grab the ball of the same foot with the other hand. Then, turn your ankle four times in one direction, and then four times in the other direction.
Do not immediately engage in strenuous activity following a massage. Taking a short, calming walk or sitting and reading for a few minutes would be ideal. It is often reported that people feel dizzy following a massage, and this means that the body is not ready to jump into heavy lifting or heart racing activities. It is fine to enjoy these activities a little later in the day, about an hour or so after your massage.
If you are suffering from tension in the lower muscles of your body, get a deep tissue massage. There are five muscle layers in your body as this massage gets the lowest level of muscles. This is great if you play sports or have chronic tension that is not going away anytime soon.
If you want to put some spark back into your relationship, consider giving your partner a romantic massage. They are more intimate than a standard massage and can really relax your partner for some couple focused bonding time. It will enhance your relationship through touch and make your partner feel special.
The information that you have just read should answer many of the questions that you may have had about massage. Consider your options and think about what you might like or dislike. Then, you will be ready to go for a quality massage and request what services you feel comfortable with.
