Do you love a good massage? You’re not alone, especially if you balk at the price. Oftentimes, an expensive spa is the only place known to get a quality massage. After reading this article, you know how to make the most of your experience getting a massage, and you may have even learned how to give one, too.
When giving a massage, do not forget to focus some attention on the neck and shoulders. While much attention is paid to the back during a massage, the neck and shoulders can hold tension and stress too. Spending some time massaging them offers a lot of relief and can improve the massage experience.
Make sure the massage therapist you hire is licensed. A licensed masseuse has received specialized training and will understand your specific needs better. This ensures you won’t be injured or treated improperly during the session.
Ask you friends who they use for their massages. It can be hard to find a massage therapist that you are comfortable with, but knowing that someone you know uses and trusts them you will feel that much better about it. Ask as many people as you can before you decide on one to try.
You should always be early for a massage appointment. You can easily be lost in time. When this happens, you won’t be able to sufficiently relax for your massage. You really must strive to be relaxed from the outset.
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.
For the best massage, it is important to relax your body. You should be releasing as much tension as possible, so you may want to take some deep breathes while you position yourself on the massage table. Once the therapist begins the massage, continue taking some deep breaths from time to time to keep your muscles loose and relaxed.
When you decide to get a massage, make sure you are communicating with your massage therapist. If you have any massage preferences, make sure you tell him or her when entering the room and before starting. If during the massage you are feeling pain or experiencing numbness, make sure you let your therapist know by speaking up.
If you tend to have a lot of tension in your muscles, but you don’t like a rigorous massage, hot stone massage might be your best choice. The stones, which are smooth, are made warm and then placed onto specific areas of the body. This warms the muscles and tissues, releasing tension and pent-up energy.
Avoid holding your breath while your massage therapist is working. You may have knots that are extremely painful, yet the therapist cannot massage them out effectively if you hold your breath. Try to breathe through the muscle pain, and use a combination of deep breathing and visualization. In your mind, picture the area and imagine the knot is a lump of butter, melting in the warm sunshine.
Whenever you get yourself a massage, don’t be afraid to inform your massage therapist of your problem areas. The main goal of getting a massage is for muscles to relax, especially in the areas where they feel tightest. That’s why it’s a good idea to be very clear with your therapist about any aches, pains or other problems you have been having.
Finding the right therapist is very important when it comes to massages. You do not want to visit an inexperienced or inept therapist who may cause you more harm than good. Ask friends or family if they know of a good one in your area or look on the Internet for reviews.
Don’t swear off using a massage therapist of the opposite sex. You may initially be weird about it, but get over it! Men may have the height and strength you need to work out the kinks from a really bad back, and women may have the relaxed touch you need to de-stress. Be open to whoever may best fit your current need.
If you have a spot which hurts frequently, give it a massage once per day. This will help loosen it up and hopefully your pain will not return. Over time, you may find that it is already loose when you start to rub it, so you can reduce the frequency of massage.
Getting a good massage is one of life’s great pleasures, but it can be expensive. You can get an affordable price and still enjoy a fantastic massage. You might even be able to use some of the techniques you have learned in this article to give your partner a relaxing massage.
