If you’ve never had a massage, you don’t know what you’re missing. Massage is an art form that eludes many people due to the mystery that surrounds the topic. A good massage can take place in a professional setting or in the comfort of your own home. Find out more below.
Always be gentle when giving someone else a message. Even if the person you are massaging complains, you should avoid applying too much pressure to their muscles and joints. Unless you have been trained in message therapy, you are more likely to hurt them than to relieve their pain by being more forceful.
Get a drink of water after you get a massage. The water will help to eliminate the toxins that are released the the stimulation of tissues. The water you consume will help flush those toxins from your body. For the first hour, try to drink two to three glasses of water and the following twenty-three hours, drink up to eight glasses.
Make sure to go to your massage with an open mind. If you have never gotten a massage before, you might think some of the methods used are strange. Don’t let these things stop you from getting a good massage. Relax and allow the professional to work their magic.
Keeping an eye on your partner is key when it comes to giving a great massage. Watch for grimacing or tensing up. When you gain more experience, your hands will develop the ability to read the body. For example, if your subject feels tense, you may realize that you are applying too much pressure.
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.
Lubrication is important when giving a massage. The best lubricants will allow your hands to glide across the body. Oils work well as do many lotions. Try out a few different kinds and see which works best. You want a lotion that will not require reapplication causing breaks during the massage.
If your goal is to calm the massage recipient, use movements that are slow. If you move your hands too fast or generally attack the back, you’ll definitely not create a relaxing atmosphere! Instead focus on being calm yourself. Slow down your pace and move slowly but deliberately. Wait for cues from the massage recipient as to whether to speed up or slow down even more.
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.
When you’re stressed out or feeling emotional, aromatherapy massage is for you. The therapist will use essential oils while massaging your skin. They know exactly which oils will give you energy, relax you or help to bust stress. Lavender is frequently used to calm your mind and body, allowing you some peace.
When you decide to start having massages, try to develop a comfortable rapport with your massage therapist. You should be able to unwind more if you have a good relationship with the individual working with you. Talk to your therapist prior to the appointment; this will help you feel better about the entire process.
A neck massage can heal you in a variety of ways. The neck is where a lot of your knots will reside. This spot is also quite easy to massage and stands to benefit greatly from the process. You should always use an oil or lotion when giving massages.
Prior to getting a massage, inform your massage therapist of all the problem areas you have. If you don’t you may end up wasting half of your massage time on areas that need a lot less work to feel good! This communication will give your therapist a plan of action for the limited time there is available.
If you have any medical conditions, such as you are pregnant, make sure that you let your massage therapist know. Some techniques may not be appropriate for your condition, so it is best to let the therapist know before starting. This will give him or her enough time to adjust techniques.
Now that you’ve read this entire article, you know some things about massage. You are ready to put into practice what you’ve just learned and take advantage of the wonderful things massage has to offer. Whether you partake outside the home or never leave it, massage is sure to enhance your life.
