Are you lacking in your massage expertise? It is important to know what you are doing if you want to give massages to people. Read on to learn all about massage therapy. You would be surprised at how much some simple techniques will improve the way you give massages.
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.
The use of massage oil really does help usher in the extra feeling and sensation. This helps reduce tension and stress in the muscles. Technique is one thing, and having the right massage oil really does do the extra trick. Massaging the oil into the skin as you deep tissue massage is just wonderful.
Stretch before you go to get a message. This will help to loosen you up just a little bit before hand so that your massage therapist can quickly locate any problem areas that you might have. If you have extreme pain you may not want to do this, otherwise it is a good idea.
Stretch marks can be a pain, and if you have them, you know what I mean! You should massage your stretch marks with some cocoa butter on a daily basis. You should see a noticeable difference.
Try to limit all background noise when you are giving your massage, as the environment should be as quiet and calm as possible at all times. You will want the person you are massaging to relax their muscles so that your massage technique will work, as a quiet atmosphere helps to facilitate this.
When you are giving a massage, try to have the person you are massaging in as few articles of clothing as possible. If they are uncomfortable, they can wear a towel to feel more secure at all times. Having areas of the body exposed is not only soothing, but it also facilitates your job.
Bear hugs are great to relive tension in your shoulders. Make an ‘X’ across your chest with your arms. Take each shoulder in a hand and begin to rub. This quick massage technique will relieve some of the tension from the day.
If you are giving a romantic massage to your partner, consider lighting the room with candles. Candles provide just the right amount of light so you can see what you are doing, while still allowing your partner to relax. They are also very romantic, and they can lend to the feeling you are trying to create in the moment.
When your feet are aching after a long day, consider having some reflexology. This therapy uses pressure on specific areas of the foot which are connected to your organs, just like in acupuncture. It causes not only your feet to feel amazing, but also helps balance your systems and gives you a great deal of relaxation.
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.
Try not to neglect any area of the body when giving a massage, including the hands and feet. A good hand and/or foot massage can be remarkably relaxing and rejuvenating. Stay firm with your technique, unless your client seems uncomfortable during the massage.
If you are pregnant and getting a massage, avoid massage tables which have holes in them. This will ensure yours and the baby’s comfort and prevent the stress to your lower back. Also, make sure you use plenty of pillows as additional padding in order to feel more comfortable and secure.
If you like gentle massages, request a Swedish massage. This type of massage uses long, gentle strokes. It has been described as the most relaxing type of massage available. This massage gently massages the superficial layers of muscle tissue resulting in relaxation and peace of mind. This type of massage is great for those who are new to massage therapy.
Let your masseuse know of your music preferences. Many people enjoy relaxing music playing during their massage, however some do not. If you prefer a quiet environment while you get your massage, speak up. You can also specify a particular type of music or even request ambient noise such as bird songs or ocean waves.
If you spend most of your day sitting in front of a computer, you should take frequent breaks so you can massage your neck. Place your fingers at the base of your skull and squeeze your muscles gently. Stretch your muscles by tilting your head to the side before massaging your muscles some more.
If you are providing a massage to someone and using oil, offer a shower afterwards. This will not only help to get the oil off of their body, but can soothe their body as well. Additionally, it will benefit the skin by preventing blemishes caused by pores clogged with oil.
Do you now feel as if you’ve got the knowledge you need to give an excellent massage? Use the skills that you have just read, and take the time necessary to do what you need to do in order to keep learning new strategies. Practice the techniques you read about so you can master them.