Getting or giving the perfect massage is one of life’s great pleasures. It helps let the daily stresses melt away and can bring couples closer together. There are a number of helpful tips to help improve a person’s massage skills. Read on to learn all about massages, both giving and getting one.
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.
When you are giving a massage, make sure that you are getting your thumbs into the mix. Your thumbs, because they’re so strong, can also stimulate muscle therapy. You don’t want to press too hard because this might actually cause discomfort.
If you suffer from frequent tension headaches, you may benefit from a professional deep tissue neck massage. To perform a deep tissue massage, the massage therapist uses a stretching technique along with pressure to pull and stretch your muscles. This allows the muscles to relax; thus, relieving your headache and tension.
Try different oils on your patient prior to massaging them. This is important as everyone’s body will react differently to oils, as it is your job to find the best one. Oils play an important roll in massage because it enables the hands to slide over the body without causing too much friction.
An easy way to give a relaxing massage is by using a technique called “raking”. In it, you just run your fingertips (spread hands) down the person’s back, gently moving back and forth. Really, you’re doing a raking motion up and down. For added effect, try alternating your hands – one rakes up while the other rakes down.
Are you prone to muscle cramps either brought on by physical activity or sometimes nothing at all? These can be very painful, especially when they are in your calf. Massages can help to prevent your muscles from cramping up by promoting blood flow. You can also massage the area as soon as you feel it beginning to cramp up for some quick relief.
There are many benefits to getting a Thai massage. In addition to reliving tension you may have in your joints and muscles, it can also strengthen your nervous system and help you become more flexible. The therapist will stretch your body out for you, but you must control your breathing.
If you suffer from frequent illnesses, there is hope. Massage boosts white blood cell production. White blood cells help your body to fight off viruses that are responsible for making you sick.
Boost the speed of the massage the deeper you go in. Starting slow allows the recipient to get familiar with your touch. Once time has passed, you can speed up and use more pressure.
Listen to your massage therapist and follow any professional directions they give you. They are the experts after all. As long as this person is being professional, trust that they know what is best. This includes any requests before and immediately following a massage. There may be things you need to do to make sure your muscles respond well.
Doing eye massages can relieve tired and sore eyes. The main benefit of this massage is using warmth to relieve pain and strain. Begin this massage by rubbing your hands together vigorously. Do this until your hands start to feel warm. When hands are warm, cover each eye with a palm until the warmth goes away.
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.
Sit still and calmly for a couple of moments following the massage. A massage does a lot to your body in a short period of time. Your body might not be able to handle sudden movements so quickly. You may even feel sick or a bit faint. Sit up for a few minutes and then stand.
When giving someone a massage, make sure the environment is relaxing. It needs to provide both relaxation and the feeling of stress melting away. Noise will only cause more stress. Create an ambiance that would promote restful sleep. Play some quite music and turn down the lights to create a soothing atmosphere.
Massaging is a great way to relieve pain and stress but keep in mind that a massage might not be your best option if your joints or articulations are bothering you. You should go to a chiropractor for some adjustments instead of massaging or trying to adjust your joints yourself.
Create a warm and relaxing environment for your patient. The temperature should be comfortable enough that exposed skin is not cold. You may choose to play relaxing music if you both agree to it. Turn off any cell phones and perform the massage in a clean room to minimize distractions.
Try not to look at massage therapy as a one and done thing, especially if you have chronic pain. Massaging has a lot of great benefits over the long haul, through multiple sessions. Schedule a few of them over the course of the month and evaluate the results after several sessions and not just one.
These tips should help you find the perfect massage, teach your partner what to do or even improve your own massage skills. Whether you and a partner do it yourself or you find a professional to do it, a good massage is one of the most pleasurable things you can enjoy. Good luck.
