Do you need to better your massage knowledge? Are you aware of what goes into a good massage? Read on to learn all about massage therapy. You may be amazed at how a few simple massage techniques can improve the massages you give.
One great massage technique that you can do for your partner is called raking. Raking means that you spread your hands out, and using your fingertips, you rake up one side of the back right by the spine while you rake downward on the other side with your other hand.
If you find yourself frequently plagued by muscle pain, look for a book about trigger points, or seek out a masseuse that is well-versed in neuromuscular therapy. Trigger points are tiny knots that appear in tight muscles. Trigger points can cause pain and various other symptoms in different parts of the body. You can find books that are helpful on learning about trigger point therapy. You may also want to look for a masseuse that’s skilled in this practice.
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.
Hydrate yourself well for forty-eight hours before your massage. Many people know that heavy water intake after a massage is good for flushing the body of toxins and helping with sore muscles. Drinking plenty of water before the massage will greatly increase the impact of the massage and its purging abilities.
One of the best things that you can do before and after your massage is to drink a lot of water. Water will help to eliminate some of the free radicals that are in your body, which may be causing your discomfort in the first place. This will optimize your overall experience.
Massages are often underestimated. You can reduce your pain and stress and increase your energy by having a massage. No matter what health problems you have, go to a professional to learn how beneficial getting a massage is.
Do you suffer from high blood pressure? Whether it is hereditary or caused by stress it can be dangerous. If you are looking for a way to lower your blood pressure a bit, try having a massage. Massages are a great way to relieve stress and tension. They have also been proven to lower peoples blood pressure significantly.
Try doing the bear hug method if you have shoulder tension. You can fold your arms in an x across your chest. Place a hand on each of the shoulders and rub. This lessens tension and perks you up.
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.
A massage can be enhanced by the right scent. Keep your scents natural and mild, not overpowering and strong. Do not use medicinal scents, rather use scents that are fruity or floral. This type of scent will allow the person to feel calm and relaxed while they are being massaged.
Try not to exceed 45 minutes when you are giving a massage. Remember that you are pressing down on someone’s body for a long period of time when you are massaging. Therefore, if you do it for too long you can actually cause bruising and pain, which you will want to avoid.
What should one use for a self-massage? Whatever you can use! If you’re massaging a knot out of your thigh, why not use your elbow? Is your neck sore? Fingers will do, but you can also buy a massaging neck roller. Try out different items and body parts and see what works for you.
Before beginning your massage, discuss pressure with your massage therapist. Some people like massages that are very deep with a hard intensity. Others prefer a lighter touch or even Reiki style massages where touch is not necessary. If you let your therapist know what works for you, they can adjust the massage to meet your individual needs.
Try not to go to a massage appointment with a full stomach. It is better to have eaten about half an hour before your appointment. A massage requires that you lay on your stomach for an extended period of time, and this can be very uncomfortable if your belly is too full.
Give yourself a calm environment while giving massages. It is critical that you release their tension and relax them. The person is likely to tense up if the area is noisy. Instead, the environment needs to be quiet and relaxing. With dim lights and gentle music you will be able to create the perfect atmosphere.
A proper environment is essential to a successful therapeutic back massage at home. The ideal location is in a quiet, warm and relaxed environment. If you’re not doing the massage in an area like that, the person you’re massaging may not be able to relax or reap all of the benefits of a therapeutic massage.
Hopefully you now feel more confident to be able to give an excellent massage. Implement the advice given and practice what you’ve learned in order to improve your massage skills. Keep adding improvements to your technique, and let your hands do what they do best.
