Have you been craving the soothing pleasures of a professional massage? There is a lot you can learn about massage techniques that will benefit you, whether you are giving or getting a massage. The following article can help prepare you to both give and get massages.
Do you suffer from extreme muscle aches and pains? If so, visit a massage therapist or read a book about trigger points so that you can learn how to treat these pains. When muscles tense up too much, little knots can form and these are referred to as trigger points. Not only can the pain be felt at these points, but it can also cause referred pain over other parts of the body. A book on the subject or a trained massage therapist can educate you about how to use massage to rid yourself of these points.
Massage therapy provides an excellent method of relieving pain as well as stress. If you experience lots of aches and pains, then you should obtain a massage on a regular basis. Find a relative or friend who can massage you or visit a professional masseuse.
Pregnancy can be especially hard on your body over the course of nine months. Carrying the extra weight from the baby can lead to aches and pains in places that you never knew existed. Treating yourself to full body prenatal massages can be just the thing to get you feeling more like yourself again.
Try to get a good massage a couple times per week. Oftentimes, massages on a regular basis helps a person’s overall mental and physical health. This is probably because a good massage releases toxins from your muscles and relaxes you. Where possible, try to arrange for a massage twice a week.
Keep the room at a good temperature throughout the entire massage. If you are giving a massage during the winter, try to have the heat on so that things are not uncomfortable. On the other hand, if it is very hot outside, keep the air conditioning on at a reasonable level.
It is important that you arrive on time, or better yet, early for your massage. If you have to rush to get to your massage appointment, you are going to feel hurried. If it gets to the point where you are rushing to get to your massage location, you may show up over-stressed! Your objective is to hit the massage table relaxed.
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.
A great place to start with a massage is the back. When you start on your partner’s back, you will give their body an overall relaxation that is more conducive to massaging the rest of the body. The quicker you can get their entire body to relax, the more beneficial the entire massage will be.
Speak up about potential medical issues. If you suffer from an illness that could be aggravated by a massage or if you are pregnant, say something. Your masseuse will be able to adjust their technique to give you a great massage that works around your ailment and keeps you safe.
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.
Massage can help your marriage if you have a high stress job. When you come home after a hard day at work, as soothing massage by your mate can increase your love and appreciation for him or her. Instead of feeling too tired for romance, you will be more open to spending some quality time.
Don’t be afraid to talk when getting a deep tissue or sports massage! You can relax, but speak up when anything is painful. The massage therapist need to know to avoid injuring you.
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.
When booking a massage treatment, choose a time which is easy for you to attend. You need to get there early, and you shouldn’t be in a rush to leave. Talk to them about their policy on cancellations to ensure you don’t get even more stressed out if you have to reschedule.
You should ask for feedback when giving a massage to someone. Remind the person that you have no way of knowing how efficient your massage is if they do not let you know how they feel. Encourage the person to guide you so you can find the area that is tense.
If you are unsure of which massage therapist to see in your area, ask your family members and coworkers. Referrals are crucial. While they don’t ensure that you will get a great therapist, they do increase your odds tremendously. After you get a few names, do your own research to see which person you think best fits your needs.
This article cannot possibly cover all of the information that a professional massage therapist is expected to know. This is just a starting point for you. Use the tips above to help you either give or receive a massage.
