Massages are very enjoyable when they are done correctly. You need to know the best place to get a massage or the proper techniques to give a massage. Continue reading if you want to learn a little more about massages and what they can do for you.
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.
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.
Change your mindset about massage. Instead of thinking of it as a luxury, think of massage as a therapeutic approach to health. Research shows that massage can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as lessening asthma symptoms in children. Additionally, those tension headaches are no match for the hands of a skilled massage therapist.
When you receive a massage, you should relax. Just let stress go and breathe deeply. Do not forget to do some deep breathing at various times throughout your massage to keep all your muscles in their relaxed state.
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.
When using massage oil, before putting it on a person’s back, place it into your hands first. If you place the oil directly onto your partner, the oil may be surprisingly cold and startle the person. That’s not the kind of reaction you want from a massage. Instead place the oil first in your hands and warm the oil up by rubbing your hands together. This will make the oil the perfect temperature to use.
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.
Avoid holding your breath while your massage therapist is working. You may have knots that are extremely painful, yet the therapist cannot massage them out effectively if you hold your breath. Try to breathe through the muscle pain, and use a combination of deep breathing and visualization. In your mind, picture the area and imagine the knot is a lump of butter, melting in the warm sunshine.
When massaging someone, open your fingers up so that you can be more precise with the area that you massage. This helps to loosen up the muscles and is also a great technique if you are planning on giving a deep tissue massage. After you massage this way, close your hands back up and use your palms.
Athletes are likely familiar with sports massage. This type of massage has many different benefits. This type of massage helps to build your body and strengthen it against future injury in addition to repairing your current injury.
If you are new to getting a massage, you may be riddled with questions. Do you keep your eyes closed? Do you chit chat during the massage? Should you keep your eyes open when lying on your back? The best way to deal with all of these things is to do what feels right to you. The point of your massage is to relax and to feel relaxed.
Finding the right therapist is very important when it comes to massages. You do not want to visit an inexperienced or inept therapist who may cause you more harm than good. Ask friends or family if they know of a good one in your area or look on the Internet for reviews.
Be on time, or a little early. Besides being good etiquette, being punctual can actually help your massage be effective. When you are running late, you are usually in a frenzied state, increasing stress levels and putting your body on edge. In a massage, this means it will take you longer to unwind and you may not get all of the benefits of a relaxing rub down.
Now that you are armed with excellent tips, you are prepared for a great massage. Regardless of whether you are giving or receiving a massage, the experience should be enjoyable. Seek out as many massage techniques as you can and you’ll be an expert at the art of massage in no time.
