If you have ever been stressed out and gotten a massage, you know about the healing power of touch. If you get massages regularly, it can be a wonderful way for you to start really feeling good about yourself. Here are some massage tips to open this world a little bit more to 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.
After you get a massage, you’ll need to make sure to drink lots of water. The pressure from a massage will release toxins into your body that were being held in by the muscle. Drinking often will get rid of these toxins and help you feel better. Try to have two or three glasses in the first hour and at least eight glasses in the following twenty-three.
Keep in mind that everyone is different; therefore, no massage between two people should be identical. Thus, you should adjust your massage to suit the individual. The responses that the recipient of your massage will give you will let you know what they are liking and disliking. You always should keep an eye out for feedback.
Try giving yourself or someone a foot massage. Focusing on the soles first can really relax a person. Start stroking the soles of the foot going back and forth in straight lines. Do these motions starting from the heel to the bases of the toes. After the soles have been properly massaged, you can move on to the toes and the top and middle of the foot.
Be sure to wash your feet before getting a massage. Your spa may provide a foot bath, or you may need to take care of this on your own. If your feet are dirty, it is possible that the germs can travel to other areas of your body during the massage. If there is no option for a foot bath, rush to the bathroom before getting your massage and wash them in the sink.
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.
If you’re pregnant, you can still enjoy a massage if it is given by a license therapist. This is a great way to deal with morning sickness, stress, back pain, sore breasts and swollen ankles. You can continue it after birth to deal with postpartum depression, weight loss and baby-carrying pains, too.
Communicate with your massage therapist. Your masseuse is most likely not a mind reader, so let them know if an area of your body needs a little extra attention. Whether your shoulders are a mess from being hunched over a desk or your legs are sore from a marathon workout, speak up.
If you have dry hands or feet, find a good moisturizer and use it for massages. Apply a small dose of moisturizer on your dry skin and take the time to massage the area. Massaging allows the moisturizer to penetrate the skin to its deeper layers, which means you will get better results.
During a massage, your hands should be capable of interpreting the responses given by the patient’s body. Work out the palm and fingers of your hand. When you get to bones, limit the pressure you apply. Your fingers can be used in curvier areas to work deeply and really work out the kinks.
Get to your massage on time. Even though it is for stress relief, that doesn’t mean you can walk in when you want to. Masseurs have appoints they must keep and you should have respect for their time.
Use your hands to heat the massage oil before spreading it on the body. No one likes the feel of cold oil, especially if it’s at the beginning of a massage. Rather, place oil in the hands, and rub them together for a moment or two. This rubbing motion will create heat that will increase the temperature of the oil.
Try using your own visualization while getting a massage. Close your eyes and picture yourself in a favorite spot, surrounded by people you love. Take in all you love about the setting and transfer that to the feeling in your body. This can enhance your massage experience and help you to feel well rested.
Now that you have had a chance to learn more about massage, you can use this wonderful technique to your advantage. Whether you give massages or receive them, massage can be a great therapy for all of us. You just have to remember what you have learned here, and pass it on to others.
