Getting or giving a massage without the right information is something you need to avoid. If you aren’t prepared for getting or giving a massage, you can really end up hurting someone or even yourself. Instead of just diving into the topic and thinking you know everything, take some advice from this well written article below.
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.
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.
If you want to give a quick massage, consider focusing just on the feet. The feet offer a small area to massage that contains a wealth of benefits. Feet have many nerves and pressure points, and they hold the weight of the entire body throughout the day. Spend fifteen minutes massaging the feet and feel the difference it offers.
Giving a great massage is all about feeling out your partner. The best massage therapists will tell you that you need to let your hands read the body. Follow the bodies curves and lighten pressure as you go over bony areas. Modify the shape of your hand to fit in the curves of the body.
Swedish massage therapy is the most frequently offered type available. Some people consider this to just be a basic massage. The strokes are long and smooth, done in a kneading motion, typically in circles. The masseuse will normally use oil during the process. It is not too rigorous and quite enjoyable.
You should use slow movements if you want to help someone calm down. When you use your thumbs to apply pressure, use your other fingers for support. In addition, use your weight to prevent getting tired.
Certain smells can make a massage even better. Make sure the scents are natural and mild. Do not use any scents that smell like medicine. Instead, you should have floral or fruity scents. This allows the person receiving the massage to just drift away in a relaxing trance.
If you are a woman, don’t swear off men massage therapists. Since most women are modest, they often feel uncomfortable in front of a male massage therapist. However, some women have reported that the best massage they have gotten in a long time is from a male massage therapist. Whatever your decision, don’t just base it on the sex of the massage therapist.
Consider getting a massage in either just your underwear or naked. Skin to skin contact is important during any massage, and this can only be accomplished if you remove your clothes. You can always use a blanket to cover up if you are concerned about modesty or staying warm during the process.
Hydrate, hydrate. A massage loosens lymph fluid, lactic acid and other toxins from your soft tissues. This is part of what makes your muscles feel so nice afterward. However, if you are dehydrated, there is no way for these toxins to leave your system. This could leave you feeling sore and slightly nauseated after your massage, which defeats the whole effort and wastes money. So, make sure you drink up!
When your massage therapist tells you to drink water, listen! It is easy to become dehydrated quickly after a massage because toxins and fluids are released from your body. Drinking lots of water will help to replenish the fluids you are losing. If you choose to drink caffeine filled sodas or alcohol instead, you will suffer the consequences.
Rub the oil between your hands to warm it up before applying it to the skin. The last thing you want to do is make your client uncomfortable with cold oil. Rubbing your hands together for a little while before beginning the massage can really make all the difference in the world. This friction helps warm the oil up.
Never get a massage if your doctor advises against it. This may seem obvious, but often, people will get a massage because they feel that it will help soothe them and make them feel better. If you have muscle tears, this could actually make them worse with constant pressure on your body.
When giving a massage, do not be scared to apply light pressure to an area that is specifically tough. Start gently in the beginning, asking for feedback as you go, to ensure no pain is being caused. If you are careful in targeting each muscle, you will relieve both stress and pain. Remember that this is not advisable when massaging near articulations or near the spinal cord.
If you are unsure of which massage therapist to go to, try calling the practice and speaking to them. Discuss things like their education and how long they have been working. You can also question them to see if your needs fall into their particular specialization. You should get a good feeling for what the therapist is like just by asking a few simple questions.
Your health can find benefit from massage. It is worthwhile to check with your insurance company to see if massages are covered under your policy. This means that your massages will just cost a co-pay instead of a fortune.
Think about taking a massage class yourself. If you have found massage to be beneficial to your life, why not learn to do it yourself? You can’t give yourself massages all the time, but you can share this wonderful touch therapy with others. And when you learn more about it, you can understand why it works so well for you.
Reading this article probably did not take too much time on your hand. However, the things you’ve probably learned about getting or giving massages can really stick. If massages are something of interest to you as a whole, it is something you really need to research. Apply all that you’ve learned from this article for future success.
