If you’ve ever wanted to know how to give better massages, it’s not as difficult as you think. You could educate yourself with an expensive massage therapy course, or you could just read this article to learn more. Begin today!
When giving a massage, consider using a little bit of oil. Oil helps you to rub your hands over the skin more easily, and it also makes it easier to go deeper with pressure while giving the massage. Almond oil, olive oil and baby oil are all good choices. If you wish, add a little essential oil to make the massage fragrant.
Don’t eat on your way to a massage. This may make it difficult to enjoy your massage. Allow your food to fully digest. This will allow you to feel comfortable in any position you might be asked to assume during the massage.
If you have problems with tension headaches and medication is not doing the trick, consider massage. Massage helps to relax the body, and it can target specific pressure points that offer benefits. Enjoying a massage once a week might be all you need to get rid of your headaches and keep them away.
If you have arthritis, you know just how painful it is. Sometimes medication will work, but this is a more natural way to go about things. A massage can provide various benefits for your arthritis. A good massage can help improve blood flow and enhance circulation, thus reducing overall pain and discomfort.
When you decide to get a massage, make sure you are communicating with your massage therapist. If you have any massage preferences, make sure you tell him or her when entering the room and before starting. If during the massage you are feeling pain or experiencing numbness, make sure you let your therapist know by speaking up.
If you have a favorite fragrance of massage oil, bring it to your next massage. More than likely, the therapist will be willing to use it. Sometimes they may have a preference for oils of a certain type, but it is definitely worth asking to see if they are willing to use your favorite.
You could get a foot massage through a trick that is used by athletes. Get a tennis or golf ball and roll your feet on top. Move feet over that ball heel to toe and side to side. Keep your massage concentrated on the area where your arches are because they are sensitive.
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!
How much should you tip a masseuse? If you’re at a hotel or a local spa, 20% is pretty standard. If they work from home, each therapist will typically set their own policies, but 20% is fair. If they work in a massage clinic, ask them for their rules – some will include the tip in the price.
To perform a pregnancy massage, have the expectant mother lie on her side and gently rub her back using a circular motion. A pregnancy massage is especially beneficial during the third trimester when the weight of the baby creates pressure points in the expectant mother’s lower back and buttock areas.
You should massage yourself after having a meal. It involves putting both of your palms on the abdomen and moving them in a circular motion. This helps both circulation and digestion.
Prior to exercise, give your muscles a massage to increase blood flow and make recovery faster. You can rub your arms and legs to get your blood flowing. Massaging your muscles in an upward motion towards your heart after a workout can really help to heal your body faster.
If you are experiencing pain in your feet, you should try ankle rotations to get the blood flowing. To do this, put your hand under a heel, and then use the other hand to clasp your foot. Then rotate your foot with your hands in both directions.
Drink plenty of water before and after your massage. Drinking before your massage session ensures that your muscles are well-hydrated and supple, making the massage more effective. Water after your massage will flush out the toxins that were released and can even help prevent soreness by hastening muscle recovery time.
Learn the proper finger techniques for doing a back massage at home. It’s true that you will be mainly massaging using a finger and a thumb on each hand. However, massaging using only those digits will cause you to wear your thumbs out, so try using the other fingers on your hands to support them.
If you notice that you are having a lot of pain in your head, opt for craniosacral therapy. This massage technique focuses primarily on the skull and down the middle of your back with minor pressure that relieves tension and helps trauma. This is a good massage to have if you are older and find yourself sore more often.
Many children that have been diagnosed with Autism really enjoy the feeling a deep pressure in different areas of their body such as the chin or legs. When your child is upset you can help them calm down by giving them that deep pressure that they are craving by giving them a massage.
Apply these tips as you set about giving and getting massages. It is always useful to learn as much as you can about massage so that you always have an edge on the competition. Demonstrate your knowledge for all to see!