Massage has long been something that millions of people have enjoyed and millions more have wanted to learn more about. Given the voluminous information available on the topic, it can be difficult to sort the good material from the bad. Fortunately, by reading the article that follows, you can gain a proper understanding of some of the most important elements of massage.
Massage therapy is a great way to find relief from stress and pain. Regular massages can really help to relieve non-forgiving back pain or any stress-related illnesses. Find a friend or relative who can give you a massage or go to a professional.
Hydrate yourself well for forty-eight hours before your massage. Many people know that heavy water intake after a massage is good for flushing the body of toxins and helping with sore muscles. Drinking plenty of water before the massage will greatly increase the impact of the massage and its purging abilities.
Always hire a licensed massage therapist. Licensed therapists have been through rigorous training and are better able to understand your needs. Working with one of these individuals means that they should have more knowledge than an unlicensed person.
Ask you friends who they use for their massages. It can be hard to find a massage therapist that you are comfortable with, but knowing that someone you know uses and trusts them you will feel that much better about it. Ask as many people as you can before you decide on one to try.
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.
A popular back massage you can try out on someone is called a “Raking Massage”. With this technique, you spread your fingers apart and use your tips to give the massage. Begin in the shoulder area and work your way down the back using a raking motion. Then, you move your fingers down the spine without actually touching it. Move one hand down as the other hand moves up.
Lubrication is important when giving a massage. The best lubricants will allow your hands to glide across the body. Oils work well as do many lotions. Try out a few different kinds and see which works best. You want a lotion that will not require reapplication causing breaks during the massage.
One of the best things that you can do before and after your massage is to drink a lot of water. Water will help to eliminate some of the free radicals that are in your body, which may be causing your discomfort in the first place. This will optimize your overall experience.
If you need help with stress or pain, you should get a massage from a professional. Asking someone you know to give you a massage can be helpful but keep in mind that a trained professional will be able to use technique your friend or relative does not know about.
Do not forget to stretch before and after you receive a massage. A massage will be more efficient if your muscles are already warm and you will have more energy after your massage if you take a few minutes to stretch your muscles. Besides, stretching is an efficient way to relieve muscle pain.
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.
How long should you massage a spot for? Try to aim for about thirty seconds. If you have many places to rub, this will help to speed along the process. If you find that the spot still aches or is tight, return to it later for another 30 second session.
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.
If you are battling cancer it can really take a toll on your body. You are probably feeling a little depressed, some anxiety, fatigue and nausea from the treatments and the diagnosis in general. Having a massage has been proven to help fight off all of these symptoms, which can help you to fight even that much harder to beat it.
When you plan to book an appointment for a massage, call up a few local spas and ask them what they have to offer. You may find that they provide a massage style which you’d like to try out, or that they don’t offer the old standby you’d prefer to use.
A great massage to relieve strained shoulders is a bear hug. To begin, cross your arms over your chest. Grab your shoulder with either hand. Then, squeeze a shoulder and release it about three times. Do this for both of them. After that, move down your arms, squeezing and releasing them until you reach your wrists.
If you are getting a massage and you do not feel comfortable or suddenly feel like you are in pain, do not be afraid to end it. You are the paying customer whose pleasure should be the number one concern, so if you feel discomfort at any time, you have the right to conclude your session.
The art of massage is a complex topic, but also one of great interest to many. The key to acquiring a good understanding of what massage has the capacity to do for countless individuals is getting your hands on the right information. The article above should serve as a useful reference as you continue your quest for greater understanding of the subject of massage.