Are you having troubling pain in your back, or maybe your legs? Have you tried everything short of surgery, but still can’t seem to get rid of the pain? Maybe you need to try getting a massage. In the following article, you’ll find more information about how you can use massages to treat your pain.
If you suffer from frequent tension headaches, you may benefit from a professional deep tissue neck massage. To perform a deep tissue massage, the massage therapist uses a stretching technique along with pressure to pull and stretch your muscles. This allows the muscles to relax; thus, relieving your headache and tension.
Massage in an environment without loud noises. If you are located in a high traffic area, consider playing soft music in the background. This will help your level of relaxation during the process. Move to another location that is less noisy, or choose to do your massage at a quieter time of the day. This will lend itself to the ideal massage setting.
If you are getting a massage and the spa doesn’t give you a foot bath before the massage, give yourself one. If your feet are dirty, it is possible that the germs can travel to other areas of your body during the massage. In the event that there are not facilities for washing the feet, then you can at least use the bathroom sink.
If you want to become a skillful massage therapist, you have to realize that you need to spend time in developing your skills. Start small, practicing on people you know. Then, once you know what you’re doing, practice on your boyfriend or girlfriend.
Help the massage therapist by relaxing your body. Avoid trying to “help” by tensing certain muscles or areas. The massage therapist is well-educated in various ways to maneuver your body parts to achieve the best results from massage, but their work is hindered if you can’t relax. Try doing some deep breathing and practice just letting go and trusting the therapist to do a great job.
Trigger point therapy, or neuromuscular therapy works best when the concentrated pressure is put on certain trigger points. Examples of trigger points are muscle areas that have become irritated with lumps and knots. These are extremely painful areas and can sometimes affect other areas in the body. Applying pressure here can relax the muscle and relieve the pain.
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.
If massage is new to you, stick to a Swedish massage or some sort of basic deep tissue massage. There are many different types of massages, and if you don’t understand what they are all about, you may not get your needs met. These will work until you learn about the other methods.
When giving a massage to someone, you need to be careful about the amount of pressure you are putting in them. Applying too much pressure could cause damage to their nerves, joints and muscles. Also, you should be massaging toward the heart, as applying the wrong way could cause damage to veins.
Did you know you have great self-massage tools around the house? Why not lie on a tennis ball for a sore spot on your back? A rolling pin is great for the bottom of your feet. Walk around your house and you may be surprised by all the great tools you find!
An excellent way to give a great back massage is using the “raking” technique. This involves using the tips of your fingers. Make sure that you spread your fingers apart. Begin your massage at the shoulders and slowly move your hands down the other person’s back. Your fingers should move alongside the person’s spine; however, you should not actually touch the spine. While one hand is going down one side, have your other hand go up in an alternating motion.
If you like gentle massages, request a Swedish massage. This type of massage uses long, gentle strokes. It has been described as the most relaxing type of massage available. This massage gently massages the superficial layers of muscle tissue resulting in relaxation and peace of mind. This type of massage is great for those who are new to massage therapy.
Get to your massage early. While massaging is all about relaxation, this isn’t your call to action to stroll in when you feel the time is right. The therapist typically has a packed schedule, so it is important that you are mindful of that.
Do you have a cold? You can relieve sinus pressure by massaging your face gently. Massage your forehead and temples and apply gentle pressure around your nose and eyes. Repeat this process throughout the day until the pressure is gone. This technique is useful to relieve headaches and stress too.
Make sure you tell your masseuse about any old injuries you may have, or if you have had major surgery in the past. Your massage should feel wonderful and not exacerbate any physical issues you might have! Keep your masseuse in the loop about any medications you are taking, as well.
As you can see from this article, massage can be a viable solution for treating pain. Many people will attest to the benefits of a good massage, so why not get the benefits for yourself? Remember what you’ve read in the article and try a massage for yourself. You’ll be surprised at the results.