Is stress threatening to overwhelm you? Perhaps you would just like some relaxation? If this is the case, a great massage can help you calm your mind. Just keep reading to find out more about massage.
If you are an athlete or have excessively hard workouts then having massages regularly is a good idea. Massages can loosen your muscles up before a game or exercise to help them from becoming injured. It can also help after strenuous exercise to help heal your muscles and keep them from stiffening up or becoming painful.
Don’t eat on your way to a massage. You may feel very uncomfortable during the massage due to bloat or general discomfort. Make sure your food is fully digested before the massage. This will maximize your comfort level so you can focus on the actual massage.
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.
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.
Keep the room at a good temperature throughout the entire massage. If you are giving a massage during the winter, try to have the heat on so that things are not uncomfortable. On the other hand, if it is very hot outside, keep the air conditioning on at a reasonable level.
Try out a variety of oils for massage. This is particularly important as each person reacts differently to various oils. Oils provide the lubrication you need to easily give a massage.
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.
When you are giving a massage, try to have the person you are massaging in as few articles of clothing as possible. If they are uncomfortable, they can wear a towel to feel more secure at all times. Having areas of the body exposed is not only soothing, but it also facilitates your job.
Use the bear hug technique if you have a great deal of tension in your shoulders. Just wrap your arms through your chest as you make an “x”. Rub each shoulder with your opposing hands. This is an easy way to get a quick message in and relieve some tension whenever you want.
Once massage becomes a routine part of your life, it will be important to establish a good relationship with your therapist. You’ll feel more relaxed and at ease when you are comfortable with the person giving you the massage. Take some time before beginning your massage and have a chat with your therapist to ensure you feel comfortable in his or her hands.
After your client becomes comfortable with the massage, increase the speed. When you first start a massage, you want to be sure the person you are massaging is comfortable, which is why you should go slowly. Once into the groove, you can speed up and push harder.
Do you know where to focus your massage on? Where it hurts, of course! Begin with areas that have aches and pains and head outwards from there. If other painful spots are felt, massage that area as well. Use your own judgement as to when you should end your massage.
Listen to your massage therapist and follow any professional directions they give you. They are the experts after all. As long as this person is being professional, trust that they know what is best. This includes any requests before and immediately following a massage. There may be things you need to do to make sure your muscles respond well.
Before beginning your massage, discuss pressure with your massage therapist. Some people like massages that are very deep with a hard intensity. Others prefer a lighter touch or even Reiki style massages where touch is not necessary. If you let your therapist know what works for you, they can adjust the massage to meet your individual needs.
Do not forget to tip your massage therapist. Many therapists work mostly for tips and only receive a small percentage of the price you pay for the massage. They will appreciate a good tip, and it will be remembered the next time you return. A fair tip is typically fifteen to twenty percent.
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.
As mentioned earlier, if you need to relax, a massage is a great option for you. If you follow the tips here, you should be able to find a nice massage easily. You should also use these tips while looking for a good massage therapist and you will have an excellent experience.