How good are your massages? Does your spouse complain when you give a massage, or are you really just not sure what you’re doing? If you learn a few simple strategies, you can transfer from novice to intermediate pretty fast. It’s time you learned how to give a good massage, so keep reading.
If you have chronic muscle pain, read up about trigger points or talk to a massage therapist who knows about neuromuscular therapy. Tight muscles are prone to small knots known as trigger points. These trigger points may send pain and swelling to other areas in the body. You can learn about the proper way to massage these areas by reading books about trigger point therapy.
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.
When giving a massage, do not forget to focus some attention on the neck and shoulders. While much attention is paid to the back during a massage, the neck and shoulders can hold tension and stress too. Spending some time massaging them offers a lot of relief and can improve the massage experience.
When your feet hurt, you hurt all over. Relieve the pain with a good foot massage you can do on your own or someone can do it for you. Stroke your foot with your thumb from the base of your heel to your toes. This motion should go back and forth across your foot at the same time.
Reduce all external sound when you are giving a massage. Reduce external noise to create a peaceful, serene environment. A massage should provide total relaxation. Move to a less noisy location if you have to, or choose a quieter time of day. This will help you maintain a level of relaxation and calm.
The speed of your hands is important for the kind of massage you are trying to give. If you are looking for a massage to relax your partner, go for slow strokes. If you are looking to work out tired muscles that have been over exerted, faster strokes work better.
The power of a massage can not be underestimated. If you need to de-stress, relieve pain, or find the energy to face the day, you need a massage. Whatever health issues you may be suffering from, getting a massage can really help and you should give one a try.
If you are giving massages you should be aware that what kind of pressure used can make a difference when used to achieve certain results. In order to get rid of knots, you apply slow pressure in order to help release the tension. Constant pressure on those knots might help release the built up tension. This is a fundamental part of all deep tissue massages.
Schedule your massages smartly. If you usually get sleepy after a massage, you should avoid getting one before you have to go to work. However, if massages help you get some energy, do not hesitate to schedule a massage before you have to go through a stressful day at work.
Deep massages are great for injuries. Slow, deep movements are used against the grain of the muscle. This ensures the muscles loosen and get enough blood.
Shiatsu massages are Japanese, and you use your hands versus needles like acupuncture. Your masseuse will apply pressure, which will instantly relax your body. The goal of a Shiatsu massage is to increase a person’s energy level and well being.
Have you been having trouble sleeping at night? This is a common problem that a lot of people have in common. If you are leery about taking prescription or over the counter sleep aids, there is a solution. Having a massage relaxes you mind, body and spirit, which helps you to fall asleep easier each night.
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!
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.
If you have dry hands or feet, find a good moisturizer and use it for massages. Apply a small dose of moisturizer on your dry skin and take the time to massage the area. Massaging allows the moisturizer to penetrate the skin to its deeper layers, which means you will get better results.
Aromatherapy massage uses scented therapeutic massage oils along with gentle kneading motions. These scented oils add another dimension to the standard massage by incorporating the sense of smell into the massage therapy. Aromatherapy often uses lavender, eucalyptus and chamomile. This type of massage is perfect for people suffering for stress related pain.
It’s time that you put everything together that you’ve just learned to see what you can do. Test out your techniques on someone you love, and their reaction will tell you how well you’re doing. As you continue to learn more, realize that it’s the little things that help make the difference.
