If you decide to give or better yet, get a massage, you know that there is a lot of thought and technique in the process. You can never know everything there is to know about massages. The following article will equip you with the tips you need for a massage experience you won’t regret.
Use a warm oil when giving someone a massage. The oil will make it easier for your to move your hands across the other person’s skin and the warmth of the oil will be soothing for the person who is receiving the message. Be careful, however, to not overheat the oil, as you can cause burns.
Change your mindset about massage. Instead of thinking of it as a luxury, think of massage as a therapeutic approach to health. Research shows that massage can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as lessening asthma symptoms in children. Additionally, those tension headaches are no match for the hands of a skilled massage therapist.
When giving a massage, ensure you use your thumbs. You have a lot of strength in your thumbs and can use these fingers to really dig into the deeper tissues. Don’t overdo it, though, as you could hurt the recipient.
Do not eat right before your massage session. You can easily feel uncomfortable and bloated, which may make lying down in a full body massage hard. Make sure that any food you have eaten has been digested. Then you’ll be able to truly relax.
Feeling a little blue? Go get a massage! The health benefits of massage are numerous, and studies have shown that one of the benefits of massage is elevated serotonin. Serotonin is a neurochemical that makes us feel happy, yet lack of sleep, hormone fluctuations, gloomy weather and poor diets can lower your body’s natural serotonin stores.
Make sure the person you give a massage to is comfortably installed. Ideally, you should use a massage table or at least a comfortable mat. If you do not have this equipment, have the person lay down on a comfortable couch or a supportive mattress. Make sure their head is properly supported.
Ease your aching feet! Your feet are under pressure all day long and are often ignored when it comes to a healing massage. Massage your toes, gently stretching them out until they feel relaxed. Use your thumbs to put pressure on the sole of your foot, slowly moving from the toes to the heel. For feet that are particularly achy you can apply more pressure by kneading the sole with your knuckles. Finally, treat your tired feet with a rich moisturizer.
Massages are not only good for therapy, but they can also help you to relax. Massages can benefit children with asthma, breaking up the tension in muscles and the neck. In order to obtain the maximum enjoyment from a massage, make sure you are completely relaxed when getting one.
You might want to ask the one you are giving the massage to shave at least three days prior. This helps provide a smooth surface, specifically if you’re using oil. Your hands will be able to easily glide during the massage.
Let your massage therapist know if anything begins to hurt too much. Some massage techniques can cause some discomfort, so you need to be aware of that. Ask the therapist to ease up in certain areas if you find that you are beginning to tense up because something is too painful.
Digestion is easier when you give your tummy a massage. When you massage your abdomen, use both hands and rub in a clockwise direction. This can assist in the digestion process. Just apply pressure gently until you feel better.
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.
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.
Those who suffer from diabetes can really benefit from having a massage. Diabetics tend to have a problem with circulation and blood flow in their feet, lower legs and hands. This is because they are the furthest away from the heart. Massaging the upper arms and legs can really help to get the blood flowing and circulating much better.
It is important to speak up as to what you like and don’t like during your massage. Every therapist is different with their techniques and pressure, but can not read your mind so you have to communicate with them. Get what you want, since you’re paying for it.
Don’t forget to tip your masseuse. They work in service and therefore are meant to be tipped. Try to tip somewhere around 20 percent depending on the service you received.
Do not use harsh lighting in the room in which you will give a massage. The harsh lighting puts stress on the eyes, causing the body to become tense. Use lighting that is soft and dim so they feel comfortable to the eyes. The whole point of massage is relaxation, and soft lighting will help you achieve that.
As you can see, there are plenty of ways to give and get a massage. However, the quality of your experience depends on you as well as the masseur. Instead of spending money and throwing it into the unknown, use the tips from this article that were developed with you in mind.
