You have come here to learn more about how to give a good massage. There is plenty that goes into this, and you can even go to school for it. However, by the end of this article, you should have a good idea of how to improve your massage techniques and skills.
Massage is great during pregnancy, but wait until after the first trimester. During the first trimester, your baby is in the earliest stages of development. Toxins released during a massage can harm the fetus or inhibit growth during this delicate period. Once you have reached 16 weeks, you should be all clear to enjoy a massage.
After you give a massage to someone, make sure that they take a warm bath. This will help to further the effect of the massage and soothe the muscles even more. After this person takes the bath, they will feel more refreshed and looser then they ever had in their entire life.
If you experience stress or other negative emotions, you should try massaging specific points of your body. Target your nerve endings to get your body to relax. Sensitive nerve endings are located along your spine, the top of your head and in different parts of your face. You should try gently tapping on the top of your head, your forehead, cheeks and chin before taking a deep breath.
When you give someone a massage, use an oil like sweet almond oil or olive oil that has healing properties. If you use a massage oil in place of a lotion it will be better absorbed by the skin. Additionally, olive oil serves as a wonderful lubricant for the body.
If you will be getting a massage to have some stress relieved, go with an aromatherapy massage. Along with a massage, the therapist will use essential oils on your capillaries in order to relax the body. Most of these oils come from flowers, roots, and herbs and are completely safe.
When you are giving a massage, try not to use the same stroke over and over. This can make the whole experience mundane, as you want to incorporate as much change during the session as possible. Alter your technique, the stroke and how hard you press on the back, neck and thighs.
Put your thinking on hold. One of the most difficult, yet essential elements of getting the most out of a massage is relaxing your mental state. Try to start doing some deep breathing while the therapist is setting up. Imagine that, with every inhale, you gather all the nagging and stressful thoughts in your head. On the exhale, envision blowing all of these thoughts out into space, gone forever. Keep repeating until you feel yourself relaxing.
Self-massage is a great way to help with stiffness. Just use your thumbs to massage your muscles. Begin with arms and legs, and work from the bottoms to the tops. A simple self-massage in the morning can increase your circulation, improve your mood and help you prepare for your day. Doing this before bed lets your body reduce stress and calm down for a better night’s sleep.
Ask for lower lights when you get a message. It should be relaxing and lower lights will help the experience. You do not need a totally dark room, but you should aim for nothing brighter than candle light.
If you have a favorite fragrance of massage oil, bring it to your next massage. More than likely, the therapist will be willing to use it. Sometimes they may have a preference for oils of a certain type, but it is definitely worth asking to see if they are willing to use your favorite.
If you cannot find anyone to give you a massage, you should try using massage tools such as head massagers or canes designed to massage your back. These tools are not as efficient as receiving a massage from a professional but they are a good solution if you cannot afford to go get a massage on a daily basis.
When you are giving a person a massage, be sure to always keep one hand on them at all times. This helps the client to feel secure and remain in a relaxed state. Move slowly and steadily with confidence, and the person being massaged will feel comfortable and be able to enjoy the experience.
Sports massage is a tool many athletes use today. People who like exercising in an amateur sort of way can also benefit. Do not expect a sports massage to make your stress disappear; this technique will prevent your muscles from getting injured and will improve your circulation.
Be considerate of your masseuse. Arrive at the massage table freshly washed! Do them a favor and bathe before you show up for your appointment. This will help give your masseuse the respect that they deserve.
Even though there are many wonderful benefits to having a massage, if you have a lot of health problems or an injury you should talk to your doctor first. What you might think is a harmless massage could end up causing a condition to worsen such as a blood clot.
Consider a hot shower after a massage. A hot shower can further relax your muscles, and it gives you an opportunity to stand still and enjoy all the benefits of the massage. The hot water is also very relaxing, lending to the stress free atmosphere you have probably hoped to create.
If you are on the giving end of a very beneficial massage, make sure to read the signs the recipient is showing. During a deep-tissue massage, the body responds to pressure and muscles will actually contract under your finger-tips. Ease up on the pressure when you approach bones and joints and be guided by the response you get!
How do you feel now? Do you think you could give a better massage? It’s time to put these tips and tricks to the test as you see what you can do. You are going to be pleasantly surprised at how much they work and how much the people you love will enjoy them.
