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.
One great massage technique that you can do for your partner is called raking. Raking means that you spread your hands out, and using your fingertips, you rake up one side of the back right by the spine while you rake downward on the other side with your other hand.
Discuss your needs with your therapist. Some people may feel a little uncomfortable at the prospect of getting a massage because they feel out of control. Tell the massage therapist about any sore areas, such as your back, knees or neck, so that they can avoid them or treat them accordingly. And don’t forget to let them know of your preferences for things like background music, room lighting and temperature. The whole point is for you to be able to relax, so make sure the conditions suit you.
Loud noise is an absolute no-no near the locale of your massage. If there are loud noises around you that are disturbing, it surely will be difficult to relax enough to enjoy the massage you are receiving. The whole point of a message is to be ad relaxing as possible. That’s why it’s important to select the right venue at the right time for the best results. When you take the time to choose your location carefully, you will reap greater rewards.
It is of the utmost importance that you are relaxed while receiving a massage. When lying face down on the massage table try to breathe deeply; this will help to relieve tension. Maintain your relaxed state throughout the massage by taking a few deep breaths as the session continues.
A foot massage can be used for more than tired, achy feet. You can search online and find foot maps that show which area of the foot can be massaged to experience relief from a myriad of symptoms throughout your body. For example, pressing on the big toe is known to relieve sinus pain and pressure.
Many athletes know about a sports massage. Sports massage isn’t limited to athletes; they can be beneficial to anyone who participates in sports or exercises often. The purpose of these massages is to prevent or heal injuries, not to provide relaxation or relieve stress.
Recover slowly after enjoying a massage. Hold off on immediately jumping up from the table as soon as the masseuse leaves the room. Take a moment to luxuriate in the warm, relaxed feel of your body. Open your eyes, take in your surroundings, and then slowly sit up on the edge of the table. Rest a moment before standing.
You can give yourself a hand massage by using a pencil with an eraser. Use the pencil eraser to press into the fleshy areas of your hand, paying particular attention to the thumb pad. Move the eraser in a circular motion around your hand maximizing the pressure if it is necessary.
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.
When obtaining a massage, you should not be afraid to speak up. Inform them immediately of any nagging injuries or other issues they need to know about before beginning the massage. Feel free to say something if you feel discomfort. After all, it should be relaxing.
You do not have to remove your clothing for a massage. Many people feel uncomfortable being completely undressed, so don’t be afraid to keep some clothing on if it makes you more relaxed. Your masseuse will not be offended. The goal of a massage is to relax, so stressing about clothing is counter-productive.
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.
Always warm the massage oil with your hands before applying it on the patient’s skin. Cool oil feels unpleasant on the skin and it is not going to start off the massage correctly. Therefore, you should rub the oil together in your hands for several minutes. Friction heats the surface of your palms and the oil along with it for a perfect body temperature.
Use massage to increase the blood flow before you do exercises. Prior to exercise, use your hands in a pommeling motion so that blood starts to flow in your arms and legs. When you’re finished with exercise, rub muscles with a fist or your palm, in a direction that goes toward the heart.
If you are unsure of which massage therapist to see in your area, ask your family members and coworkers. Referrals are crucial. While they don’t ensure that you will get a great therapist, they do increase your odds tremendously. After you get a few names, do your own research to see which person you think best fits your needs.
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.
