A massage can be a wonderful way to soothe aching muscles and joints, as any doctor will tell you! If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of getting a massage or the possibilities in giving them, read on. This article is filled with expert tips and advice.
If you decide to get a massage in the comfort of your own home, take a hot shower first. The hot water will help relax your muscles through the penetrating heat. This will ensure that your massage is more comfortable and any aches or pains are eliminated before the start.
Only disrobe to your comfort level. For many people, undressing for a massage is not a big deal. This is not the case with some and they often find themselves feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious during the massage. This will reduce the effect of the massage. Avoid this by only taking off the clothing you are comfortable with.
If you’ve got lots of stretch marks, you more than likely have battled to get them to disappear. If you massage these areas with cocoa butter each day, you can get those stretch marks to go away. This will help collagen reformation in your body and improve how your skin looks.
If you have problems with tension headaches and medication is not doing the trick, consider massage. Massage helps to relax the body, and it can target specific pressure points that offer benefits. Enjoying a massage once a week might be all you need to get rid of your headaches and keep them away.
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.
If a person wants a deeper massage, be careful on how much oil, you use. Yes, oil feels great on a person’s back and causes less friction, but the latter is the problem for deeper tissue massage. Without that friction, you won’t be able to offer a deep massage, as your hands will constantly slide. Minimize this issue by using just enough oil for the massage to be comfortable, but not so much that you lose all friction.
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.
If you want a massage that gets your energy in balance while staying in motion instead of lying on a table, try Thai massage. Your therapist will move you all over the place, running through postures much like yoga. It really gets your energy up and reduces stress while increasing range of motion.
Before you give a massage, stretch all of the areas that you are planning to use. This means that you will need to stretch your fingers, arms, neck, back and legs so that you can reduce cramps during your massage and get all areas involved. If you are providing a long massage session, stretching is imperative.
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!
Be on time, or a little early. Besides being good etiquette, being punctual can actually help your massage be effective. When you are running late, you are usually in a frenzied state, increasing stress levels and putting your body on edge. In a massage, this means it will take you longer to unwind and you may not get all of the benefits of a relaxing rub down.
When you give a massage, try to ensure that your hands follow the body’s contours closely. You should be sure your palm and fingers get plenty of work. If you’re around areas that are bony, you should utilize your palm more to stay away from causing pain. When the area you are working becomes slightly more curved, utilize the tips of your fingers for precision.
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 go for your massage, you are paying good money for a relaxing experience. Do not ruin your massage by not using the restroom before you begin. The best massages are continuous from 45 minutes to an hour. If you have to take a break in the middle of the massage for a restroom break, you are not going to be fully relaxed at the end of your session.
Massages can be a very valuable asset to your well-being. Nearly everyone who gets one enjoys immediate relief from soreness, tension and stress. Hopefully this article has answered all the questions you have about giving or getting a massage. Why not use this information to improve your health and wellness, right away?
