Perhaps due to the increasingly stressful and hectic nature of today’s fast-paced modern lifestyle, massage therapy is more popular than ever before. Learning to give the perfect massage takes time and effort, but if you are willing to study and work hard you can definitely become a great masseuse. This article is filled with massage tips and advice to help you on your way.
When giving a massage, consider using a little bit of oil. Oil helps you to rub your hands over the skin more easily, and it also makes it easier to go deeper with pressure while giving the massage. Almond oil, olive oil and baby oil are all good choices. If you wish, add a little essential oil to make the massage fragrant.
Make sure not to eat before a massage. It’ll leave you bloated and uncomfortable when lying down. Therefore, it is important that your food has ample time to digest before your massage. This can aid in getting a full treatment by letting you assume various positions.
You should try different techniques when giving a massage. Use your hands and fingers to rub, apply pressure or even give gentle taps. Use the tip of your fingers if you need precision, for instance to relax a tense muscle. You could also try covering as much surface as possible by using the palm of your hands to apply pressure.
Relaxation is key to an effective massage. The benefits will be greater if you breathe deeply and let the tension go as you are on the table. Once it begins, use deep breathing to relax.
Pressure points and how you measure the pressure you apply can make a big difference in how successful it is. When muscles are tense, more pressure is needed. The tightness can also be relieved with constant pressure applied to the knot. Deep tissue massage is guided by this basic principle.
If you can, ask the person who you plan on massaging to shave before their massage. This makes the work surface smooth so oil can be more effective. This helps your hands freely flow, helping improve feeling.
Consider massaging your body prior to exercising and immediately afterwards too. Massaging prior to working out helps raise blood flow into all of your muscles. And after a workout, a quick massage helps your muscles recover a lot quicker. It’s definitely worth the extra five minutes before and after exercise!
Communicate with your massage therapist. Your masseuse is most likely not a mind reader, so let them know if an area of your body needs a little extra attention. Whether your shoulders are a mess from being hunched over a desk or your legs are sore from a marathon workout, speak up.
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.
Try using your fists to give a good massage. Gently thump on the area that is painful or tense after warming the muscles with a more gentler techniques. Thumping is excellent for circulation and will cause the entire muscle to relax almost instantly. Avoid using this technique on someone who has to take blood thinners to prevent bruising.
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!
When your massage therapist tells you to drink water, listen! It is easy to become dehydrated quickly after a massage because toxins and fluids are released from your body. Drinking lots of water will help to replenish the fluids you are losing. If you choose to drink caffeine filled sodas or alcohol instead, you will suffer the consequences.
Extend the benefits of your massage by taking things easy for the rest of the day. Allow your mind and body to stay in the relaxed zone by practicing deep breathing throughout the day whenever you feel the tension returning. Plan a low-key, relaxing dinner followed by a warm bath, then get into bed early and curl up for a nice, restorative night of sleep
If you like gentle massages, request a Swedish massage. This type of massage uses long, gentle strokes. It has been described as the most relaxing type of massage available. This massage gently massages the superficial layers of muscle tissue resulting in relaxation and peace of mind. This type of massage is great for those who are new to massage therapy.
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.
As was mentioned at the top of this article, massage therapy is more popular than ever before. Soothing, relaxing massages offer individuals an ideal way to soothe their bodies and spirits. If you are interested in being a great masseuse, you should carefully apply all of the information you’ve learned from this article.
