Massage has long been something that millions of people have enjoyed and millions more have wanted to learn more about. Given the voluminous information available on the topic, it can be difficult to sort the good material from the bad. Fortunately, by reading the article that follows, you can gain a proper understanding of some of the most important elements of massage.
An easy way to give a relaxing massage is by using a technique called “raking”. In it, you just run your fingertips (spread hands) down the person’s back, gently moving back and forth. Really, you’re doing a raking motion up and down. For added effect, try alternating your hands – one rakes up while the other rakes down.
When using massage oil, before putting it on a person’s back, place it into your hands first. If you place the oil directly onto your partner, the oil may be surprisingly cold and startle the person. That’s not the kind of reaction you want from a massage. Instead place the oil first in your hands and warm the oil up by rubbing your hands together. This will make the oil the perfect temperature to use.
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.
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.
The legs are very important when giving a massage. Many of the largest muscles in the body are in the legs, and these are often the most used. Be responsive to your partner when massaging their legs and try to encompass the entire muscle group. Start up high around the butt and work your way down to the ankles.
Consider getting a massage in either just your underwear or naked. Skin to skin contact is important during any massage, and this can only be accomplished if you remove your clothes. You can always use a blanket to cover up if you are concerned about modesty or staying warm during the process.
This may be something you already know, but make sure you tip your massage therapist generously. It is not only the kind thing to do, but also earns the respect of your therapist if you plan on returning. Always show up on time for your massage because it not only shows you are serious, but you won’t cut into someone else’s massage time.
Incredibly, there is a type of massage everyone can do after eating their meal. It involves putting both of your palms on the abdomen and moving them in a circular motion. It is a great way to enhance and promote digestion by improving the way food travels through the intestines.
Before and after you exercise, you should give your body a good massage. Before you exercise, use your fists in a pummeling motion to stimulate blood flow to your arms and legs. After you exercise, rub your muscles with your fist or palm. Move along your heart’s direction. This helps to speed up your recovery and aids in waste removal.
Before your massage, make sure that your hands are not cold. Cold hands will cause the person getting the massage to get tense, and you’ll have a harder time getting them to relax. One smart way to get your hands ready is to put a pea-sized amount of massage lotion on your hands and rub them together.
Drink water following a massage. This will help to flush the toxins out of your system faster. Don’t replace water with soda or any other drink when it comes to giving your body what it needs to do this. Only water can replenish your body with what it needs following a massage.
Try not to look at massage therapy as a one and done thing, especially if you have chronic pain. Massaging has a lot of great benefits over the long haul, through multiple sessions. Schedule a few of them over the course of the month and evaluate the results after several sessions and not just one.
Ask about deep tissue massage for hurt, sore muscles. This kind of a massage is used by therapists to get the tension out of the deep muscles. This technique is great if you have serious injuries that need help. If the massage is too rough for your tastes, speak up.
If you are suffering from high blood pressure or other such illnesses, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor before receiving a massage. Sometimes, medical experts will suggest avoiding massage while on some medications or during some therapies. At other times, they might suggest a modified massage. Listening to the experts can help you to stay healthy and enjoy the benefits massage has to offer.
It’s a good idea to add massage to any course of treatment. Massage is great therapy for relaxation and general improvement of health. It has been proven that regular massage can help children with asthma regulate and train their breathing patterns. Additionally, massage can help reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels in the blood stream.
The art of massage is a complex topic, but also one of great interest to many. The key to acquiring a good understanding of what massage has the capacity to do for countless individuals is getting your hands on the right information. The article above should serve as a useful reference as you continue your quest for greater understanding of the subject of massage.
