Giving and/or receiving a massage is not an easy thing to do. Different techniques apply based on the type of massage being given. In this article, we will share tips to help both professionals and amateurs in the field of massage. You will become a better masseuse once you learn more about massage therapy.
Change your mindset about massage. Instead of thinking of it as a luxury, think of massage as a therapeutic approach to health. Research shows that massage can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as lessening asthma symptoms in children. Additionally, those tension headaches are no match for the hands of a skilled massage therapist.
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.
If you’re getting a full body massage, make sure the masseuse uses a massage oil. These oils are a must if they plan on digging deep into your ligaments and muscles without causing discomfort. These oils make their hands slippery, which helps reduce friction and lowers the chances of getting skin burns.
When giving a massage, it is very important that you use oil or lotion. Massage oils can increase the movements of the soft tissue. Using oil will minimize the pinching and tugging feel on the skin. Massage oils come in all different varieties. They include aromatherapy and provide lubrication and nutrients.
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.
Pressure points and how you measure the pressure you apply can make a big difference in how successful it is. If there are many knots, slow pressure can help get rid of the tension. Consistent pressure is helpful to relieving tension as well. This tactic is common in deep-tissue massages.
When it comes to injuries, old or new, deep tissue massage is an excellent choice for healing. Deep tissue therapy includes slow motions that cause friction against the grain of the muscle. This helps with tightness, posture, and often-injured muscles.
Avoid holding your breath while your massage therapist is working. You may have knots that are extremely painful, yet the therapist cannot massage them out effectively if you hold your breath. Try to breathe through the muscle pain, and use a combination of deep breathing and visualization. In your mind, picture the area and imagine the knot is a lump of butter, melting in the warm sunshine.
Prior to having your full body massage, make sure your feet are clean. There are all kinds of bacteria that live on your feet; therefore, your massage therapist can easily spread them whenever he or she is giving you the massage. You’ll be glad you cleaned your feet once the massage is over.
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.
If you are getting a full body massage, always ask to take a shower or at least wash your feet prior to beginning the massage. You can hold a lot of dirt and bacteria on places like your feet and hands, and you do not want your massage therapist massaging those areas first and then placing their hands on your face for further massage.
It is important to communicate with your massage therapist during the the massage. If there is an area you want your therapist to focus heavily on, let her know. If you feel like the massage is too rough, or not deep enough, say something.
There is a helpful massage that helps to relieve sinus pressure and congestion. To do this massage, begin by placing your fingers right above your nose and pressing down. Be sure you are rubbing outward. Next, put your fingers under your eyes, moving down and rubbing out. Massage the cheekbones with your thumbs and then put your thumbs on your temples, moving in small circles.
Remember that massage therapists are professionals and that you must be open and honest with them. Tell them about any injuries or problem areas prior to your massage. If something isn’t feeling right, let them know. It is supposed to be relaxing, after all.
A great massage to help relax your feet and loosen the joints is by doing ankle rotations. With one hand beneath your heel, grab your foot’s ball with your other hand. After this, turn the foot about 4 times both ways by rotating near the ankle area.
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!
Massage therapy is a fairly complicated topic. Understanding the right way to give a massage is key to ensuring that the experience is enjoyed by all. Rather than learning simply by trial and error, talk what you have learned here and move forward with confidence.
