There isn’t a person alive who could not benefit from some relaxation. With the stress of everyday life, it’s sometimes hard to find the time to relax. If this describes you, then a massage is what you need. This article is packed with useful tips that will help you to find the perfect massage.
Try giving yourself or someone a foot massage. Focusing on the soles first can really relax a person. Start stroking the soles of the foot going back and forth in straight lines. Do these motions starting from the heel to the bases of the toes. After the soles have been properly massaged, you can move on to the toes and the top and middle of the foot.
If you experience stress or other negative emotions, you should try massaging specific points of your body. Target your nerve endings to get your body to relax. Sensitive nerve endings are located along your spine, the top of your head and in different parts of your face. You should try gently tapping on the top of your head, your forehead, cheeks and chin before taking a deep breath.
If you tend to have a lot of tension in your muscles, but you don’t like a rigorous massage, hot stone massage might be your best choice. The stones, which are smooth, are made warm and then placed onto specific areas of the body. This warms the muscles and tissues, releasing tension and pent-up energy.
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!
Don’t swear off using a massage therapist of the opposite sex. You may initially be weird about it, but get over it! Men may have the height and strength you need to work out the kinks from a really bad back, and women may have the relaxed touch you need to de-stress. Be open to whoever may best fit your current need.
If you are pregnant and getting a massage, avoid massage tables which have holes in them. This will ensure yours and the baby’s comfort and prevent the stress to your lower back. Also, make sure you use plenty of pillows as additional padding in order to feel more comfortable and secure.
Show up on time for your massage. True, massages are meant to be relaxing. But don’t impose on the massage therapist’s time or that of the next person’s appointment. Most therapists are booked all day long and cannot afford to keep you for a few additional minutes and make the next patient wait.
Find a cream with a minty scent you can use for massages. Your minty cream will soften your skin and will give you the impression of feeling fresh and relaxed. Whenever possible, buy high quality products that keep the skin moisturized always.
Prenatal massages can be beneficial for pregnant moms. This will increase circulation so that your baby can stay healthy. Massaged women often find that their babies grow quicker than other pregnant women.
If you are giving a deep tissue massage, incorporate your elbows into it. This may feel uncomfortable at first for the person you are massaging, but is a fantastic way of spreading out the muscle and causing a very pleasurable sensation. Never push too hard though, as this will then feel uncomfortable.
Be sure to give massages in a relaxed environment. It is critical that you release their tension and relax them. A loud environment is not going to help your partner relax. Anywhere you could sleep is a good place to do it. Use quiet music and turn down the lights to achieve that serene effect.
Do not hesitate to apply pressure and even thump on the tense muscles you are massaging. Start gently, asking to make sure that you aren’t pressing too hard. By carefully targeting the muscle, adding pressure will help relieve the tense muscles. Don’t use these techniques when you’re near the spine or close to an articulation.
If you are unsure of which massage therapist to go to, try calling the practice and speaking to them. Discuss things like their education and how long they have been working. You can also question them to see if your needs fall into their particular specialization. You should get a good feeling for what the therapist is like just by asking a few simple questions.
If you feel dizzy or odd in any way, make sure that you sit down and take a breather. Sometimes, the amount of blood flow and circulation after a massage is much higher than usual, which could cause your mind to blackout for a second. Take your time and relax until you feel like you are back to normal.
If you have cancer, you should avoid vigorous, firm massages. Massages increase the lymphatic circulation, and cancer is able to spread via the lymphatic system. Therefore, a massage may further spread the cancer. A light, caring touch is okay but a massage with circulating strokes is usually not recommended.
You now know how to go about getting a great massage for the relaxation you want and need. The great info shared here will help you when you go to get a massage. Before you know it, you will be able to either give or get a great massage, depending on what you prefer.
