If you have had a wonderful massage in the past, you know how great it feels. But, it is not always that simple to receive the best massage possible. Not knowing enough about massages sometimes keeps people from getting them. Learn everything there is to know about getting a massage by reading this article.
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.
Do not eat too heavy of a meal if you are going to a massage within the hour. If you overeat, your full stomach could end up making you uncomfortable during the massage and end up tainting the entire thing. Just eat something like a salad, just enough to not be hungry.
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.
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.
You can do simple self-massages to iron out kinks. Just use your thumbs to massage your muscles. Begin at your arms and legs, and slowly move up your body. When you do this massage upon awakening, you’ll be ready for the day. When you do it at bedtime, you’ll relax.
If you are giving a massage, aim to use slower movements in order to give your subject a calming, soothing experience. Provide support to the thumbs with the other fingers when you utilize your thumbs to create pressure. In addition, use your weight to prevent getting tired.
You should do a belly massage following every meal. Using one or both palms, start rubbing your abdominal area using clockwise circular motions. The clockwise motion is the same direction that your food digests naturally in your intestines. This can help with digestion and prevent gas and intestinal discomfort.
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.
You need to clean your feet before getting a good full body massage. 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. Thoroughly cleaning them right before the massage will do you good.
Recover slowly after enjoying a massage. Hold off on immediately jumping up from the table as soon as the masseuse leaves the room. Take a moment to luxuriate in the warm, relaxed feel of your body. Open your eyes, take in your surroundings, and then slowly sit up on the edge of the table. Rest a moment before standing.
Prior to getting a massage, inform your massage therapist of all the problem areas you have. If you don’t you may end up wasting half of your massage time on areas that need a lot less work to feel good! This communication will give your therapist a plan of action for the limited time there is available.
When you plan to book an appointment for a massage, call up a few local spas and ask them what they have to offer. You may find that they provide a massage style which you’d like to try out, or that they don’t offer the old standby you’d prefer to use.
Eat some food about 30 minutes prior to a massage, but don’t eat too much! You don’t want to feel bloated for the experience. You want just enough food that you feel relaxed. If you go in hungry, you’ll be that much more stressed for the entire time period of the massage.
When giving a massage, remember to relax yourself. If you are holding a lot of tension, it will be more difficult to maneuver your hands in a way that provides a great massage. The tension will also show through in your attention to each area of the body and the overall feel of the room.
Prenatal massages can be good for not only you, but your baby too. This can help increase the blood flow that goes to your baby, and can relax you. Studies have shown that prenatal massage helps new babies thrive and grow.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to spend a lot of money to get a good massage. Meanwhile, it is human nature to choose well known spas, a smaller center or a massage school can offer the same services. Sometimes lesser known places offer better massages than their more expensive counterparts, for half the price.
You may already know that it is customary to tip your masseuse. If you are new to this, tipping 15% to 20% is customary. The only time you shouldn’t think about tipping is if you are getting physical therapy treatments at a medical facility. Never hand your masseuse a wad of cash, leave it at the front desk with the clerk.
A great massage is in reach. Apply what you have learned here to improve your health and well-being. You can teach someone else your new massage skills so that you get to experience it as well.
