The back is a sensitive region and the slightest bit of damage can leave you suffering for years to come. Preventative measures are the best cure for pains and ailments with a good massage being the best solution. Finding the right place to get this massage and knowing exactly how to target the problem areas helps the healing proceed smoothly. Read the tips given below and you’ll be able to locate and communicate with the best masseuse in your area.
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 notice knots in the back while you are giving a massage, you can kneed them out with some pressure from your fists. Simply get your fists into a ball and work them over the knotted spot for a few minutes. Apply more pressure if the knots are deeper, as long as the recipient remains comfortable.
Schedule your massages smartly. If you usually get sleepy after a massage, you should avoid getting one before you have to go to work. However, if massages help you get some energy, do not hesitate to schedule a massage before you have to go through a stressful day at work.
Help the massage therapist by relaxing your body. Avoid trying to “help” by tensing certain muscles or areas. The massage therapist is well-educated in various ways to maneuver your body parts to achieve the best results from massage, but their work is hindered if you can’t relax. Try doing some deep breathing and practice just letting go and trusting the therapist to do a great job.
Applying pressure to trigger points is known as neuromuscular therapy. Trigger points are irritated areas of muscle that feel like knots or lumps. These areas can be painful and also transfer the pain to other areas of your body. The pressure put on these areas relaxes the muscles which relieves the pain.
The feet are an often overlooked area that needs to be massaged. There are many pressure points in the feet that can relax the body as a whole and give the entire body a sense of well being. Focus on one foot at a time and use as much pressure as your partner will allow.
Try to save conversation for after the massage. You may love chatting with your massage therapist, but talking during the massage prevents you from ever relaxing fully. In fact, it may actually cause some muscles to tense up, making your therapist’s job even more difficult. Do speak up about your needs, however — if the room’s too cold, the music is too loud, or any other factor that prevents you from sinking deep into relaxation.
Be vocal with your massage therapist.Talking may be the last thing you really want to do during a massage, but it can be the difference between an ok experience and a great one. You need to let the therapist know what areas need work and what techniques work best.
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.
Massaging your belly can help with a sore stomach or poor indigestion. If you just had a large meal, place both hands on your abdomen and rub it clockwise. This will help your stomach digest food. Be gentle and avoid putting pressure on your belly until you’ve finished digesting your food.
Talk to your massage therapist about your health issues before the massage. This is especially true if you are pregnant. The more your therapist knows about your body, the more he or she will be able to make a plan for the most effective treatment. This information helps your massage therapist concentrate on any problems you may be having.
Aromatherapy massage uses scented therapeutic massage oils along with gentle kneading motions. These scented oils add another dimension to the standard massage by incorporating the sense of smell into the massage therapy. Aromatherapy often uses lavender, eucalyptus and chamomile. This type of massage is perfect for people suffering for stress related pain.
You should take the time to learn more about the human body, especially its muscles and nerves. You will be able to give better massages once you know where sensitive nerve endings are located and have a better idea of where muscles are. You will also understand the pains you experience a lot better once you know more about your body.
Finding a great massage parlor can be difficult with all of the slummy, low-quality parlors available in most large towns. These tips provide a good set of guidelines for reducing the number of candidates to personally consider. With a smaller list of potential masseuses, you can personally visit each business and make a commitment based on experience.
