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.
Pregnancy can be especially hard on your body over the course of nine months. Carrying the extra weight from the baby can lead to aches and pains in places that you never knew existed. Treating yourself to full body prenatal massages can be just the thing to get you feeling more like yourself again.
Massages once or twice per week are a great idea. Massages have been found to help improve your health in certain ways. Massage is very relaxing, so it is understandable that it reduces stress. Therefore, aim to obtain a massage a minimum of two or three times on a weekly basis.
Make sure the person you give a massage to is comfortably installed. Ideally, you should use a massage table or at least a comfortable mat. If you do not have this equipment, have the person lay down on a comfortable couch or a supportive mattress. Make sure their head is properly supported.
If a person wants a deeper massage, be careful on how much oil, you use. Yes, oil feels great on a person’s back and causes less friction, but the latter is the problem for deeper tissue massage. Without that friction, you won’t be able to offer a deep massage, as your hands will constantly slide. Minimize this issue by using just enough oil for the massage to be comfortable, but not so much that you lose all friction.
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.
Lubrication is important when giving a massage. The best lubricants will allow your hands to glide across the body. Oils work well as do many lotions. Try out a few different kinds and see which works best. You want a lotion that will not require reapplication causing breaks during the massage.
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.
When massaging someone, open your fingers up so that you can be more precise with the area that you massage. This helps to loosen up the muscles and is also a great technique if you are planning on giving a deep tissue massage. After you massage this way, close your hands back up and use your palms.
Try not to exceed 45 minutes when you are giving a massage. Remember that you are pressing down on someone’s body for a long period of time when you are massaging. Therefore, if you do it for too long you can actually cause bruising and pain, which you will want to avoid.
Extend the benefits of your massage by taking things easy for the rest of the day. Allow your mind and body to stay in the relaxed zone by practicing deep breathing throughout the day whenever you feel the tension returning. Plan a low-key, relaxing dinner followed by a warm bath, then get into bed early and curl up for a nice, restorative night of sleep
When you are giving a massage, one of the key points to focus on is constant movement. You should never stop abruptly, as this will ruin the flow of the massage. You can slow down and speed up while you rub your hands up and down the back and legs, but never come to a complete stop.
When getting a massage, your actions will help you enjoy the massage more and receive maximum benefits from it. Practice deep breathing exercises while you are getting your massage. Breathe out when pressure is applied and breathe in when pressure is released. This will have an immeasurable impact on the relaxation of your massage.
If you don’t have tons of money, you may still receive a massage. Go to a nearby massage therapy school to find out when they hold their clinic. During the clinic, you can receive a massage for a low price.
Rub your feet from heel to toe to stimulate blood flow. Use the heel of your hand and press hard. Keep going between toes with fingers and your thumb. Then, massage the top of the foot from your toes to your ankle. Once you address all areas of the foot, go back and try a deeper massage.
Communicate all of the allergies that you have to your massage therapist. It is vital that no creams or lotions are used that you are allergic to, as this could cause major issues. If you are allergic to the products that are used, you can bring a product prescribed by your doctor to incorporate into the massage.
If you are uncomfortable with the whole idea of massage therapy, go with a friend to the spa. This will make you feel much more comfortable, as you are with someone you know and not alone. You can even go into the massage room or sign up for a duel massage with this person.
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.
