Massage has been around for thousands of years and has long been a great way for people to de-stress and to increase their circulation. If you are interested in this relaxing activity, this article is going to give you some great massage tips. That way, you can relax that much more with massage!
Hire only massage therapists who are professionally licensed. A therapist who is licensed can understand better what exactly you need. When you hire someone like that, you are guaranteed professional behavior and technique that has been endorsed by the licensing board they have been licensed by.
Try to limit all background noise when you are giving your massage, as the environment should be as quiet and calm as possible at all times. You will want the person you are massaging to relax their muscles so that your massage technique will work, as a quiet atmosphere helps to facilitate this.
The speed of your hands is important for the kind of massage you are trying to give. If you are looking for a massage to relax your partner, go for slow strokes. If you are looking to work out tired muscles that have been over exerted, faster strokes work better.
If you are suffering from back pain and traditional back massages are not alleviating the pain, try a hand massage. Firmly press into the meaty area between your thumb and index finger and gently massage. This type of massage is especially effective for muscle spasms and pulled back muscles.
If you need help with stress or pain, you should get a massage from a professional. Asking someone you know to give you a massage can be helpful but keep in mind that a trained professional will be able to use technique your friend or relative does not know about.
Massage has been found to help people who suffer from mental disorders, not just physical conditions. Having a massage not only relaxes the body, but the mind as well. This can really help to reduce anxiety and depression in people who suffer from these conditions. Regular massages can really help your mental well-being.
When you decide to go and get a massage, let your massage therapist know where you’re having the most problems. After all, the purpose of getting a massage is treating your problem areas and relaxing. Your therapist probably cannot read your mind, so before starting a massage always tell them your problem areas.
There is no real dress code when you decide to go out and get a massage. If you are concerned about dressing appropriate, speak with the spa or your message therapist beforehand. By addressing clothing concerns, you can ensure that you won’t feel embarrassed or uncomfortable during your massage. If there is an area you also don’t want massaged like your behind, tell the therapist before starting.
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!
Be on time, or a little early. Besides being good etiquette, being punctual can actually help your massage be effective. When you are running late, you are usually in a frenzied state, increasing stress levels and putting your body on edge. In a massage, this means it will take you longer to unwind and you may not get all of the benefits of a relaxing rub down.
An excellent way to give a great back massage is using the “raking” technique. This involves using the tips of your fingers. Make sure that you spread your fingers apart. Begin your massage at the shoulders and slowly move your hands down the other person’s back. Your fingers should move alongside the person’s spine; however, you should not actually touch the spine. While one hand is going down one side, have your other hand go up in an alternating motion.
If you are on tons of prescription medication, then you need to consider getting massages. Massage therapy is great for healing injuries and common ailments. Ask your insurance company if they will reimburse if massages are medically required, they may be covered.
Before and after you exercise, you should give your body a good massage. Before you exercise, use your fists in a pummeling motion to stimulate blood flow to your arms and legs. After you exercise, rub your muscles with your fist or palm. Move along your heart’s direction. This helps to speed up your recovery and aids in waste removal.
Drink plenty of water before and after your massage. Drinking before your massage session ensures that your muscles are well-hydrated and supple, making the massage more effective. Water after your massage will flush out the toxins that were released and can even help prevent soreness by hastening muscle recovery time.
You do not need tons of money to receive a massage. Go to a local massage school and see when they’ve got their clinic. This is when you get massages at much lower prices.
Massage is a great alternative or addition to the healing process. Sometimes massages can replace medications or work with them, depending on the severity of the injury. Getting a massage is a much better and healthier option than taking medication.
Now that you have read this article, you have new knowledge about how to incorporate massage in your life. When you get a chance, use the tips here to help you really get into the wonderful state that massage can provide for you. Keep learning so that you find out even more about this wonderful activity.
