Massage is a topic of great interest to people of all walks of life. However, in order to thoroughly understand the art of massage, a good deal of education and information is needed. Keep reading to learn some key facts about massage and the many benefits it can offer virtually everyone.
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.
Make the most of your massage by drinking lots of water. Why? Because a good massage gets your circulation going, but water is needed to flush toxins out of your body. Hydrating before your massage makes your blood less sluggish, making it easier for the masseuse to rub excess lactic acid out of your muscles. Staying hydrated after aids your body in processing and eliminating these toxins.
If you want to give a quick massage, consider focusing just on the feet. The feet offer a small area to massage that contains a wealth of benefits. Feet have many nerves and pressure points, and they hold the weight of the entire body throughout the day. Spend fifteen minutes massaging the feet and feel the difference it offers.
Keep your massage area quiet. Reduce external noise to create a peaceful, serene environment. A massage is something that can be very relaxing. If at all possible, you should choose a quiet place for your massage or play relaxing music to drown out negative noises. This will help you maintain a level of relaxation and calm.
The type of oil used in massage therapy is important, so look for ones with healing properties such as olive or almond oils. Oil is better for the skin and scented oils may have other healing benefits as well. Your hands are also much more able to glide over a person’s skin when you use massage oil.
If you want a massage that gets your energy in balance while staying in motion instead of lying on a table, try Thai massage. Your therapist will move you all over the place, running through postures much like yoga. It really gets your energy up and reduces stress while increasing range of motion.
If you’re pregnant, you can still enjoy a massage if it is given by a license therapist. This is a great way to deal with morning sickness, stress, back pain, sore breasts and swollen ankles. You can continue it after birth to deal with postpartum depression, weight loss and baby-carrying pains, too.
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.
Make sure you are comfortable with any massage therapist that you select. You will relax better when you trust and feel comfortable with your masseuse. Talk with the therapist prior to be sure that you feel comfortable.
If you are a woman, don’t swear off men massage therapists. Since most women are modest, they often feel uncomfortable in front of a male massage therapist. However, some women have reported that the best massage they have gotten in a long time is from a male massage therapist. Whatever your decision, don’t just base it on the sex of the massage therapist.
If it’s your first time getting a massage or you’re unsure of which one to get, choose a treatment for deep tissue or Swedish massage. There are tons of alternatives you can chose from, but some can be underwhelming if you really just need to get deep knots worked. These messages will cover most basic needs until you can learn more about other types.
Top athletes understand the importance of a good sports massage. People who like exercising in an amateur sort of way can also benefit. The purpose of these massages is to prevent or heal injuries, not to provide relaxation or relieve stress.
If you’re receiving a massage, you shouldn’t hesitate to talk to your massage therapist. Let your masseuse know what areas you’d like them to focus on. If she is not providing enough intensity to get out those deep knots, you will never get the relief you are seeking without saying something.
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.
Before you put oil on the body, warm it in your hands. Cool oil feels unpleasant on the skin and it is not going to start off the massage correctly. Therefore, you should rub the oil together in your hands for several minutes. Friction will heat up the oil quickly.
A hot stone massage incorporates heated stones and a gentle touch. Smooth stones are heated and placed along the back and other parts of the body to relieve muscle tension. The massage therapist may also gently press the stones into your tense muscles and then gently rub them in a circular motion to help relieve tension.
There is no doubt that countless individuals find massage to be a subject of immense interest. The fact remains, though, that without sufficient knowledge, it can be hard to determine what type of massage offers the right sorts of benefits for a given individual. Hopefully, this article has provided you with the foundation you needed.
