There is something to be said about massage, the joy it brings to the recipient. Would you like to be a better masseuse? Would you like to receive a better massage? All it takes is a little knowledge about massage to truly make the activity more enjoyable for everyone involved.
Hydrate yourself well for forty-eight hours before your massage. Many people know that heavy water intake after a massage is good for flushing the body of toxins and helping with sore muscles. Drinking plenty of water before the massage will greatly increase the impact of the massage and its purging abilities.
When giving a massage, make sure that you use the right amount of pressure. It is a delicate balance between using too much pressure and not enough. Take some time to practice. Ask the person you are giving the massage to if you are using too much or too little. Their feedback should dictate the amount of pressure you use.
Olive oil is a great ingredient to use when you are massaging. Oil works much better than lotion for a massage and you will require far less of it. Additionally, olive oil serves as a wonderful lubricant for the body.
Make sure that your massage therapist is registered in your state. If your massage therapist is not properly registered and insured, then you are at risk of being left to fend for yourself if they were to cause injury to you during their work. Do not worry about being rude, ask for proof so that you can be confident that you are in responsible hands.
A popular back massage you can try out on someone is called a “Raking Massage”. With this technique, you spread your fingers apart and use your tips to give the massage. Begin in the shoulder area and work your way down the back using a raking motion. Then, you move your fingers down the spine without actually touching it. Move one hand down as the other hand moves up.
Bear hugs are great to relive tension in your shoulders. You can fold your arms in an x across your chest. Put one hand on each shoulder and rub. This should help you relieve tension and go on with your day without feeling stressed.
After receiving a great deep tissue massage, remember to drink a lot of water. Deep tissue massages release toxins from the muscles, and water helps to clear those toxins from your body. By drinking several glasses, you will keep your body hydrated and avoid feeling lethargic after your massage.
Before you give a massage, stretch all of the areas that you are planning to use. This means that you will need to stretch your fingers, arms, neck, back and legs so that you can reduce cramps during your massage and get all areas involved. If you are providing a long massage session, stretching is imperative.
Try using your fists to give a good massage. Gently thump on the area that is painful or tense after warming the muscles with a more gentler techniques. Thumping is excellent for circulation and will cause the entire muscle to relax almost instantly. Avoid using this technique on someone who has to take blood thinners to prevent bruising.
If you enjoy working out, you should try massaging your muscles before and after exercising. You should pummel your muscles with your fists to improve your circulation before working out and massage your muscles more gently after working out to speed up the recovery process. Make sure you stretch after massaging.
If you are battling cancer it can really take a toll on your body. You are probably feeling a little depressed, some anxiety, fatigue and nausea from the treatments and the diagnosis in general. Having a massage has been proven to help fight off all of these symptoms, which can help you to fight even that much harder to beat it.
Do not forget to tip your massage therapist. Many therapists work mostly for tips and only receive a small percentage of the price you pay for the massage. They will appreciate a good tip, and it will be remembered the next time you return. A fair tip is typically fifteen to twenty percent.
Massaging your muscles and other tissue after exercise will improve blood flow and help your body recover more quickly. You can rub your arms and legs to get your blood flowing. Massaging your muscles in an upward motion towards your heart after a workout can really help to heal your body faster.
Avoid eating before a massage. You want at least 90 minutes between your last meal and your massage. However, more time is better. Allow your body to digest its meal so you can fully relax and get all the benefits of your massage. As a bonus you will be spared embarrassing stomach gurgling noises during your session.
If you are getting a massage and you do not feel comfortable or suddenly feel like you are in pain, do not be afraid to end it. You are the paying customer whose pleasure should be the number one concern, so if you feel discomfort at any time, you have the right to conclude your session.
Make sure you speak up if your massage is too hard or too soft for your liking. This is a service that you are paying quite a bit for, so if your masseuse is applying too much or too little pressure, let them know so they can adjust their pressure accordingly.
These tips and tricks have been gathered here to ensure you can love the massages in your life. Anyone who gives or gets a massage needs this knowledge so that the massage itself can be much better. Thanks to reading this article, you’ve been equipped with the advice necessary for great massages.
