A serious accident or life with poor posture will result in serious back-pains that may seem impossible to overcome. When modern medicine isn’t enough to remove the suffering, classic massage therapy can do the trick. The important thing to remember is that you must find a professional masseuse that upholds certain qualities which will be covered in the tips below.
If you are an athlete or have excessively hard workouts then having massages regularly is a good idea. Massages can loosen your muscles up before a game or exercise to help them from becoming injured. It can also help after strenuous exercise to help heal your muscles and keep them from stiffening up or becoming painful.
When your feet hurt, you hurt all over. Relieve the pain with a good foot massage you can do on your own or someone can do it for you. Stroke your foot with your thumb from the base of your heel to your toes. This motion should go back and forth across your foot at the same time.
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.
Do not get up immediately after your massage, especially when receiving a deep tissue massage. Most people will experience bouts of dizziness or feeling light-headed if the body has not had time to process the ministrations of the masseuse. Relax a bit more and let your body regulate itself before you get back to your day.
Make sure your feet are clean prior to your massage; a foot bath can help with this. It is important that the germs on your feet won’t contaminate other parts of your body. If a foot bath is not a possibility, simply go to the bathroom and rinse them off.
If you are massaging someone, try to get them to shave several days prior to their massage session. This helps provide a smooth surface, specifically if you’re using oil. Your hands will glide more smoothly, and that will aid in the pleasurable feeling your massage gives.
After you have had a massage, it is very important to drink plenty of water. You will be sore because of the toxins that have been released into your system by the massage. If you drink water right after the massage, you can flush these toxins out of your system more quickly.
You can give yourself a hand massage by using a pencil with an eraser. Use the pencil eraser to press into the fleshy areas of your hand, paying particular attention to the thumb pad. Move the eraser in a circular motion around your hand maximizing the pressure if it is necessary.
Have the person you are massaging lie on a flat surface while on their stomach. This is the most beneficial position when you are giving a massage, as it allows their back muscles to stay loose while there is nothing pressing against it. You will want their position to be loose and free at all times.
It may be possible to reduce belly aches by massaging your stomach. If you have just finished eating a big meal, use your hands to rub your belly clockwise. This procedure should aid your body in the digestive process. Be very gentle and do not apply pressure on your abdomen until you are done digesting.
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 spend most of your day sitting in front of a computer, you should take frequent breaks so you can massage your neck. Place your fingers at the base of your skull and squeeze your muscles gently. Stretch your muscles by tilting your head to the side before massaging your muscles some more.
Your masseuse is the answer to all of your back problems, but if you choose the wrong massage parlor then you will get the wrong answer. The above guidelines should provide a set of standards that any quality, preferred masseuse will have no problem surpassing. At the end of the day, schedule an appointment if you are uncertain and let the experience speak for itself.