Giving and/or receiving a massage is not an easy thing to do. Each message is different depending on what form you opt for. If you’re new to giving massages or just a seasoned pro looking for some extra advice, this article is for you. These tips will renew your interest in massage.
If you consistently get pain in your muscles, get a book that discusses the body’s trigger point or have your massage therapist teach you all about neuromuscular therapy. Small knots, referred to as trigger points, pop up in tight muscles. Not only can the pain be felt at these points, but it can also cause referred pain over other parts of the body. A therapy book for trigger points, or a knowledgeable masseuse can show you the proper way to massage and eliminate these painful trigger points.
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.
You should try different techniques when giving a massage. Use your hands and fingers to rub, apply pressure or even give gentle taps. Use the tip of your fingers if you need precision, for instance to relax a tense muscle. You could also try covering as much surface as possible by using the palm of your hands to apply pressure.
Giving a great massage is all about feeling out your partner. The best massage therapists will tell you that you need to let your hands read the body. Follow the bodies curves and lighten pressure as you go over bony areas. Modify the shape of your hand to fit in the curves of the body.
Help the massage therapist by relaxing your body. Avoid trying to “help” by tensing certain muscles or areas. The massage therapist is well-educated in various ways to maneuver your body parts to achieve the best results from massage, but their work is hindered if you can’t relax. Try doing some deep breathing and practice just letting go and trusting the therapist to do a great job.
Ask for dimmed lights when getting a massage. Your massage should be relaxing, and the dark can help get you there. It doesn’t have to be a completely dark room, but no brighter than accent candles.
Avoid holding your breath while your massage therapist is working. You may have knots that are extremely painful, yet the therapist cannot massage them out effectively if you hold your breath. Try to breathe through the muscle pain, and use a combination of deep breathing and visualization. In your mind, picture the area and imagine the knot is a lump of butter, melting in the warm sunshine.
Pay attention to how your partner responds during a massage. If your partner tenses up, you are probably massaging him or her in a way that is too intense. If your partner seems to feel tickled, you might be going too light with your fingers. Paying attention can help you to find the right balance that will really please your partner.
When searching for a massage therapist, you should aim to find one with whom you are comfortable around. When you are comfortable with your masseuse, you are better able to relax, and the massage will be a positive experience. Talk to your therapist before the massage and get comfortable.
If you are getting a full body massage, always ask to take a shower or at least wash your feet prior to beginning the massage. You can hold a lot of dirt and bacteria on places like your feet and hands, and you do not want your massage therapist massaging those areas first and then placing their hands on your face for further massage.
Massage faster as you get into the muscle. You want to start off slow to relax muscles. In time, you can increase the speed of massage when you are putting in more pressure.
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!
It is highly likely that you are more knowledgeable now about the process of massage as a therapeutic method. There are lots of right ways and wrong ways, and this is especially true when you first start. You should rely on the tips you just read instead of second guessing yourself.
