If you are interested in learning about the many wonderful benefits a massage can offer you, the following article will help. Massages can ease stress and alleviate many common ailments that slow us down and cause us discomfort. Read the following tips and advice that will convince you that you are overdue for a great massage!
When giving a massage, consider using a little bit of oil. Oil helps you to rub your hands over the skin more easily, and it also makes it easier to go deeper with pressure while giving the massage. Almond oil, olive oil and baby oil are all good choices. If you wish, add a little essential oil to make the massage fragrant.
After you get a massage, drink water. When you stimulate tissues as part of a massage, you release toxins into the body. When you drink a lot of water, it will flush out the toxins and reduce the bad side effects. You want to get in eight glasses of water over the next 24 hours, and the first two or three should be during the first hour.
When you are giving a massage, make sure that you are getting your thumbs into the mix. Thumbs can push deeper more easily than other fingers can, and they really get into the recipient’s muscles well. Press gently, as you do not want to make people feel uncomfortable.
It isn’t a good idea to eat immediately prior to a massage. Eating prior to a massage can make you feel bloated and uncomfortable. Digest all of your food and have a light snack before the massage. This helps you stay comfortable no matter the position you may need to get into during your massage.
Make sure your massage therapists know any areas of discomfort you have before beginning the massage. If there is any particular area that is giving your pain, the therapist can focus on that and try to give you some relief. She can also be careful to avoid any areas that are especially sensitive.
Swedish massage therapy is the most frequently offered type available. Some people consider this to just be a basic massage. The strokes are long and smooth, done in a kneading motion, typically in circles. The masseuse will normally use oil during the process. It is not too rigorous and quite enjoyable.
Let your massage therapist know if anything begins to hurt too much. Some massage techniques can cause some discomfort, so you need to be aware of that. Ask the therapist to ease up in certain areas if you find that you are beginning to tense up because something is too painful.
If you tend to get sick often, there is something you can do. It’s proven that massages can stimulate white blood cell production. This is useful because white blood cells help your body fight off infection and viruses.
When giving a massage to someone, you need to be careful about the amount of pressure you are putting in them. Applying too much pressure could cause damage to their nerves, joints and muscles. Also, you should be massaging toward the heart, as applying the wrong way could cause damage to veins.
The goal of any massage is to make your partner feel good and relaxed. The massage will help with this, but the environment will also play a part in it as well. Set the mood and have some nice scents like candles or potpourri fill the air. Furthermore, a good massage table to make your partner comfortable will help tremendously.
Go online for help in selecting a massage therapist. If that doesn’t work, talk to your primary care physician. You can also talk to a nurse or a chiropractor in the area whose work you respect. Professional recommendations are almost as good (if not better) than personal recommendations, particularly if you trust the individual.
The patient isn’t made of glass, so don’t be afraid to close your fists or use your elbows to thump along the body’s outline. This small exertion of force at the beginning of a massage helps waken the nerves and loosen the tired muscles. Apply a gentle amount of force and follow along the shoulders, ribcage, and lower neck for maximum efficiency.
Before giving a massage, warm your hands. Your hands should be warm, as a cold touch will increase tension. You can prep hands before a massage by rubbing palms together using massage lotion.
The massage is supposed to reduce stress and a great way of doing this is by knocking the problems away beneath a well-placed elbow. Using your fists as well, you can thump the stress away in a relaxing manner before bed. This will help improve the quality of their sleep by calming the muscles and allows the patient to have a good night’s rest.
Do not use harsh lighting in the room in which you will give a massage. The harsh lighting puts stress on the eyes, causing the body to become tense. Use lighting that is soft and dim so they feel comfortable to the eyes. The whole point of massage is relaxation, and soft lighting will help you achieve that.
Do your best to relax while getting a massage. You might feel uncomfortable about getting a massage from a stranger, but this experience will be more enjoyable if you relax and talk to your massage therapist. Let them know about your preferences and do not hesitate to explain that you are not entirely comfortable.
If you find that you receive a lot of benefit from getting massages, consider setting up a regular schedule. Doing so allows you to understand more of what you need from your therapist. You will also be better able to determine if someone is doing a good job with you or not. Each therapist is different. Some are good and some simply can’t give you what you need. Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself.
A massage can provide you with many benefits and anyone else you know who is over-worked and constantly aching. Use the tips from this article to put the power of massages to work for you and those you care about. They are fairly quick and inexpensive, but offer such a huge pay-off.
