Nothing feels so good as a relaxing massage when you are stressed and your muscles are tight. There are many reasons for getting a massage in addition to just feeling great, including a way to get rid of a headache or backache. The tips in this article provide great advice about getting a massage.
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.
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.
Try giving yourself or someone a foot massage. Focusing on the soles first can really relax a person. Start stroking the soles of the foot going back and forth in straight lines. Do these motions starting from the heel to the bases of the toes. After the soles have been properly massaged, you can move on to the toes and the top and middle of the foot.
When you give a massage, use scented candles. This lights the room dimly while adding aromatherapy. All of these factors can create a great massage that can boost a great experience.
Look at the person receiving the massage to determine if you are hitting all the areas that they need addressed. You have to watch how their muscles move, as well as to pay attention to expressions they make. If you practice for a time, you’ll eventually be able to use your hand to read the body. For example, if your subject feels tense, you may realize that you are applying too much pressure.
Lubrication is important when giving a massage. The best lubricants will allow your hands to glide across the body. Oils work well as do many lotions. Try out a few different kinds and see which works best. You want a lotion that will not require reapplication causing breaks during the massage.
Before choosing any massage therapist, read reviews on them. It is important to find out how others have responded to their massage if you want to avoid a potentially painful experience. Look for independent reviews to ensure honesty.
When getting a complete body massage, make sure your feet are entirely clean. There’s a lot of fungus and bacteria on people’s feet, and that is easy to spread to other areas of your skin by a masseuse. Just a thorough cleaning prior to the massage can do you a lot of good!
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.
Any hard working athlete is familiar with sports massage. Those who enjoy exercise, even if they are not a pro, can take advantage of a good sports massage. These massages aren’t intended to relax you or battle stress, but instead help build your body up so that you can prevent future injuries, or fix those you already have.
Don’t swear off using a massage therapist of the opposite sex. You may initially be weird about it, but get over it! Men may have the height and strength you need to work out the kinks from a really bad back, and women may have the relaxed touch you need to de-stress. Be open to whoever may best fit your current need.
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.
When you finish eating, give yourself a belly massage. Yes, that’s what was said! When this is properly done, you can help your body digest the food better. To do this, place your palms on your abdomen and gently rub it in a clockwise circle. That’s the way food flows through the gastrointestinal tract.
When giving a massage to your dog, it is important you choose an area in your house that is free of distractions and noise. This can make it easier for your dog to relax. Make sure you provide a comfortable area for the dog to be massaged. This can be on a bed, sofa or soft towel.
To perform a sports massage you must use quick smooth strokes on the affected muscles. A sports massage is not used to help the receiver relax as much as it is used to prevent future injuries. In addition to the quick gentle massage strokes, stretching exercises are generally included in this procedure.
If you feel dizzy or odd in any way, make sure that you sit down and take a breather. Sometimes, the amount of blood flow and circulation after a massage is much higher than usual, which could cause your mind to blackout for a second. Take your time and relax until you feel like you are back to normal.
There are different types of massage for different physical problems. You may need a massage for therapeutic reasons or just to relax. If you want to know where and how to get the message that will help you most, use the information provided in this article as your guide in finding the help you need through massage.
