Learning some simple massage techniques will be very useful if you often experience pain or stress or know someone who does. The massage techniques discussed here bring pleasure to all who receive them and can make turn sufferers into happy campers. For more serious conditions, proper physical therapy should be done by a professional. Those conditions that aren’t that severe can have the tips applied to them.
One great massage technique that you can do for your partner is called raking. Raking means that you spread your hands out, and using your fingertips, you rake up one side of the back right by the spine while you rake downward on the other side with your other hand.
Only disrobe to your comfort level. For many people, undressing for a massage is not a big deal. This is not the case with some and they often find themselves feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious during the massage. This will reduce the effect of the massage. Avoid this by only taking off the clothing you are comfortable with.
Ease your aching feet! Your feet are under pressure all day long and are often ignored when it comes to a healing massage. Massage your toes, gently stretching them out until they feel relaxed. Use your thumbs to put pressure on the sole of your foot, slowly moving from the toes to the heel. For feet that are particularly achy you can apply more pressure by kneading the sole with your knuckles. Finally, treat your tired feet with a rich moisturizer.
If you notice knots in the back while you are giving a massage, you can kneed them out with some pressure from your fists. Simply get your fists into a ball and work them over the knotted spot for a few minutes. Apply more pressure if the knots are deeper, as long as the recipient remains comfortable.
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.
The speed of your hands is important for the kind of massage you are trying to give. If you are looking for a massage to relax your partner, go for slow strokes. If you are looking to work out tired muscles that have been over exerted, faster strokes work better.
The pressure used in massage should vary depending on the goal. In order to get rid of knots, you apply slow pressure in order to help release the tension. Consistent pressure is helpful to relieving tension as well. This is essential if you want to master the techniques of deep tissue an intense massages.
To become a great masseuse, remember that it takes time to become great. Begin by working on familiar people who will give you honest feedback. Then, once you know what you’re doing, practice on your boyfriend or girlfriend.
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.
Deep tissue massages can heal old and new injuries. This type of massage gets deep into your muscle and tissues to release built up toxins. Deep tissue massages focus on tight muscles and help to loosen them up.
If you want a massage that gets your energy in balance while staying in motion instead of lying on a table, try Thai massage. Your therapist will move you all over the place, running through postures much like yoga. It really gets your energy up and reduces stress while increasing range of motion.
If you are planning on a massage of your entire body, make sure your feet are thoroughly cleaned ahead of time. Your feet can carry a lot of bacteria and fungus, and that is easily spread by your massage therapist when the therapist works the full body. Just a thorough cleaning prior to the massage can do you a lot of good!
Try to save conversation for after the massage. You may love chatting with your massage therapist, but talking during the massage prevents you from ever relaxing fully. In fact, it may actually cause some muscles to tense up, making your therapist’s job even more difficult. Do speak up about your needs, however — if the room’s too cold, the music is too loud, or any other factor that prevents you from sinking deep into relaxation.
There is no real dress code when you decide to go out and get a massage. If you are concerned about dressing appropriate, speak with the spa or your message therapist beforehand. By addressing clothing concerns, you can ensure that you won’t feel embarrassed or uncomfortable during your massage. If there is an area you also don’t want massaged like your behind, tell the therapist before starting.
If you happen to be a massage novice, go for the deep tissue, or perhaps the Swedish massage. You can choose from all kinds of massages; therefore, it’s important that you choose the right one so that you are not disappointed. These two cover your most essential needs until you know more about the other types.
A hot stone massage incorporates heated stones and a gentle touch. Smooth stones are heated and placed along the back and other parts of the body to relieve muscle tension. The massage therapist may also gently press the stones into your tense muscles and then gently rub them in a circular motion to help relieve tension.
Massaging can help both your family members and close friends. There are many reasons to give this career a try, however the fact that you can give a friend this unique gift that will positively impact their life, makes it all well worth it. Soon, you will have these tips mastered and you will find your hands doing things you never knew was possible.
