Read this article and learn how you can improve your massage skills. If you take the time to learn some insider tricks, it is possible that your friends and family will think you have secretly been taking classes in massage therapy. Read on for all the information you need to make it a reality.
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.
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.
Are you prone to muscle cramps either brought on by physical activity or sometimes nothing at all? These can be very painful, especially when they are in your calf. Massages can help to prevent your muscles from cramping up by promoting blood flow. You can also massage the area as soon as you feel it beginning to cramp up for some quick relief.
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.
When you are giving a massage, try not to use the same stroke over and over. This can make the whole experience mundane, as you want to incorporate as much change during the session as possible. Alter your technique, the stroke and how hard you press on the back, neck and thighs.
Most hard-working athletes are aware of sports massages. You can get a sports massage if you are not a professional athlete. Sport massage builds the body in an effort to prevent further injuries and heal present ones.
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!
Be on time for your scheduled massage. Although massaging is about relaxation, this is not something you do when you feel like it. Your masseuse more than likely has clients all day, so make sure you respect that.
Prenatal massages can be beneficial for pregnant moms. It helps to increase the blood flow to you and your baby. Studies have shown that prenatal massage helps new babies thrive and grow.
You should ask for feedback when giving a massage to someone. Remind the person that you have no way of knowing how efficient your massage is if they do not let you know how they feel. Encourage the person to guide you so you can find the area that is tense.
When getting a massage, you need to fully relax as the therapist moves your body and joints. You do not need to try to help the therapist move your limbs and body. Think of it as being a puppet, with the therapist moving your body as they want and you just along for the ride.
Take advantage of the non-human massages that you can get. Instead of going to a person for your massage, there are different whirlpools that you can use, which have jets that can massage your back and body. This can be a great form of not only relief, but exercise as well.
Watch the temperature in the room carefully when giving a massage. Most massages are done with the recipient in the nude or only wearing underwear. If the room is too cold, this can become very uncomfortable, very fast. If the room is too warm, your hands might become sweaty, making it difficult to give a good massage.
If you have any medical issues, tell your masseuse. For instance, if you have an allergy to various scents, tell him so he will not use those in your session. Be sure you tell him about any operations or former injuries that you had sustained.
Research massage therapy. It is one thing to get a massage and feel great, but it is another thing to really understand what is happening in your body. You are going to feel much better and have a much deeper understanding of why massage is is so good for you, which will mean even more minutes of bliss!
If you are not comfortable about getting a massage from a professional, you should go to the spa with a friend. Most spas have rooms with more than one table so you can receive a massage right next to your friend. Talking with your friend will help you relax while you receive a massage.
Use the tips from this article to help you give great massages. You’d be surprised by the positive reaction you’re going to get from what you’ve just learned. Start practicing right away and keep doing more research on massage therapy.
