Body pain can be irritating. No matter if it’s a mild pain that only lasts for a few days, or a sharp pain that lasts for weeks, it can be annoying either way. Pain can be eliminated through the art of massage, which you can learn more about through the following tips.
Change your mindset about massage. Instead of thinking of it as a luxury, think of massage as a therapeutic approach to health. Research shows that massage can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as lessening asthma symptoms in children. Additionally, those tension headaches are no match for the hands of a skilled massage therapist.
An easy way to give a relaxing massage is by using a technique called “raking”. In it, you just run your fingertips (spread hands) down the person’s back, gently moving back and forth. Really, you’re doing a raking motion up and down. For added effect, try alternating your hands – one rakes up while the other rakes down.
One of the best things that you can do before and after your massage is to drink a lot of water. Water will help to eliminate some of the free radicals that are in your body, which may be causing your discomfort in the first place. This will optimize your overall experience.
Do you suffer from high blood pressure? Whether it is hereditary or caused by stress it can be dangerous. If you are looking for a way to lower your blood pressure a bit, try having a massage. Massages are a great way to relieve stress and tension. They have also been proven to lower peoples blood pressure significantly.
If you need help with stress or pain, you should get a massage from a professional. Asking someone you know to give you a massage can be helpful but keep in mind that a trained professional will be able to use technique your friend or relative does not know about.
When you decide to get a massage, make sure you are communicating with your massage therapist. If you have any massage preferences, make sure you tell him or her when entering the room and before starting. If during the massage you are feeling pain or experiencing numbness, make sure you let your therapist know by speaking up.
If you have a favorite fragrance of massage oil, bring it to your next massage. More than likely, the therapist will be willing to use it. Sometimes they may have a preference for oils of a certain type, but it is definitely worth asking to see if they are willing to use your favorite.
If you cannot find anyone to give you a massage, you should try using massage tools such as head massagers or canes designed to massage your back. These tools are not as efficient as receiving a massage from a professional but they are a good solution if you cannot afford to go get a massage on a daily basis.
Many athletes use a well known technique to massage their feet. Get a tennis or golf ball and roll your feet on top. Move from toe to heel and side to side. Pay special attention to your arches, which are more sensitive than the rest of your feet.
You need to clean your feet before getting a good full body massage. You never know what kind of nasty germs are living on your feet which could be redeposited elsewhere. Just clean them before, and you will be much safer.
If you are a woman, don’t swear off men massage therapists. Since most women are modest, they often feel uncomfortable in front of a male massage therapist. However, some women have reported that the best massage they have gotten in a long time is from a male massage therapist. Whatever your decision, don’t just base it on the sex of the massage therapist.
If you have a spot which hurts frequently, give it a massage once per day. This will help loosen it up and hopefully your pain will not return. Over time, you may find that it is already loose when you start to rub it, so you can reduce the frequency of massage.
How much should you tip a masseuse? If you’re at a hotel or a local spa, 20% is pretty standard. If they work from home, each therapist will typically set their own policies, but 20% is fair. If they work in a massage clinic, ask them for their rules – some will include the tip in the price.
It is always nice to tip your massage therapist after a good massage. In this business, it is highly appreciated. Similar to a restaurant, a 15% tip will suffice. If they did an exceptional job, offer them a little more. You and your therapist will both be thankful if you did, when you choose to return. They will want to work hard for you because they appreciate your business.
After you consume a meal, rub your stomach. I know it sounds silly! When done the right way, it helps promote healthy digestion. Simply put your hands on your stomach and move them in a clockwise motion. This matches the same direction food digests in the intestines naturally to stimulate digestion.
Consider a hot shower after a massage. A hot shower can further relax your muscles, and it gives you an opportunity to stand still and enjoy all the benefits of the massage. The hot water is also very relaxing, lending to the stress free atmosphere you have probably hoped to create.
Back pain, leg pain, and even abdominal pain can make our lives miserable, but there is a solution to them. Through massage, any muscular pain in the body can eliminated. You can try massage on yourself or have someone else do it. Regardless of who does it, if you use the massage tips from this article, you won’t have to worry about pain anymore.
