Do you want to know how to really give a fantastic massage? Are you aware of what techniques are required and the supplies you need? No matter how much knowledge you have on massage, the below article contains invaluable tips that will help you improve. Read on to find out more.
Drink water after receiving a massage. When your body is stimulated in a massage, toxins go into the body. Drinking at least 10 glasses of water throughout the day will flush out the toxins. In the hour following the massage, drink several glasses and then continue with eight more in the next 23 hours.
When giving a massage, do not forget to focus some attention on the neck and shoulders. While much attention is paid to the back during a massage, the neck and shoulders can hold tension and stress too. Spending some time massaging them offers a lot of relief and can improve the massage experience.
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.
Discuss your needs with your therapist. Some people may feel a little uncomfortable at the prospect of getting a massage because they feel out of control. Tell the massage therapist about any sore areas, such as your back, knees or neck, so that they can avoid them or treat them accordingly. And don’t forget to let them know of your preferences for things like background music, room lighting and temperature. The whole point is for you to be able to relax, so make sure the conditions suit you.
Try giving yourself a massage. You begin by thumbing around the outside of the body. The arms and legs are two areas that could have a lot of tension. When you do this in the morning, you’ll invigorate your body. If you do it before you fall asleep in the evenings, you can help prepare yourself for a restful night’s sleep.
When you are giving a person a massage, be sure to always keep one hand on them at all times. This helps the client to feel secure and remain in a relaxed state. Move slowly and steadily with confidence, and the person being massaged will feel comfortable and be able to enjoy the experience.
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.
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.
To perform a pregnancy massage, have the expectant mother lie on her side and gently rub her back using a circular motion. A pregnancy massage is especially beneficial during the third trimester when the weight of the baby creates pressure points in the expectant mother’s lower back and buttock areas.
You should provide your massage therapist with a tip. In this business, tips are definitely suggested. You can do what you would do in a restaurant, which is to tip 15 percent of the total. Be even more generous if your therapist went above and beyond the call of duty. The next time you go back to that therapist, you will be treated with exceptional service. Since it will guarantee you get her or his best.
You do not have to remove your clothing for a massage. Many people feel uncomfortable being completely undressed, so don’t be afraid to keep some clothing on if it makes you more relaxed. Your masseuse will not be offended. The goal of a massage is to relax, so stressing about clothing is counter-productive.
If your shoulders are bothering you, you should try hugging yourself and massaging the muscles you can reach while hugging yourself. This exercise will also help you stretch your entire back. You should try this technique if you have to sit on a chair during most of your work day.
If you are unsure of which massage therapist to see in your area, ask your family members and coworkers. Referrals are crucial. While they don’t ensure that you will get a great therapist, they do increase your odds tremendously. After you get a few names, do your own research to see which person you think best fits your needs.
Those who suffer from diabetes can really benefit from having a massage. Diabetics tend to have a problem with circulation and blood flow in their feet, lower legs and hands. This is because they are the furthest away from the heart. Massaging the upper arms and legs can really help to get the blood flowing and circulating much better.
By all means, put pressure on tense muscles and thump them a bit during the massage. Talk to your client to ensure you are not inflicting any pain. Focusing on a specific muscle will help with aches, pains and stress. Don’t use these methods near the spine.
If you want to put some spark back into your relationship, consider giving your partner a romantic massage. They are more intimate than a standard massage and can really relax your partner for some couple focused bonding time. It will enhance your relationship through touch and make your partner feel special.
As you can now see, there are many different ways that you can increase and fine tune your massage skills. Your family and friends will be delighted with your newly acquired skills. They will be amazed at how good you are at giving massages after reading this article.