Getting or giving the perfect massage is one of life’s great pleasures. It helps let the daily stresses melt away and can bring couples closer together. There are a number of helpful tips to help improve a person’s massage skills. Read on to learn all about massages, both giving and getting one.
If you decide to get a massage in the comfort of your own home, take a hot shower first. The hot water will help relax your muscles through the penetrating heat. This will ensure that your massage is more comfortable and any aches or pains are eliminated before the start.
Feeling a little blue? Go get a massage! The health benefits of massage are numerous, and studies have shown that one of the benefits of massage is elevated serotonin. Serotonin is a neurochemical that makes us feel happy, yet lack of sleep, hormone fluctuations, gloomy weather and poor diets can lower your body’s natural serotonin stores.
Petrissage is the best way to relieve stress and make pain disappear. This method requires you to use your fingertips and your thumb. Grab hold of a muscle and squeeze it for a few seconds before moving on to a different area. Go over the same areas several times until the pain disappears.
Don’t take massages for granted. You can reduce your pain and stress and increase your energy by having a massage. If you find any of these things to be a problem for you, you should definitely try getting a massage so that you can see the benefits on your own.
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.
When you have a client that you are giving a massage to, ask whether or not they are comfortable. The last thing that you will want is someone who does not feel secure when you are giving a massage. Additionally, they will be very tight and tough to massage if they are anxious.
Prior to getting a massage, inform your massage therapist of all the problem areas you have. If you don’t you may end up wasting half of your massage time on areas that need a lot less work to feel good! This communication will give your therapist a plan of action for the limited time there is available.
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.
Make sure you’re on time for your massage appointment. Although massaging is about relaxation, this is not something you do when you feel like it. Massage therapists schedule appointments throughout the day, so their time should be respected as much as any other professional.
Eat some food about 30 minutes prior to a massage, but don’t eat too much! You don’t want to feel bloated for the experience. You want just enough food that you feel relaxed. If you go in hungry, you’ll be that much more stressed for the entire time period of the massage.
If you are giving a deep tissue massage, incorporate your elbows into it. This may feel uncomfortable at first for the person you are massaging, but is a fantastic way of spreading out the muscle and causing a very pleasurable sensation. Never push too hard though, as this will then feel uncomfortable.
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.
Create a warm and relaxing environment for your patient. The temperature should be comfortable enough that exposed skin is not cold. You may choose to play relaxing music if you both agree to it. Turn off any cell phones and perform the massage in a clean room to minimize distractions.
Rub your belly in a slow, clockwise pattern after any meal for best results. This is the direction that food will naturally follow as it enters your digestive system and begins to break down. This belly-rub will stimulate the digestion-process. Try this for yourself and notice the improvement within minutes.
When you begin a massage, always warm the lotion or oil with your hands prior to applying. Gently spread the oil or lotion over the skin and let it set for a minute or two before beginning the massage. Make sure that you use enough so that once the massage starts, you are not having to reapply constantly.
You do not have to get totally naked during a massage if you do not feel comfortable with that. You can strip down to your undergarments and have the masseuse cover you up with a towel. This way you can get your entire body massaged without feeling the least bit awkward.
These tips should help you find the perfect massage, teach your partner what to do or even improve your own massage skills. Whether you and a partner do it yourself or you find a professional to do it, a good massage is one of the most pleasurable things you can enjoy. Good luck.
