Getting or giving a massage without the right information is something you need to avoid. If you aren’t prepared for getting or giving a massage, you can really end up hurting someone or even yourself. Instead of just diving into the topic and thinking you know everything, take some advice from this well written article below.
Always be gentle when giving someone else a message. Even if the person you are massaging complains, you should avoid applying too much pressure to their muscles and joints. Unless you have been trained in message therapy, you are more likely to hurt them than to relieve their pain by being more forceful.
If you often experience chronic muscle pains, do some research on trigger points or find someone who can give you some information on neuromuscular therapy. Tiny knots, which are called trigger points, happen where muscles are tight. Not only can the pain be felt at these points, but it can also cause referred pain over other parts of the body. You can find books that are helpful on learning about trigger point therapy. You may also want to look for a masseuse that’s skilled in this practice.
If you’re into massage, consider purchasing some massage tools. You can enhance the massage experience when you use tools such as massage balls. They’re quite affordable when purchased online. Try several different kinds to see what works best for you.
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.
Ask you friends who they use for their massages. It can be hard to find a massage therapist that you are comfortable with, but knowing that someone you know uses and trusts them you will feel that much better about it. Ask as many people as you can before you decide on one to try.
After you give a massage to someone, make sure that they take a warm bath. This will help to further the effect of the massage and soothe the muscles even more. After this person takes the bath, they will feel more refreshed and looser then they ever had in their entire life.
Put your thinking on hold. One of the most difficult, yet essential elements of getting the most out of a massage is relaxing your mental state. Try to start doing some deep breathing while the therapist is setting up. Imagine that, with every inhale, you gather all the nagging and stressful thoughts in your head. On the exhale, envision blowing all of these thoughts out into space, gone forever. Keep repeating until you feel yourself relaxing.
Deep tissue massages are a great way to treat injuries, both old and new. The therapist generally works against muscle grain in a slow movement, building up friction. This type of massage can help with muscle spasms and sports injuries.
If you are not familiar with getting a massage, consider getting a deep-tissue massage or a Swedish one. Other therapies may not prove as beneficial. These will work until you learn about the other methods.
If you are getting a full body massage, always ask to take a shower or at least wash your feet prior to beginning the massage. You can hold a lot of dirt and bacteria on places like your feet and hands, and you do not want your massage therapist massaging those areas first and then placing their hands on your face for further massage.
Have the person you are massaging lie on a flat surface while on their stomach. This is the most beneficial position when you are giving a massage, as it allows their back muscles to stay loose while there is nothing pressing against it. You will want their position to be loose and free at all times.
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.
If you have dry hands or feet, find a good moisturizer and use it for massages. Apply a small dose of moisturizer on your dry skin and take the time to massage the area. Massaging allows the moisturizer to penetrate the skin to its deeper layers, which means you will get better results.
When getting up from a massage, do so slowly. Roll to your right side and sit up slowly. Ask your massage therapist for a hand if you need it. Do not stand too quickly or move around the room too suddenly. You might feel dizzy after a massage, and taking this approach can help you to avoid slips and falls.
When it comes to lower back pain, massage therapy is very effective and can bring helpful relief to an individual that is suffering from this affliction. Almost fifty percent of health care providers recommend therapeutic massage for patients that are suffering from lower back pain. Combined with other medical treatments, massage therapy gives many people relief from debilitating back pains.
Reading this article probably did not take too much time on your hand. However, the things you’ve probably learned about getting or giving massages can really stick. If massages are something of interest to you as a whole, it is something you really need to research. Apply all that you’ve learned from this article for future success.