You can start a new life with some simple massage skills. Anyone can find relief in a massage. More severe situations should be handled by the doctor. Those conditions that aren’t that severe can have the tips applied to them.
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.
Hydrate yourself after receiving a massage. Your muscles will release a lot of toxins while they are massaged, and you might experience stress if you do not purify your body from these toxins. Drink a lot of water before and after your massage and be very careful about your hydration if you get massages regularly.
Try not to eat immediately before getting a massage. Eating before a massage can leave you feeling bloated and can make you uncomfortable when lying down. Therefore, make sure you don’t eat less than an hour before your massage so that your food can completely digest. This can aid in getting a full treatment by letting you assume various positions.
If you’re getting a full body massage, make sure the masseuse uses a massage oil. These oils are a must if they plan on digging deep into your ligaments and muscles without causing discomfort. These oils make their hands slippery, which helps reduce friction and lowers the chances of getting skin burns.
Heating oil, such as almond oil or olive oil is a great strategy to use when giving someone a massage. This will go on smooth and is also wonderful for the skin. Using oil is also beneficial in moving more smoothly across skin.
If a person wants a deeper massage, be careful on how much oil, you use. Yes, oil feels great on a person’s back and causes less friction, but the latter is the problem for deeper tissue massage. Without that friction, you won’t be able to offer a deep massage, as your hands will constantly slide. Minimize this issue by using just enough oil for the massage to be comfortable, but not so much that you lose all friction.
Don’t preoccupy yourself with worries about what a massage therapist will see at a massage appointment. Wear lightweight clothing so that your therapist has easy access to your muscles. Massage therapists know very well how to drape sheets so that that don’t see what you don’t want them to see, and they will make sure you remain covered. Just relax and trust them.
If you suffer from PMS each month with excessive water retention and cramping, there just might be some help for you. The power of massage has been shown to help reduce that unsightly water retention so that your pants will fit a little easier. It also can help relieve the pain that comes with cramps.
Avoid holding your breath while your massage therapist is working. You may have knots that are extremely painful, yet the therapist cannot massage them out effectively if you hold your breath. Try to breathe through the muscle pain, and use a combination of deep breathing and visualization. In your mind, picture the area and imagine the knot is a lump of butter, melting in the warm sunshine.
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.
This may be something you already know, but make sure you tip your massage therapist generously. It is not only the kind thing to do, but also earns the respect of your therapist if you plan on returning. Always show up on time for your massage because it not only shows you are serious, but you won’t cut into someone else’s massage time.
Remember you can talk if you are getting a deep tissue massage or sports massage. While there is no harm in shutting your eyes and relaxing, you also should speak up if you feel any pain, tightness or other uncomfort. They have to avoid hurting you worse.
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.
Consider a massage therapist license if you like giving massages. Licensing only takes a couple of months, then you’re ready to make a living. You can work at home or in a clinic.
Go to the spa and ask for a Swedish massage. This massage incorporates five different stokes that use both friction and vibration to help relieve your stress and loosen up your muscles. This is also a very easy massage technique to learn if you are an up and coming masseuse looking to gain skills.
Everyone will enjoy the fact that you know about massages. There are plenty of reasons for pursuing this field, but the ability to offer a friend a unique gift that has positive effects on his or her life makes it worth every bit of the work. Before you know it, the tips you’ve just implemented will become habits.
