Massage has been around for thousands of years and has long been a great way for people to de-stress and to increase their circulation. If you are interested in this relaxing activity, this article is going to give you some great massage tips. That way, you can relax that much more with massage!
If you are an athlete or have excessively hard workouts then having massages regularly is a good idea. Massages can loosen your muscles up before a game or exercise to help them from becoming injured. It can also help after strenuous exercise to help heal your muscles and keep them from stiffening up or becoming painful.
If you suffer from frequent tension headaches, you may benefit from a professional deep tissue neck massage. To perform a deep tissue massage, the massage therapist uses a stretching technique along with pressure to pull and stretch your muscles. This allows the muscles to relax; thus, relieving your headache and tension.
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.
When you are searching for a massage specialist, make sure that he is properly licensed. A therapist with a license has had training and can understand your needs better. Using someone who is well trained can offer you a better experience.
Lubrication is important when giving a massage. The best lubricants will allow your hands to glide across the body. Oils work well as do many lotions. Try out a few different kinds and see which works best. You want a lotion that will not require reapplication causing breaks during the massage.
When you are giving a massage, try to have the person you are massaging in as few articles of clothing as possible. If they are uncomfortable, they can wear a towel to feel more secure at all times. Having areas of the body exposed is not only soothing, but it also facilitates your job.
Try to save conversation for after the massage. You may love chatting with your massage therapist, but talking during the massage prevents you from ever relaxing fully. In fact, it may actually cause some muscles to tense up, making your therapist’s job even more difficult. Do speak up about your needs, however — if the room’s too cold, the music is too loud, or any other factor that prevents you from sinking deep into relaxation.
If you’re pregnant, you can still enjoy a massage if it is given by a license therapist. This is a great way to deal with morning sickness, stress, back pain, sore breasts and swollen ankles. You can continue it after birth to deal with postpartum depression, weight loss and baby-carrying pains, too.
Which area do you need to focus on when giving a self-massage? Wherever the pain is! Begin in the spot that hurts the most and move outward. You may discover a new source of discomfort; give it the attention that it deserves as well. If, after some time, the massage no longer feels good to the recipient, you can end the massage.
Hydrate, hydrate. A massage loosens lymph fluid, lactic acid and other toxins from your soft tissues. This is part of what makes your muscles feel so nice afterward. However, if you are dehydrated, there is no way for these toxins to leave your system. This could leave you feeling sore and slightly nauseated after your massage, which defeats the whole effort and wastes money. So, make sure you drink up!
Extend the benefits of your massage by taking things easy for the rest of the day. Allow your mind and body to stay in the relaxed zone by practicing deep breathing throughout the day whenever you feel the tension returning. Plan a low-key, relaxing dinner followed by a warm bath, then get into bed early and curl up for a nice, restorative night of sleep
When booking a massage treatment, choose a time which is easy for you to attend. You need to get there early, and you shouldn’t be in a rush to leave. Talk to them about their policy on cancellations to ensure you don’t get even more stressed out if you have to reschedule.
Don’t lie on a spa intake form! It is important that you list any medical issues or injuries you have experienced. This not only protects the spa from liability if you end up sick after the massage, but it allows them to determine exactly how the massage should be conducted for your health and safety.
If you like giving massages, consider becoming a massage therapist. You can likely get your massage license in just a few months. Once you do this, you can make money by being a massage therapist. You can work at home or in a clinic.
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.
Now that you have read this article, you have new knowledge about how to incorporate massage in your life. When you get a chance, use the tips here to help you really get into the wonderful state that massage can provide for you. Keep learning so that you find out even more about this wonderful activity.