If you have ever been stressed out and gotten a massage, you know about the healing power of touch. If you get massages regularly, it can be a wonderful way for you to start really feeling good about yourself. Here are some massage tips to open this world a little bit more to you.
When giving a massage, consider using a little bit of oil. Oil helps you to rub your hands over the skin more easily, and it also makes it easier to go deeper with pressure while giving the massage. Almond oil, olive oil and baby oil are all good choices. If you wish, add a little essential oil to make the massage fragrant.
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 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.
You need to relax as you receive a massage. When lying face down on the massage table try to breathe deeply; this will help to relieve tension. Once the therapist begins the massage, continue taking some deep breaths from time to time to keep your muscles loose and relaxed.
Consider massaging your body prior to exercising and immediately afterwards too. Massaging prior to working out helps raise blood flow into all of your muscles. And after a workout, a quick massage helps your muscles recover a lot quicker. It’s definitely worth the extra five minutes before and after exercise!
Let your massage therapist know if anything begins to hurt too much. Some massage techniques can cause some discomfort, so you need to be aware of that. Ask the therapist to ease up in certain areas if you find that you are beginning to tense up because something is too painful.
Increase the benefits of your exercise regimen by massaging your body before and after exercising. Massages before exercising can boost blood flow to muscles. Use your fists to make pummeling motions on your arms and legs. Doing massages after exercising can help speed up muscle recovery and better waste removal. You can do these by rubbing along your muscles using your palms or fists moving towards your heart.
Digestion is easier when you give your tummy a massage. After you have eaten, put your hands on your stomach and rub it in a clockwise motion. This procedure should aid your body in the digestive process. Avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your stomach as you are digesting and always be gentle.
When you are giving someone a massage, take care that your hands are following the contours of your partner’s body correctly. Work out the palm and fingers of your hand. On rougher surfaces, you may want to use your palms to massage. When you get to softer surfaces, you can utilize your fingers to apply more pressure.
Prior and after you exercise, increase the blood flow to the muscles and accelerate muscle recovery by massaging your body. Before you exercise, you should pommel your body with your fists in order to stimulate blood flow. Massaging your muscles in an upward motion towards your heart after a workout can really help to heal your body faster.
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.
Know your options before getting a massage. Can you get a deep tissue massage? Swedish massage? Hot stone massage? Each has its own pros and cons.
Before and after you exercise, you should give your body a good massage. Before you exercise, use your fists in a pummeling motion to stimulate blood flow to your arms and legs. After you exercise, rub your muscles with your fist or palm. Move along your heart’s direction. This helps to speed up your recovery and aids in waste removal.
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.
Privacy is what you want to focus on if you are doing massages in your house. Whether your giving or receiving a massage, it is important that it takes place during a time where you won’t have any disturbances. Also, you should not have any electronics on as this can create a disturbance. In addition, pick a part of the house where you know you will not be disturbed.
Do your best to relax while getting a massage. You might feel uncomfortable about getting a massage from a stranger, but this experience will be more enjoyable if you relax and talk to your massage therapist. Let them know about your preferences and do not hesitate to explain that you are not entirely comfortable.
Now that you have had a chance to learn more about massage, you can use this wonderful technique to your advantage. Whether you give massages or receive them, massage can be a great therapy for all of us. You just have to remember what you have learned here, and pass it on to others.
