Massage is a topic of great interest to people of all walks of life. However, in order to thoroughly understand the art of massage, a good deal of education and information is needed. Keep reading to learn some key facts about massage and the many benefits it can offer virtually everyone.
If you’re struggling with recurring muscle pains, you should research trigger points or speak to a massage therapist. Tiny knots, which are called trigger points, happen where muscles are tight. These can cause pain and other negative effects throughout your body. You can learn how to treat these trigger points with massage therapy.
Discuss your needs with your therapist. Some people may feel a little uncomfortable at the prospect of getting a massage because they feel out of control. Tell the massage therapist about any sore areas, such as your back, knees or neck, so that they can avoid them or treat them accordingly. And don’t forget to let them know of your preferences for things like background music, room lighting and temperature. The whole point is for you to be able to relax, so make sure the conditions suit you.
Massage in an environment without loud noises. It’s going to be hard to relax if there is a lot of commotion going on. A massage is something that can be very relaxing. If you need to, move to a quieter location or choose a different time of day when the noise is not so prevalent. Everybody will benefit from the lessened noise levels.
A foot massage can be used for more than tired, achy feet. You can search online and find foot maps that show which area of the foot can be massaged to experience relief from a myriad of symptoms throughout your body. For example, pressing on the big toe is known to relieve sinus pain and pressure.
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.
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!
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.
Do not forget to stretch before and after you receive a massage. A massage will be more efficient if your muscles are already warm and you will have more energy after your massage if you take a few minutes to stretch your muscles. Besides, stretching is an efficient way to relieve muscle pain.
Any hard working athlete is familiar with sports massage. Sports massage isn’t limited to athletes; they can be beneficial to anyone who participates in sports or exercises often. This type of massage helps to build your body and strengthen it against future injury in addition to repairing your current injury.
Migraines are quite painful. If you are a migraine sufferer than you understand the impact a migraine can have on you. Thankfully, studies have shown that a massage can help relieve migraines and reduce the pain you experience from them.
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!
An excellent way to give a great back massage is using the “raking” technique. This involves using the tips of your fingers. Make sure that you spread your fingers apart. Begin your massage at the shoulders and slowly move your hands down the other person’s back. Your fingers should move alongside the person’s spine; however, you should not actually touch the spine. While one hand is going down one side, have your other hand go up in an alternating motion.
Massage is an important part of spending time at a luxury spa. Although most people cannot afford this type of indulgence on a regular basis, visiting a spa a few times during the year can provide the type of rejuvenation everyone needs from time to time. Enjoy the massage and every other part of your day to the fullest.
Incorporate mint scents in your massage creams. Mint has relaxing properties and soothes tender skin. Additionally, its refreshing smell adds a pleasant aspect to the experience. Always purchase high quality products so as to also provide moisture to the skin.
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.
There is no doubt that countless individuals find massage to be a subject of immense interest. The fact remains, though, that without sufficient knowledge, it can be hard to determine what type of massage offers the right sorts of benefits for a given individual. Hopefully, this article has provided you with the foundation you needed.
