If you have ever wanted to improve your skill set in giving a massage, you may be surprised to find it’s not difficult. You could become a professional massage therapist, or you can take the easy way out and read some of the great tips in the article below. Start right away!
One great massage technique that you can do for your partner is called raking. Raking means that you spread your hands out, and using your fingertips, you rake up one side of the back right by the spine while you rake downward on the other side with your other hand.
Giving a great massage is all about feeling out your partner. The best massage therapists will tell you that you need to let your hands read the body. Follow the bodies curves and lighten pressure as you go over bony areas. Modify the shape of your hand to fit in the curves of the body.
You can make massages even better by using some massaging oils. There are plenty of different essential oils to choose from. Choose an oil with an enjoyable smell and you will find that massages are even more relaxing thanks to the smell of the essential oils and the properties of the oil you chose.
When you are giving a massage, try not to use the same stroke over and over. This can make the whole experience mundane, as you want to incorporate as much change during the session as possible. Alter your technique, the stroke and how hard you press on the back, neck and thighs.
Trigger-Point Therapy A.K.A. Neuromuscular therapy, is most effective is pressure is given to certain trigger points. Trigger points are ares of the muscles that are irritated and often present themselves as lumps or knots. Pains in distant parts of the body are often the result of the tension in these painful areas. Pressure you put on these areas will relax the muscles, relieving the pain.
Massage has been found to help people who suffer from mental disorders, not just physical conditions. Having a massage not only relaxes the body, but the mind as well. This can really help to reduce anxiety and depression in people who suffer from these conditions. Regular massages can really help your mental well-being.
A deep tissue massage can help heal injuries. In this type of massage, motions that work against the grain are applied slowly so as to produce friction. This loosens up muscles that are constantly tight, usually due to injury or poor posture.
The Japanese love to engage in a form of massage called shiatsu. This uses the pressure from the masseuse’s fingers pressed in a rhythm on your acupuncture meridians. The pressure is applied for a few to many seconds, boosting energy flow and returning the body to balance. It doesn’t leave you sore, either!
Try using your fists to give a good massage. Gently thump on the area that is painful or tense after warming the muscles with a more gentler techniques. Thumping is excellent for circulation and will cause the entire muscle to relax almost instantly. Avoid using this technique on someone who has to take blood thinners to prevent bruising.
Don’t swear off using a massage therapist of the opposite sex. You may initially be weird about it, but get over it! Men may have the height and strength you need to work out the kinks from a really bad back, and women may have the relaxed touch you need to de-stress. Be open to whoever may best fit your current need.
Listen to your massage therapist and follow any professional directions they give you. They are the experts after all. As long as this person is being professional, trust that they know what is best. This includes any requests before and immediately following a massage. There may be things you need to do to make sure your muscles respond well.
During a massage, your hands should be capable of interpreting the responses given by the patient’s body. Balance the massage work well between both the palms of your hands and your fingers. You can keep the pain at a minimum in the bonier regions by only working the palm of a single hand with slight pressure. For deeper curves of the body, you can press further in to get out any kinks.
Make sure that if you use massage oil on someone during a massage, give them the opportunity to shower off when you’re done. A shower will help remove oil from their body, as well as soothe them. In addition, this is important for their skin because this prevents clogged pores and blemishes.
Give your masseuse a tip. If you think that your therapist did a good job, then it is a nice gesture to give them a tip. You can do what you would do in a restaurant, which is to tip 15 percent of the total. You can even give a larger tip if you are happy with the massage. If you return, you’ll be glad you did. You’ll make sure that you get his best or her best.
Never get a massage if your doctor advises against it. This may seem obvious, but often, people will get a massage because they feel that it will help soothe them and make them feel better. If you have muscle tears, this could actually make them worse with constant pressure on your body.
Remember to breathe deeply when receiving a massage. You want to bring oxygen to every part of your body to enhance the healing effects of the massaging action. Breathe in and out of your nose to create a meditative type state, and make sure to breathe deep into your abdomen.
You have to use what you’ve learned here when you give someone a massage. It is always useful to learn as much as you can about massage so that you always have an edge on the competition. It’s time you show how to use your hands.
