Would you like to give your massage techniques a big boost of improvement? Do you know all about massage? The following article will help you from feeling lost when it comes to massage. You’d be surprised to learn how a few key tips can greatly improve your message technique.
Always be gentle when giving someone else a message. Even if the person you are massaging complains, you should avoid applying too much pressure to their muscles and joints. Unless you have been trained in message therapy, you are more likely to hurt them than to relieve their pain by being more forceful.
If you consistently get pain in your muscles, get a book that discusses the body’s trigger point or have your massage therapist teach you all about neuromuscular therapy. Tight muscles can be affected by knots which are commonly referred to as trigger points. Trigger points may relay pain and other problems to their surrounding area. Ask your therapist to point out these spots to you the next time you go for a massage.
Massages differ from person to person. If your subject enjoys a certain area, then keep massaging in that area. Watch for passive feedback and solicit active feedback.
Only disrobe to your comfort level. For many people, undressing for a massage is not a big deal. This is not the case with some and they often find themselves feeling uncomfortable or self-conscious during the massage. This will reduce the effect of the massage. Avoid this by only taking off the clothing you are comfortable with.
When your feet hurt, you hurt all over. Relieve the pain with a good foot massage you can do on your own or someone can do it for you. Stroke your foot with your thumb from the base of your heel to your toes. This motion should go back and forth across your foot at the same time.
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.
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.
A popular back massage you can try out on someone is called a “Raking Massage”. With this technique, you spread your fingers apart and use your tips to give the massage. Begin in the shoulder area and work your way down the back using a raking motion. Then, you move your fingers down the spine without actually touching it. Move one hand down as the other hand moves up.
If you will be getting a massage to have some stress relieved, go with an aromatherapy massage. Along with a massage, the therapist will use essential oils on your capillaries in order to relax the body. Most of these oils come from flowers, roots, and herbs and are completely safe.
When using massage oil, before putting it on a person’s back, place it into your hands first. If you place the oil directly onto your partner, the oil may be surprisingly cold and startle the person. That’s not the kind of reaction you want from a massage. Instead place the oil first in your hands and warm the oil up by rubbing your hands together. This will make the oil the perfect temperature to use.
If you are giving a romantic massage to your partner, consider lighting the room with candles. Candles provide just the right amount of light so you can see what you are doing, while still allowing your partner to relax. They are also very romantic, and they can lend to the feeling you are trying to create in the moment.
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.
Before beginning your massage, discuss pressure with your massage therapist. Some people like massages that are very deep with a hard intensity. Others prefer a lighter touch or even Reiki style massages where touch is not necessary. If you let your therapist know what works for you, they can adjust the massage to meet your individual needs.
Give your therapist a gratuity. This business is one where you should definitely tip for good service. Similar to a restaurant, a 15% tip will suffice. You can even give a larger tip if you are happy with the massage. You’ll be glad you tipped the next time you return to your massage therapist. It will mean that you’ll get their best at your next visit.
If you find yourself relying on prescription pain medication too much, consider massage therapy. Massages help muscles heal and stress disappear. Check to see whether your health insurance will cover massages related to different health issues.
Be realistic and admit that your feet may not be particularly appealing to a therapist after you have been working all day. Make sure that you bathe yourself and take your time before going to an appointment. You will make your massage therapist happy, and you will also be glad to avoid the smell yourself.
Do you have the knowledge you need now? Apply the advice from this article to improve on your massage skills. The trick is to practice the techniques until you get a feel for the perfect massage.
