Massage therapy is one of the best things you can do for your mind, body and soul. When done properly, a massage can renew the way that you feel in just minutes. Below, you will find a guide to use to find the best massage that will alleviate many of the discomforts you have.
Massage is great during pregnancy, but wait until after the first trimester. During the first trimester, your baby is in the earliest stages of development. Toxins released during a massage can harm the fetus or inhibit growth during this delicate period. Once you have reached 16 weeks, you should be all clear to enjoy a massage.
Try giving yourself or someone a foot massage. Focusing on the soles first can really relax a person. Start stroking the soles of the foot going back and forth in straight lines. Do these motions starting from the heel to the bases of the toes. After the soles have been properly massaged, you can move on to the toes and the top and middle of the foot.
If you experience stress or other negative emotions, you should try massaging specific points of your body. Target your nerve endings to get your body to relax. Sensitive nerve endings are located along your spine, the top of your head and in different parts of your face. You should try gently tapping on the top of your head, your forehead, cheeks and chin before taking a deep breath.
When giving a massage, use a healing oil such as olive oil or sweet almond oil. The benefits of using a massage oil instead of lotion or gel is its ability to absorb into the skin. In addition, oils are better because you can use them to easily glide across a person’s skin.
Ease your aching feet! Your feet are under pressure all day long and are often ignored when it comes to a healing massage. Massage your toes, gently stretching them out until they feel relaxed. Use your thumbs to put pressure on the sole of your foot, slowly moving from the toes to the heel. For feet that are particularly achy you can apply more pressure by kneading the sole with your knuckles. Finally, treat your tired feet with a rich moisturizer.
Make sure that your massage therapist is registered in your state. If your massage therapist is not properly registered and insured, then you are at risk of being left to fend for yourself if they were to cause injury to you during their work. Do not worry about being rude, ask for proof so that you can be confident that you are in responsible hands.
A traveling massage therapist can come to your home to give you a great massage. They can come to you, and save you the trip to the spa. This allows you to get massages at a reduced cost and it keeps you from having to spend time and money traveling to their location.
If you have a wound that is beginning to heal, massaging around that area will help it to heal even faster. Massage increases the amount of blood that is flowing to that area of your body. So, by massaging that area you are providing it with new blood to promote healing. This can also help to reduce scars.
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.
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.
When your feet are aching after a long day, consider having some reflexology. This therapy uses pressure on specific areas of the foot which are connected to your organs, just like in acupuncture. It causes not only your feet to feel amazing, but also helps balance your systems and gives you a great deal of relaxation.
Finding the right therapist is very important when it comes to massages. You do not want to visit an inexperienced or inept therapist who may cause you more harm than good. Ask friends or family if they know of a good one in your area or look on the Internet for reviews.
Now that you know how to find a great massage therapist for your personal needs, You can get to work trying to find one. Schedule an appointment and prepare yourself for the most relaxing experience of your life. Before you know it, you will feel refreshed, renewed and ready to take on another day.
