You can give a massage as well as a professional, even if you don’t have a license. Your friends or loved ones will enjoy the opportunity to experience a little relief and relaxation beneath the hands of a well-informed you. Use this advice in order to be as up-to-date as your massage therapist. It won’t take long before your house is the largest massage place in town!
When performing a massage, it is important to use your thumbs. Your thumbs are strong and should be used. Don’t overdo it, though, as you could hurt the recipient.
Make the most of your massage by drinking lots of water. Why? Because a good massage gets your circulation going, but water is needed to flush toxins out of your body. Hydrating before your massage makes your blood less sluggish, making it easier for the masseuse to rub excess lactic acid out of your muscles. Staying hydrated after aids your body in processing and eliminating these toxins.
Ask you friends who they use for their massages. It can be hard to find a massage therapist that you are comfortable with, but knowing that someone you know uses and trusts them you will feel that much better about it. Ask as many people as you can before you decide on one to try.
Make sure the person you give a massage to is comfortably installed. Ideally, you should use a massage table or at least a comfortable mat. If you do not have this equipment, have the person lay down on a comfortable couch or a supportive mattress. Make sure their head is properly supported.
An easy way to give a relaxing massage is by using a technique called “raking”. In it, you just run your fingertips (spread hands) down the person’s back, gently moving back and forth. Really, you’re doing a raking motion up and down. For added effect, try alternating your hands – one rakes up while the other rakes down.
Schedule your massages smartly. If you usually get sleepy after a massage, you should avoid getting one before you have to go to work. However, if massages help you get some energy, do not hesitate to schedule a massage before you have to go through a stressful day at work.
Help the massage therapist by relaxing your body. Avoid trying to “help” by tensing certain muscles or areas. The massage therapist is well-educated in various ways to maneuver your body parts to achieve the best results from massage, but their work is hindered if you can’t relax. Try doing some deep breathing and practice just letting go and trusting the therapist to do a great job.
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!
Speak up about potential medical issues. If you suffer from an illness that could be aggravated by a massage or if you are pregnant, say something. Your masseuse will be able to adjust their technique to give you a great massage that works around your ailment and keeps you safe.
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.
If your partner needs a deep massage, use your body weight to help. Massaging strictly with your hands can get exhausting very fast, making the massage less enjoyable for the both of you. When you put some weight into it, it is easier to go deeper and provide a longer massage experience.
Warm massage oil in your hands before placing it on the back. Putting cold oil on your skin is not as relaxing as warm oil. This just isn’t a good start for your massage. Rubbing your hands together for a little while before beginning the massage can really make all the difference in the world. Friction gets the oil to room temperature, and allows you to get started.
Spend several minutes after your massage relaxing. Your body isn’t used to massages. Moving too rapidly may make you feel light-headed or ill. You may feel nauseous if you stand up promptly after a massage. Relax for a few minutes before you get back to your daily activities.
Use these tips to better please your clients. Regardless of whether you are a trained professional or an amateur, you can always improve your massage technique, as well as enjoy better massages. When you are the one getting a massage, don’t hesitate to let you masseuse try these tips too.
