Wouldn’t you like to know some great tips and tricks for giving the best massages? You can use this mastery on anyone you love. Keep reading to learn more tips about giving great massages.

When giving a massage, consider using a little bit of oil. Oil helps you to rub your hands over the skin more easily, and it also makes it easier to go deeper with pressure while giving the massage. Almond oil, olive oil and baby oil are all good choices. If you wish, add a little essential oil to make the massage fragrant.

If you have stretch marks, you probably want to be rid of them. Begin a daily routine of massaging them with cocoa butter, to begin reducing your stretch marks. This will result in tissue growth, helping the stretch marks appear less prominent.

Start your massage at the top of the back. This is important as there are a lot of muscles and knots tied up in this area. This technique will help you to soothe the person you are massaging and serves as a great bridge to the other areas of the body.

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.

The raking method is a popular way to give a back massage. Spread your fingers out wide and use your fingertips to perform a raking motion down the back, from shoulders to hips. You can increase the pressure to the recipient’s liking. This is a simple way to relax your significant other and spend some quality time together.

You should give yourself massages to rid kinks. Gently push your thumbs into the skin on your body. Begin with your limbs, moving from digits to torso. When this massage is done in the mornings, you can help energize yourself for your hard day. You can also use this technique before you go to bed to relax and get ready for sleep.

You should do a belly massage following every meal. Using one or both palms, start rubbing your abdominal area using clockwise circular motions. The clockwise motion is the same direction that your food digests naturally in your intestines. This can help with digestion and prevent gas and intestinal discomfort.

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.

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.

All athletes who go through a hard workout know a lot about sports massages. Even if you are an amateur at exercise, sports massage can benefit you. The purpose of sports massage is to condition the muscles to prevent injury rather than to relax and reduce stress.

Try not to exceed 45 minutes when you are giving a massage. Remember that you are pressing down on someone’s body for a long period of time when you are massaging. Therefore, if you do it for too long you can actually cause bruising and pain, which you will want to avoid.

Massaging your belly can help with a sore stomach or poor indigestion. After you have eaten, put your hands on your stomach and rub it in a clockwise motion. This will help your stomach digest food. Avoid putting too much pressure on the abdomen until your food has fully digested.

Be on time, or a little early. Besides being good etiquette, being punctual can actually help your massage be effective. When you are running late, you are usually in a frenzied state, increasing stress levels and putting your body on edge. In a massage, this means it will take you longer to unwind and you may not get all of the benefits of a relaxing rub down.

Massage therapy may be something to consider if you rely on medication to treat pain. In addition in relaxing you, massages help with sore joints and muscles. Ask your insurer if your coverage includes massages for medical issues.

Now you know more about the world of massage. Plan one for the evening after a long, busy day, or offer one on the weekend. You’ll get better at massaging if you keep these tips in mind.