Need A Massage? Use These Tips
If you are feeling stressed out and anxious, there is nothing better for your state of mind than getting a massage. However, it can be hard to find a masseuse who can really help you relax. For some tips on finding the right place for your next massage, keep reading.
Change your mindset about massage. Instead of thinking of it as a luxury, think of massage as a therapeutic approach to health. Research shows that massage can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as lessening asthma symptoms in children. Additionally, those tension headaches are no match for the hands of a skilled massage therapist.
Petrissage is the best way to relieve stress and make pain disappear. This method requires you to use your fingertips and your thumb. Grab hold of a muscle and squeeze it for a few seconds before moving on to a different area. Go over the same areas several times until the pain disappears.
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.
If you suffer from sinus pressure, use massage to help. A simple and quick massage under your brow line can help to clear your sinuses and make breathing much easier. Just use your fingers to massage gently over the eyes and across the bridge of your nose. This only takes minutes, and it can offer you a lot of relief.
Depending on the type of massage you need, the degree of pressure used can vary greatly. If your partner’s body feels knotted and tense, you should use a slow continuous pressure to free up the tension. Even if you maintain constant pressure on your knots, the tension will ease. This is a fundamental part of all deep tissue massages.
Swedish massage therapy is the most frequently offered type available. Some people consider this to just be a basic massage. The strokes are long and smooth, done in a kneading motion, typically in circles. The masseuse will normally use oil during the process. It is not too rigorous and quite enjoyable.
When you decide to get a massage, make sure you are communicating with your massage therapist. If you have any massage preferences, make sure you tell him or her when entering the room and before starting. If during the massage you are feeling pain or experiencing numbness, make sure you let your therapist know by speaking up.
Need A Massage? Use These Tips
Be mindful of the scents that you are using for your aromatherapy candles. You want the scents to be more mild and not strong. Stay away from scents that remind you of medicine and stick to floral or fruit-like scents. The person getting the massage will be able to relax and feel more comfortable with this pleasant fragrance in the air.
Have the person you are massaging lie on a flat surface while on their stomach. This is the most beneficial position when you are giving a massage, as it allows their back muscles to stay loose while there is nothing pressing against it. You will want their position to be loose and free at all times.
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 you go out for a professional massage, be open with your masseuse. Make sure they aware of areas you would like them to stay away from and areas you would like them to focus on. If something does not feel right, feel free to speak up. After all, it should be relaxing.
Try to save conversation for after the massage. You may love chatting with your massage therapist, but talking during the massage prevents you from ever relaxing fully. In fact, it may actually cause some muscles to tense up, making your therapist’s job even more difficult. Do speak up about your needs, however — if the room’s too cold, the music is too loud, or any other factor that prevents you from sinking deep into relaxation.
Show up on time for your massage. You can’t relax if you’re late. Just like you need to be on time for a doctor’s appointment, massage therapists also need to have a well-run schedule for their client’s, too.
Look into getting massages from students if you are on a slim budget. Massages can be very expensive, but students are always looking for people to practice on and they are usually very good. Additionally, their teacher is on hand for advice, so you are usually in really good hands.
Eat some food about 30 minutes prior to a massage, but don’t eat too much! You don’t want to feel bloated for the experience. You want just enough food that you feel relaxed. If you go in hungry, you’ll be that much more stressed for the entire time period of the massage.
Go online for help in selecting a massage therapist. If that doesn’t work, talk to your primary care physician. You can also talk to a nurse or a chiropractor in the area whose work you respect. Professional recommendations are almost as good (if not better) than personal recommendations, particularly if you trust the individual.
If you plan to give a massage, ensure the atmosphere is right. Keep the air at room temperature and avoid any drafty windows or doors. In the background, play some easy listening music and light scented candles to really set the tone. Once the room is ready, get down to work!
It is best not to get a massage if you are intoxicated. Massage releases toxins from the body, and it can dehydrate you if your fluid levels are off balance. Alcohol in excessive amounts can increase the toxins massage is trying to release, and it can also increase feelings of dehydration. It is better to sober up a bit before enjoying your massage.
You want a good massage, and now you can use the tips from this blog to help you to get one! Make sure you share these tips with your friends and relatives if they often feel stressed. A simple at home massage needs no more than experienced hands and sore muscles.
Image courtesy of Ambro / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
