Learning how to give a massage is not so hard. You can learn massage therapy at school, or you can learn some information from this article and start giving the people you love great massages. Don’t waste any time, start now!
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.
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.
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.
The speed of your hands is important for the kind of massage you are trying to give. If you are looking for a massage to relax your partner, go for slow strokes. If you are looking to work out tired muscles that have been over exerted, faster strokes work better.
When you are giving a massage, try not to use the same stroke over and over. This can make the whole experience mundane, as you want to incorporate as much change during the session as possible. Alter your technique, the stroke and how hard you press on the back, neck and thighs.
If you can, tell the person who is going to receive a massage from you to shave a couple days prior to the massage. It will be much easier for you to do what you need to do, particularly if oil will be involved. This makes it easier for your hands to have a better flow and make the massage even more enjoyable.
Consider massaging your body prior to exercising and immediately afterwards too. Massaging prior to working out helps raise blood flow into all of your muscles. And after a workout, a quick massage helps your muscles recover a lot quicker. It’s definitely worth the extra five minutes before and after exercise!
When you have a client that you are giving a massage to, ask whether or not they are comfortable. The last thing that you will want is someone who does not feel secure when you are giving a massage. Additionally, they will be very tight and tough to massage if they are anxious.
Talk to your massage therapist about your health issues before the massage. This is especially important if you are carrying a child at the time. Letting them know gives them the opportunity to tailor your massage to your specific needs. If you don’t have the right information, it could worsen the situation.
Engage in a dialogue when you are giving your massage. This is important as you not only want to know if you are doing things right, but if the person is comfortable or not. This is crucial to know if you are applying pressure, as you do not want to hurt them or have them feel nothing at all.
When you are going for a massage, make sure that you communicate with your therapist. Going to a massage therapist is similar to going to a doctor. Have any questions or concerns ready when you go to the appointment. Tell the therapist about any areas that need work, the type of massage you would like or ask any questions about different kinds of massages you may have heard about.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to spend a lot of money to get a good massage. Meanwhile, it is human nature to choose well known spas, a smaller center or a massage school can offer the same services. Sometimes lesser known places offer better massages than their more expensive counterparts, for half the price.
Wear loose fitting clothing to your massage. Your masseuse will ask you to disrobe down to the level of your comfort, and so the last thing you want to do is struggle with multiple layers or tight clothing as you get ready for your massage! Many people wear workout clothing when they get a massage.
Those who suffer from diabetes can really benefit from having a massage. Diabetics tend to have a problem with circulation and blood flow in their feet, lower legs and hands. This is because they are the furthest away from the heart. Massaging the upper arms and legs can really help to get the blood flowing and circulating much better.
Always warm your hands prior to giving a massage. We all know that cold hands are unpleasant on bare skin. They will make your subject more tense instead of more relaxed. An excellent way to warm your hands is rubbing them together using a massage lotion prior to your massage.
If you are uncomfortable with the whole idea of massage therapy, go with a friend to the spa. This will make you feel much more comfortable, as you are with someone you know and not alone. You can even go into the massage room or sign up for a duel massage with this person.
It’s time to put the tips you’ve read to good use as you plan out the next massage you’re going to give. Keep learning in order to improve your technique and skills. Now that you have confidence in your technique, it’s time for a hands-on demonstration.
