If you are interested in learning about the many wonderful benefits a massage can offer you, the following article will help. Massages can ease stress and alleviate many common ailments that slow us down and cause us discomfort. Read the following tips and advice that will convince you that you are overdue for a great massage!
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.
If you are an athlete or have excessively hard workouts then having massages regularly is a good idea. Massages can loosen your muscles up before a game or exercise to help them from becoming injured. It can also help after strenuous exercise to help heal your muscles and keep them from stiffening up or becoming painful.
Feeling a little blue? Go get a massage! The health benefits of massage are numerous, and studies have shown that one of the benefits of massage is elevated serotonin. Serotonin is a neurochemical that makes us feel happy, yet lack of sleep, hormone fluctuations, gloomy weather and poor diets can lower your body’s natural serotonin stores.
Not every person that you massage is going to be the same, so make sure that you adjust to what the person likes. Pay attention to the cues your client gives you, and you will know in which areas to concentrate your massage. Be mindful about your subjects’ feedback during the massage.
Hydrate yourself well for forty-eight hours before your massage. Many people know that heavy water intake after a massage is good for flushing the body of toxins and helping with sore muscles. Drinking plenty of water before the massage will greatly increase the impact of the massage and its purging abilities.
Try a variety of oils and scents when you give a massage. This is particularly important as each person reacts differently to various oils. Oil is important because it can lubricate the skin so you can massage even better.
If your baby is having a difficult time sleeping, give massage a try. Massage is relaxing and easy for any parent to do. Just rest the baby on your lap and rub the back, arms, legs and neck gently. You can even use a little oil to make the massage more enjoyable.
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.
Trigger point therapy, or neuromuscular therapy works best when the concentrated pressure is put on certain trigger points. These points are knots or lumps in the muscle that are irritated. These areas can hurt a lot, and sometimes other parts of your body hurt from it. Applying pressure here can relax the muscle and relieve the pain.
The Japanese love to engage in a form of massage called shiatsu. This uses the pressure from the masseuse’s fingers pressed in a rhythm on your acupuncture meridians. The pressure is applied for a few to many seconds, boosting energy flow and returning the body to balance. It doesn’t leave you sore, either!
Use candles to set the mood. Candles provide subtle lighting, while simultaneously creating a relaxing atmosphere. Scented candles are also a great idea. Place them evenly throughout the room, at varying elevations. It is also important to be safe when using candles. Keep them away from hanging fabric such as curtains.
When you are deeper into your massage, go faster. At first, you should go slowly to allow the recipient to become acquainted with your touch so their muscles can begin to be less taut. As you progress, you can increase the speed at which your hands move and apply a little more pressure.
Consider getting a massage in either just your underwear or naked. Skin to skin contact is important during any massage, and this can only be accomplished if you remove your clothes. You can always use a blanket to cover up if you are concerned about modesty or staying warm during the process.
If you have a spot which hurts frequently, give it a massage once per day. This will help loosen it up and hopefully your pain will not return. Over time, you may find that it is already loose when you start to rub it, so you can reduce the frequency of massage.
Massaging your stomach aids with digestion and it also alleviates stomach pain. To help with digestion, lay your hands on your belly and rub in a clockwise motion. This can assist in the digestion process. Be gentle and avoid applying pressure directly on the abdomen until you’ve finished digesting.
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.
Even though there are many wonderful benefits to having a massage, if you have a lot of health problems or an injury you should talk to your doctor first. What you might think is a harmless massage could end up causing a condition to worsen such as a blood clot.
A massage can provide you with many benefits and anyone else you know who is over-worked and constantly aching. Use the tips from this article to put the power of massages to work for you and those you care about. They are fairly quick and inexpensive, but offer such a huge pay-off.
