Have you previously had a massage? You know how great they are then. Still, even if you have gone to get one before, there is probably a lot you do not know. This knowledge that you lack can often hinder your appreciation of a good massage. The article that follows is packed with lots of excellent tips about massage.
Massage is great during pregnancy, but wait until after the first trimester. During the first trimester, your baby is in the earliest stages of development. Toxins released during a massage can harm the fetus or inhibit growth during this delicate period. Once you have reached 16 weeks, you should be all clear to enjoy a massage.
Don’t be afraid of appearing rude, ask any questions you have during your massage. Your therapist won’t see your questions as stupid and would probably love to answer them. They just want you to be as comfortable as you can be, so be sure that you’re getting any information that you need.
Put your thinking on hold. One of the most difficult, yet essential elements of getting the most out of a massage is relaxing your mental state. Try to start doing some deep breathing while the therapist is setting up. Imagine that, with every inhale, you gather all the nagging and stressful thoughts in your head. On the exhale, envision blowing all of these thoughts out into space, gone forever. Keep repeating until you feel yourself relaxing.
Massage yourself when your muscles feel stiff. Gently push your thumbs into the skin on your body. Begin near your arms and legs and go from top to bottom. This is a good massage technique to use right after you get up to get your blood flowing. This helps to lessen stress and it can even help you sleep better.
There are many benefits to getting a Thai massage. In addition to reliving tension you may have in your joints and muscles, it can also strengthen your nervous system and help you become more flexible. The therapist will stretch your body out for you, but you must control your breathing.
A great place to start with a massage is the back. When you start on your partner’s back, you will give their body an overall relaxation that is more conducive to massaging the rest of the body. The quicker you can get their entire body to relax, the more beneficial the entire massage will be.
Massage has been found to help people who suffer from mental disorders, not just physical conditions. Having a massage not only relaxes the body, but the mind as well. This can really help to reduce anxiety and depression in people who suffer from these conditions. Regular massages can really help your mental well-being.
If you have recently contracted the flu, a massage may help alleviate the pain and stiffness generally associated with the flu. For the best relief, gently rub warmed lotion over your entire body using a circular motion. This will not only alleviate aches, but it will also help re-hydrate your skin.
If you will be getting a complete body massage, thoroughly wash your feet before starting. Your feet can carry a lot of bacteria and fungus, and that is easily spread by your massage therapist when the therapist works the full body. This can be avoided with a good cleaning ahead of time.
Before you give a massage, stretch all of the areas that you are planning to use. This means that you will need to stretch your fingers, arms, neck, back and legs so that you can reduce cramps during your massage and get all areas involved. If you are providing a long massage session, stretching is imperative.
Communicate with your massage therapist. Your masseuse is most likely not a mind reader, so let them know if an area of your body needs a little extra attention. Whether your shoulders are a mess from being hunched over a desk or your legs are sore from a marathon workout, speak up.
If you are new to getting a massage, you may be riddled with questions. Do you keep your eyes closed? Do you chit chat during the massage? Should you keep your eyes open when lying on your back? The best way to deal with all of these things is to do what feels right to you. The point of your massage is to relax and to feel relaxed.
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.
If you feel as though your complexion is looking a little dull, or you are noticing little wrinkles forming in places around your face, you do not have to run to the plastic surgeon! Giving yourself a daily face massage will promote blood flow to your skin, brightening it up and making those wrinkles virtually disappear.
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.
So, if you have experienced a massage previously, you are familiar with how wonderful it can be. This article has hopefully increased your knowledge of various elements of massage. You massage will be the best it can be when you take advantage of the advice above.
