If you’ve always want to give and get massages, but know little about the subject, fret not. There are definitely a lot of things to be learned, but they are all within your reach. The article below has the information that you need to make informed decisions about the art of massage.
Pregnancy can be especially hard on your body over the course of nine months. Carrying the extra weight from the baby can lead to aches and pains in places that you never knew existed. Treating yourself to full body prenatal massages can be just the thing to get you feeling more like yourself again.
Stretch before you go to get a message. This will help to loosen you up just a little bit before hand so that your massage therapist can quickly locate any problem areas that you might have. If you have extreme pain you may not want to do this, otherwise it is a good idea.
Be sure to observe your subject closely so as to respond to any cues he or she may convey. Notice whether their muscles are tensing up or not, and listen to everything they say or what you can read on their face. It takes some practice, but you can get to a point where you can read their body using your hands. If they tense, you are applying too much pressure.
Bear hugs can help with shoulder tension. Wrap your arms over your chest area, like making an x. Place one hand on both shoulders and rub. This should help you relieve tension and go on with your day without feeling stressed.
Immediately after a massage, ensure you get up very slowly. Understand that you have been lying face down for thirty minutes to an hour. You’ll probably feel light-headed when you initially stand up, so be sure to move carefully to make sure you’ve got your balance.
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.
Know that getting a neck massage can be a powerful thing. A ton of tension is stored in neck muscles. Happily, necks are very easy to massage and doing so provides tremendous benefits. Lotion and a dual-hand massage can do wonders for the neck and shoulders.
Try using your fists to give a good massage. Gently thump on the area that is painful or tense after warming the muscles with a more gentler techniques. Thumping is excellent for circulation and will cause the entire muscle to relax almost instantly. Avoid using this technique on someone who has to take blood thinners to prevent bruising.
As you can now see, there are a lot of interesting variables that go into giving and getting great massages. Apply what you’ve learned here, and you will be an expert on the subject in no time. Going forward, enjoy the wonderful world of massage and what it can do for you.