Are you a fan of massages? Nearly everyone does, but they don’t have the money to pay a professional. In order to get high quality, you’re going to end up paying top dollar at a fancy spa. After reading this article, you know how to make the most of your experience getting a massage, and you may have even learned how to give one, too.
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.
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.
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.
Make the most of your massage by drinking lots of water. Why? Because a good massage gets your circulation going, but water is needed to flush toxins out of your body. Hydrating before your massage makes your blood less sluggish, making it easier for the masseuse to rub excess lactic acid out of your muscles. Staying hydrated after aids your body in processing and eliminating these toxins.
Discuss your needs with your therapist. Some people may feel a little uncomfortable at the prospect of getting a massage because they feel out of control. Tell the massage therapist about any sore areas, such as your back, knees or neck, so that they can avoid them or treat them accordingly. And don’t forget to let them know of your preferences for things like background music, room lighting and temperature. The whole point is for you to be able to relax, so make sure the conditions suit you.
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.
Neuromuscular therapy, often referred to as trigger-point therapy, uses various trigger points on the body to help relax and relieve stress. Trigger points in the body are irritated muscle areas which feel like lumps or knots. These parts of the body can cause a lot of pain in not only that particular place but all over the body. The pressure put on these areas relaxes the muscles which relieves the pain.
Let your massage therapist know if anything begins to hurt too much. Some massage techniques can cause some discomfort, so you need to be aware of that. Ask the therapist to ease up in certain areas if you find that you are beginning to tense up because something is too painful.
Certain aromas can help your clients relax during their massages. Make sure the scents are natural and mild. Fruity and floral smells are good, but make sure don’t create any medicinal smells. This gets everyone into the mood.
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.
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.
Listen to your massage therapist and follow any professional directions they give you. They are the experts after all. As long as this person is being professional, trust that they know what is best. This includes any requests before and immediately following a massage. There may be things you need to do to make sure your muscles respond well.
Why do you want a massage? Were you involved in an automobile accident? Does your back hurt? Are you simply trying to relax and relieve your stress? Whatever brings you in, you need to identify it in order to select someone well versed in your needs to massage you.
Don’t fear applying pressure or to thump tense muscles when massaging. Be gentle at first and ask for feedback to make sure you are not causing pain. If you are careful, the pressure that you use can rid the person of pain and stress. Don’t use these techniques when you’re near the spine or close to an articulation.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy a nice massage. There are different ways to get quality massages without breaking the bank. You might even be able to use some of the techniques you have learned in this article to give your partner a relaxing massage.
