These days, people rely on pharmaceuticals very heavily. One very helpful alternatives to medications can be a massage. They not only help your body to feel better, they also alleviate a lot of stress and tension in your mind. Learn more about the benefits massages can have for you and people you care about in the following article.
Always be gentle when giving someone else a message. Even if the person you are massaging complains, you should avoid applying too much pressure to their muscles and joints. Unless you have been trained in message therapy, you are more likely to hurt them than to relieve their pain by being more forceful.
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.
Don’t underestimate the benefits of neck massages. Many people store a lot of tension in their neck muscles. Thankfully, the neck is an extremely easy area to massage; therefore, great benefits can be obtained from a neck massage. When you’re massaging the neck, it’s important to use lotion, and don’t forget to get to the shoulder muscles too.
What should one use for a self-massage? Whatever you can use! If you’re massaging a knot out of your thigh, why not use your elbow? Is your neck sore? Fingers will do, but you can also buy a massaging neck roller. Try out different items and body parts and see what works for you.
You can give yourself a hand massage by using a pencil with an eraser. Use the pencil eraser to press into the fleshy areas of your hand, paying particular attention to the thumb pad. Move the eraser in a circular motion around your hand maximizing the pressure if it is necessary.
Did you know you have great self-massage tools around the house? Why not lie on a tennis ball for a sore spot on your back? A rolling pin is great for the bottom of your feet. Walk around your house and you may be surprised by all the great tools you find!
How much should you tip a masseuse? If you’re at a hotel or a local spa, 20% is pretty standard. If they work from home, each therapist will typically set their own policies, but 20% is fair. If they work in a massage clinic, ask them for their rules – some will include the tip in the price.
Let your masseuse know how you feel when getting a strenuous massage. There’s nothing wrong with zoning out, but you also need to speak if you have tightness or pain. The massage therapist need to know to avoid injuring you.
There is a helpful massage that helps to relieve sinus pressure and congestion. To do this massage, begin by placing your fingers right above your nose and pressing down. Be sure you are rubbing outward. Next, put your fingers under your eyes, moving down and rubbing out. Massage the cheekbones with your thumbs and then put your thumbs on your temples, moving in small circles.
If you are giving a deep tissue massage, incorporate your elbows into it. This may feel uncomfortable at first for the person you are massaging, but is a fantastic way of spreading out the muscle and causing a very pleasurable sensation. Never push too hard though, as this will then feel uncomfortable.
Try not to go to a massage appointment with a full stomach. It is better to have eaten about half an hour before your appointment. A massage requires that you lay on your stomach for an extended period of time, and this can be very uncomfortable if your belly is too full.
A simple massage technique is using ankle rotations to help loosen up stiff joints. Put your hand under your heel and grab the ball of the foot with your other hand. After this, turn the foot about 4 times both ways by rotating near the ankle area.
If you are suffering from tension in the lower muscles of your body, get a deep tissue massage. There are five muscle layers in your body as this massage gets the lowest level of muscles. This is great if you play sports or have chronic tension that is not going away anytime soon.
Use gentle massage to help relax a restless baby or child. Just like adults, children become very relaxed when they receive a massage and can even fall asleep. If you notice that nothing seems to calm your child give massage a try and see the wonders that it can do to make things easier for everyone.
Use a massage oil to reduce friction. While baby oil is a popular choice, you may find that a light natural oil is preferable. Apricot seed and sunflower oils are great choices that will benefit skin health as well. Warm the oil between your hands before applying it to your partner.
When giving a massage to your dog, it is important you choose an area in your house that is free of distractions and noise. This can make it easier for your dog to relax. Make sure you provide a comfortable area for the dog to be massaged. This can be on a bed, sofa or soft towel.
Prescription drug use has soared in recent years, and massages are a natural chemical-free remedy for many of those aches, pains and problems. Hopefully this article has shown you that and you are now convinced to try them. Tell others you know about the benefits too; they could probably use a little relief from pain and stress also.