You really want to give those massages that people ask for, but you just don’t know what you’re doing. It’s okay because all it takes is a few simple strategies to get the ball rolling. You will learn so much by continuing to read this article, and the people you love will thank you.
Try giving yourself or someone a foot massage. Focusing on the soles first can really relax a person. Start stroking the soles of the foot going back and forth in straight lines. Do these motions starting from the heel to the bases of the toes. After the soles have been properly massaged, you can move on to the toes and the top and middle of the foot.
An easy way to give a relaxing massage is by using a technique called “raking”. In it, you just run your fingertips (spread hands) down the person’s back, gently moving back and forth. Really, you’re doing a raking motion up and down. For added effect, try alternating your hands – one rakes up while the other rakes down.
Ease your aching feet! Your feet are under pressure all day long and are often ignored when it comes to a healing massage. Massage your toes, gently stretching them out until they feel relaxed. Use your thumbs to put pressure on the sole of your foot, slowly moving from the toes to the heel. For feet that are particularly achy you can apply more pressure by kneading the sole with your knuckles. Finally, treat your tired feet with a rich moisturizer.
Lubrication is important when giving a massage. The best lubricants will allow your hands to glide across the body. Oils work well as do many lotions. Try out a few different kinds and see which works best. You want a lotion that will not require reapplication causing breaks during the massage.
When selecting a therapist for your massage, look for reviews online. Read to find out how others rated the massage therapist. Also, make sure to determine the credibility of the reviews that you read.
You must realize that it takes time to become a skilled masseuse. Give massages to people you know and ask them for feedback. Then, when you are comfortable, you can branch out and massage other people.
Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor about massages. If you deal with back pains or muscle pains on a regular basis, ask your doctor if massages would be a good solution. Your doctor should be able to recommend a good massage clinic in your area and even write you a prescription.
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.
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.
If you spend most of your day sitting in front of a computer, you should take frequent breaks so you can massage your neck. Place your fingers at the base of your skull and squeeze your muscles gently. Stretch your muscles by tilting your head to the side before massaging your muscles some more.
It is always nice to tip your massage therapist after a good massage. Since massage is a service industry, tips are encouraged. You can choose to follow restaurant tipping rules, which is 15% of total cost. Your therapist will appreciate the tip, and will remember you for future visits. The next time you come back to him, you will be glad you tipped him. It will mean that you’ll get their best at your next visit.
You do not have to remove your clothing for a massage. Many people feel uncomfortable being completely undressed, so don’t be afraid to keep some clothing on if it makes you more relaxed. Your masseuse will not be offended. The goal of a massage is to relax, so stressing about clothing is counter-productive.
When you plan to book an appointment for a massage, call up a few local spas and ask them what they have to offer. You may find that they provide a massage style which you’d like to try out, or that they don’t offer the old standby you’d prefer to use.
If you have a less than pleasant experience having a massage, try not to write them off completely. Everyone has their own style and techniques and no two massage therapists are the same. Ask for a recommendation from a friend for someone new, and explain your experience to them so they can do their best to make your massage with them as pleasant as possible.
Learn the proper finger techniques for doing a back massage at home. It’s true that you will be mainly massaging using a finger and a thumb on each hand. However, massaging using only those digits will cause you to wear your thumbs out, so try using the other fingers on your hands to support them.
Now it’s time to get ready to go give a massage. Surely you’re excited to test the information you’ve just read. See what you can do, and give it your best shot. You are going to be amazed at how your new strategies will make all the difference in the world.