Start working towards a healthier, active set of goals and you will find that life becomes more enjoyable. A great reward as your reach these milestones is the classical massage. Spending a couple of hours on the massage chair each month will remind you why you what you are fighting for in the first place.

Change your mindset about massage. Instead of thinking of it as a luxury, think of massage as a therapeutic approach to health. Research shows that massage can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as lessening asthma symptoms in children. Additionally, those tension headaches are no match for the hands of a skilled massage therapist.

Look into massage tools if your are into massage. You can enhance the massage experience when you use tools such as massage balls. These tools can be found online or in many stores. Try out the different tools and learn which ones work best for you.

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.

When your feet hurt, you hurt all over. Relieve the pain with a good foot massage you can do on your own or someone can do it for you. Stroke your foot with your thumb from the base of your heel to your toes. This motion should go back and forth across your foot at the same time.

If your baby is having a difficult time sleeping, give massage a try. Massage is relaxing and easy for any parent to do. Just rest the baby on your lap and rub the back, arms, legs and neck gently. You can even use a little oil to make the massage more enjoyable.

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.

If you feel you are not reaching your potential as a masseuse, slow down the process. If you are using your thumbs to apply pressure, be careful not to put all your weight on your thumbs. This could cause them to tire. Support your hand with your other fingers. Also make sure to use your weight so you don’t get tired.

The Japanese love to engage in a form of massage called shiatsu. This uses the pressure from the masseuse’s fingers pressed in a rhythm on your acupuncture meridians. The pressure is applied for a few to many seconds, boosting energy flow and returning the body to balance. It doesn’t leave you sore, either!

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.

Do not neglect the hands and feet when you massage someone. There are many muscles here too, and on top of that, they are very sensitive. When massaging these places, be firm and loosen up those muscles.

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.

Do you have a cold? You can relieve sinus pressure by massaging your face gently. Massage your forehead and temples and apply gentle pressure around your nose and eyes. Repeat this process throughout the day until the pressure is gone. This technique is useful to relieve headaches and stress too.

It’s common to forget how important it is to drink water following a massage in favor of a nap. To get rid of toxins, drink a glass of water after all massages.

Before and after you exercise, you should give your body a good massage. Before you exercise, use your fists in a pummeling motion to stimulate blood flow to your arms and legs. After you exercise, rub your muscles with your fist or palm. Move along your heart’s direction. This helps to speed up your recovery and aids in waste removal.

If you have an age-related problems like asthma, think about getting a massage from a professional. This is especially true if you get a massage regularly. It can really help those muscles and joints! They can help with relieving stress and increasing circulation.

Don’t forget that you are boss during a massage and if something isn’t to your liking, mention it. A lot of masseuses tend to talk too much or get carried away with the amount of pressure they apply. This scenario isn’t any different than a server getting your meal right in the restaurant! Always politely state your preferences.

Home massages require privacy. No matter if you are giving or receiving a massage, make sure you have enough time for the job to be done right. Turn off cell phones, TVs and other devices. Your massage time should be separate from the world. You need a private location where you won’t be bothered by others.

A massage isn’t purely for pleasure. There are many health-related benefits that come from spending time under the trained hands of a professional masseuse. Even if you aren’t working towards a set of goals or achievements, you should still plan some time with your local massage parlor and give your back a break from the stress of everyday life.