Massages can really help you relax during the day. The deep tissue massage can really work wonders at loosening up your muscles. Read on for some insights into giving and getting the perfect 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.

If your child suffers from asthma, consider massage. Massage has been proven to help breathing in asthmatic children due to the relaxing benefits it offers. A child’s massage should be done with a gentle touch and only for a limited period of time. Try this in the evening and help your child to also enjoy a good night’s rest.

Anyone suffering from arthritis knows the pain it creates. Medication can help, but it can’t always block that deep-seated pain in the bones. If you need something more than medication, a massage might work. Massages help with improving your circulation, getting your blood flowing and allow your joints to become more flexible.

Don’t let your body image stop you from enjoying a massage. Wear as little clothing as possible so the therapist can do their job. A masseuse knows how to keep your body covered using sheet-draping. Don’t be bothered by what a masseuse might think about your body.

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.

One of the best things that you can do before and after your massage is to drink a lot of water. Water will help to eliminate some of the free radicals that are in your body, which may be causing your discomfort in the first place. This will optimize your overall experience.

If you will be getting a massage to have some stress relieved, go with an aromatherapy massage. Along with a massage, the therapist will use essential oils on your capillaries in order to relax the body. Most of these oils come from flowers, roots, and herbs and are completely safe.

Bear hugs are great to relive tension in your shoulders. Make an ‘X’ across your chest with your arms. Place one hand on both shoulders and rub. This quick massage technique will relieve some of the tension from the day.

If you suffer from PMS each month with excessive water retention and cramping, there just might be some help for you. The power of massage has been shown to help reduce that unsightly water retention so that your pants will fit a little easier. It also can help relieve the pain that comes with cramps.

You should do a belly massage following every meal. Using one or both palms, start rubbing your abdominal area using clockwise circular motions. The clockwise motion is the same direction that your food digests naturally in your intestines. This can help with digestion and prevent gas and intestinal discomfort.

If you have a favorite fragrance of massage oil, bring it to your next massage. More than likely, the therapist will be willing to use it. Sometimes they may have a preference for oils of a certain type, but it is definitely worth asking to see if they are willing to use your favorite.

If you are giving a romantic massage to your partner, consider lighting the room with candles. Candles provide just the right amount of light so you can see what you are doing, while still allowing your partner to relax. They are also very romantic, and they can lend to the feeling you are trying to create in the moment.

Be on time, or a little early. Besides being good etiquette, being punctual can actually help your massage be effective. When you are running late, you are usually in a frenzied state, increasing stress levels and putting your body on edge. In a massage, this means it will take you longer to unwind and you may not get all of the benefits of a relaxing rub down.

Before beginning your massage, discuss pressure with your massage therapist. Some people like massages that are very deep with a hard intensity. Others prefer a lighter touch or even Reiki style massages where touch is not necessary. If you let your therapist know what works for you, they can adjust the massage to meet your individual needs.

Engage in a dialogue when you are giving your massage. This is important as you not only want to know if you are doing things right, but if the person is comfortable or not. This is crucial to know if you are applying pressure, as you do not want to hurt them or have them feel nothing at all.

You can massage your eyes to make your headaches go away. If you have tired eyes, you should rub your hands together until your palms get warm. Place your warm hands over your eyes and let your palms warm up your eyes. The warmth will relax the muscles located in your eyes.

It’s common to forget how important it is to drink water following a massage in favor of a nap. However, it’s important to flush harmful toxins out the body, so be sure to drink water.

Exercise increases the blood-flow within the muscles of your body and you should compliment this each day with a simple massage. Massaging these same areas will improve waste removal and decreases the recovery time for damaged tissue. Start a weekly routine of exercising and massaging target areas for best results.

Hopefully, you’ve just learned a ton about massage therapy. You’re probably scheduling one right now. Learn how to give massages better, yourself. Incorporate massage into your everyday life and enjoy the benefits that come from it.