Many people are looking for ways to be healthier these days and if you’re one of them, consider learning more about the art of massage! Getting a massage is very beneficial to your entire well-being and learning to give one means you can make someone you care about feel better! Keep reading to discover more.

If you are an athlete or have excessively hard workouts then having massages regularly is a good idea. Massages can loosen your muscles up before a game or exercise to help them from becoming injured. It can also help after strenuous exercise to help heal your muscles and keep them from stiffening up or becoming painful.

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.

Heated oils, such as olive or sweet almond, are perfect for a massage. Oil is absorbed by the skin more easily than gel or lotion, and it is more pleasant to handle and to feel on the skin. Using these oils will minimize friction, allowing your hands to move more smoothly than gels or lotion could.

Make sure your massage therapists know any areas of discomfort you have before beginning the massage. If there is any particular area that is giving your pain, the therapist can focus on that and try to give you some relief. She can also be careful to avoid any areas that are especially sensitive.

A popular back massage you can try out on someone is called a “Raking Massage”. With this technique, you spread your fingers apart and use your tips to give the massage. Begin in the shoulder area and work your way down the back using a raking motion. Then, you move your fingers down the spine without actually touching it. Move one hand down as the other hand moves up.

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.

A foot massage can be used for more than tired, achy feet. You can search online and find foot maps that show which area of the foot can be massaged to experience relief from a myriad of symptoms throughout your body. For example, pressing on the big toe is known to relieve sinus pain and pressure.

Consider a bear hug if you have stiff shoulders. Simply wrap your arms across your chest as if you are making an x. Rub the shoulders, utilizing both hands. It is a great way to relieve stress.

You should remain quiet during a massage. It may be hard for them to relax if you keep up a constant stream of chatter. The only sounds present should be that of calming music or soothing nature sounds. Otherwise, the environment should be quiet.

Recover slowly after enjoying a massage. Hold off on immediately jumping up from the table as soon as the masseuse leaves the room. Take a moment to luxuriate in the warm, relaxed feel of your body. Open your eyes, take in your surroundings, and then slowly sit up on the edge of the table. Rest a moment before standing.

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.

Remember the hands and feet when you are massaging someone. These are among the two most sensitive parts of the body and can cause great feelings through the entire massage. Be firm when massaging the feet and hands, as the muscles are tough.

Doing eye massages can relieve tired and sore eyes. The main benefit of this massage is using warmth to relieve pain and strain. Begin this massage by rubbing your hands together vigorously. Do this until your hands start to feel warm. When hands are warm, cover each eye with a palm until the warmth goes away.

When you are going for a massage, make sure that you communicate with your therapist. Going to a massage therapist is similar to going to a doctor. Have any questions or concerns ready when you go to the appointment. Tell the therapist about any areas that need work, the type of massage you would like or ask any questions about different kinds of massages you may have heard about.

You should give yourself a belly rub after eating. Yes, that’s what was said! Doing this the right way will help you with your digestion. To begin with, put your palms on the abdomen and rub in circles clockwise. Your food travels through your intestines in this direction, so this will stimulate your digestion.

Make sure you speak up if your massage is too hard or too soft for your liking. This is a service that you are paying quite a bit for, so if your masseuse is applying too much or too little pressure, let them know so they can adjust their pressure accordingly.

If you are in search of a cure for your common aches and pains or looking for a way to get rid of the excess stress in your life, you should now be convinced that a massage can help! Schedule an appointment to get a massage soon and see the difference they can make. Bet you’ll be hooked!