You don’t need a professional license in order to give a professional-quality massage. People close to you will appreciate your knowledge and skill. If you are thorough in reading these tips, the best masseuse in town may have some competition! Before you know it, you may turn your home into a popular massage parlor!

If possible, try to have a massage twice a week. Massages have been found to help improve your health in certain ways. This is probably because a relaxing massage is great for relieving stress. If you can, shoot for getting a massage at least two times per week.

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.

Start your massage at the top of the back. This is important as there are a lot of muscles and knots tied up in this area. This technique will help you to soothe the person you are massaging and serves as a great bridge to the other areas of the body.

Always be on time for your massages. It is easy to get lost in the business of the day and lose track of time. Do not rush, as this will only cause more tension in your body. It is best to get there early so you can have a few minutes to relax before your massage.

Don’t allow yourself to worry too much when you’re getting yourself a massage. Usually, the less clothing worn, the better the massage therapist can access sore or tight muscles. Massage therapists know how to skillfully drape sheets so that you stay covered. So, relax and forget worrying about what the therapist might think of your physique.

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.

If you go to get a massage but the spa isn’t going to give your feet a bath, then you need to wash them yourself. This will help limit the contamination when you get your massage. You can go to the bathroom and wash your feet as a last resort.

When your feet are aching after a long day, consider having some reflexology. This therapy uses pressure on specific areas of the foot which are connected to your organs, just like in acupuncture. It causes not only your feet to feel amazing, but also helps balance your systems and gives you a great deal of relaxation.

When massaging yourself, do you know where to rub? Wherever the pain is! Start with the spots that are aching and radiate outward. Each time you come across a new location that aches, massage out the pain. Stop when you do not feel the benefit anymore.

To perform a pregnancy massage, have the expectant mother lie on her side and gently rub her back using a circular motion. A pregnancy massage is especially beneficial during the third trimester when the weight of the baby creates pressure points in the expectant mother’s lower back and buttock areas.

If you like gentle massages, request a Swedish massage. This type of massage uses long, gentle strokes. It has been described as the most relaxing type of massage available. This massage gently massages the superficial layers of muscle tissue resulting in relaxation and peace of mind. This type of massage is great for those who are new to massage therapy.

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.

When you have completed a massage where you used oil, be sure that your client is offered a shower if possible. This will help remove the excess oil as well as soothing their body. This is crucial to the skin since it prevents pores from clogging and creating blemishes.

After every meal, rub your stomach! Yes, rub your belly after you eat. Doing this correctly can help promote digestion. Just use your palms to do clockwise motions. This is the direction that food goes down your intestines, so your digestion will be stimulated.

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.

If you want to put some spark back into your relationship, consider giving your partner a romantic massage. They are more intimate than a standard massage and can really relax your partner for some couple focused bonding time. It will enhance your relationship through touch and make your partner feel special.

When you are getting a massage, try to be as punctual as possible. Arriving late will only cause you stress and will not put your body in an optimal position for a massage. Try to get there at least ten minutes early so you can scope out the area and reduce the chances of losing your appointment.

Use these tips and make adjustments as needed to serve your clients. Whether you give massages for a living or just for fun, it is always helpful to learn new tricks and techniques. When you are getting a massage, encourage your masseuse to attempt these tricks too!