Performing a massage at home can be a rewarding experience for both parties. You only need minimal supplies and a few techniques. This article has some great tips and tricks to get you started. Continue reading to discover how to give fantastic massages to all of your friends and family.

If you decide to get a massage in the comfort of your own home, take a hot shower first. The hot water will help relax your muscles through the penetrating heat. This will ensure that your massage is more comfortable and any aches or pains are eliminated before the start.

Hydrate yourself after receiving a massage. Your muscles will release a lot of toxins while they are massaged, and you might experience stress if you do not purify your body from these toxins. Drink a lot of water before and after your massage and be very careful about your hydration if you get massages regularly.

If you suffer from back pain, especially in your lower back, having regular massages could be very beneficial. Having a professional relax your muscles can really work wonders and prevent you from further back injuries. It can also help with back spasms, which can be very painful and sometimes debilitating.

When you head out to get a massage, be open-minded about all there is to offer. The process is not always something that you may know about. Do not allow this to discourage you from liking it. Try to just let yourself relax and enjoy the massage that you are receiving.

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.

Make use of scented candles whenever giving a massage. The candles will allow you to see (without disturbing the patient) and they help create a relaxing ambiance in the room. Scented candles can help improve the quality and feel of the massage environment.

One simple way to give a massage is to use a “raking” technique. This is done by spreading your fingers and using your fingertips. Start in the shoulder area then move your fingers in a raking motion down the back. Make sure the fingers move along the spine not on top of the spine. While one hand moves up move the other one down in alternating motion.

Do you suffer from high blood pressure? Whether it is hereditary or caused by stress it can be dangerous. If you are looking for a way to lower your blood pressure a bit, try having a massage. Massages are a great way to relieve stress and tension. They have also been proven to lower peoples blood pressure significantly.

If you are suffering from back pain and traditional back massages are not alleviating the pain, try a hand massage. Firmly press into the meaty area between your thumb and index finger and gently massage. This type of massage is especially effective for muscle spasms and pulled back muscles.

Avoid holding your breath while your massage therapist is working. You may have knots that are extremely painful, yet the therapist cannot massage them out effectively if you hold your breath. Try to breathe through the muscle pain, and use a combination of deep breathing and visualization. In your mind, picture the area and imagine the knot is a lump of butter, melting in the warm sunshine.

The feet are an often overlooked area that needs to be massaged. There are many pressure points in the feet that can relax the body as a whole and give the entire body a sense of well being. Focus on one foot at a time and use as much pressure as your partner will allow.

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.

Hydrate, hydrate. A massage loosens lymph fluid, lactic acid and other toxins from your soft tissues. This is part of what makes your muscles feel so nice afterward. However, if you are dehydrated, there is no way for these toxins to leave your system. This could leave you feeling sore and slightly nauseated after your massage, which defeats the whole effort and wastes money. So, make sure you drink up!

If you feel as though your complexion is looking a little dull, or you are noticing little wrinkles forming in places around your face, you do not have to run to the plastic surgeon! Giving yourself a daily face massage will promote blood flow to your skin, brightening it up and making those wrinkles virtually disappear.

Make sure that if you use massage oil on someone during a massage, give them the opportunity to shower off when you’re done. The shower will wash the oil away and provide a soothing effect. Also, it is imperative to get all of the oil off for the health of the skin.

As you can see, giving a home massage does not take a lot of special equipment or skills. Implement the suggestions you have just read and watch the quality of your massages improve dramatically. You will amaze those people lucky enough to benefit from your newly discovered massage skills.