Can A Massage Really Benefit You?

A long day at the office, a day looking after screaming kids, perhaps you have not had much sleep or you are dehydrated, maybe you are just over worked, a little bit stressed, there are so many reasons why we get tense, stiff, uncomfortable and people in these situations always get fairly bad migraines. There are many ways in which people can try to unload some of this stress to try feel more relaxed, many methods can be pointless and time consuming and usually relatively expensive. If you already find yourself a bit stressed you do not want to find yourself even more stressed due to the prices and so on. One of the most effective ways to relieve any kind of stress or pain is through a massage.

Many people when they are told to have this treatment, or are recommended to have it just shrug it off; they see it as an unnecessary expense. This is usually the viewpoint of most people as they do not understand how it works properly.

When administering this pressure is applied, this is to manipulate the body in a structured way, usually manipulating the muscles. There are different types of pressure which can be used; motion, vibration, kneading, or with mechanical aids which can be purchased for home use.

Different types of oils will be used during your treatment; this will depend on the type you want, a relaxing treatment is likely to use relaxing oils, or you can have a sports treatment which will use some basic oils.

There are many reasons why people should look into getting this treatment, regardless of whether they are in pain, just feel stiff or need to release some tension. One problematic area where people tend to feel pain or discomfort often is the head so this is an effective and increasingly popular treatment to get rid or alleviate headaches.

There is a lot more to it than can be explained effectively here however placing pressure on the temples on a person’s head, and manipulating the muscles in the face can release all pressure and tension a person has had building up which results in them having a headache.

Sometimes it is important to self indulge, to spend a bit of money which you perhaps should not on yourself just to feel pampered and rejuvenated and to get rid of horrible aches and pains such as a headache. Getting a massage will not cost much at all, especially when you compare it to how amazing you feel afterward, it is surely worth it.

How Can A Massage Help You?

One of the most effective and non invasive treatments of getting rid of any type of pain you may be experiencing is by having a massage. You know those days where nothing goes wrong, or you were told to work longer than you thought, maybe you worked a little too hard to meet your goals or got stressed out with the household chores, it is no surprise that with modern lives being as hectic as they now are that more people are seeking ways where they can relax or alleviate some pain if they can. Getting this treatment is effective but many people can often be put off as they believe it to be expensive.

If a person has never had this treatment before, and does not understand what it is exactly, then they are more than likely to shrug it off. They will see it as an unnecessary expenditure, instead of a necessary treat for them.

In a treatment different types of pressure will be applied, these can be by motion, by vibration, by kneading or by various electronic aids which you can purchase to use at home. This pressure is applied so the body and muscles are manipulated in order to leave a person feeling relaxed.

As well as different types of pressure, different oils are also used; this will depend on what kind of treatment you are after. If you would like a relaxing treatment then relaxing, aromatherapy oils will be used for example.

This treatment should not just be gotten because a person is in pain; there are other reasons why they should. Generally people get them to alleviate pain or to release some tension to feel relaxed. One increasingly popular area people are getting this treatment is on their heads, so as to get rid of headaches or the discomfort associated with them.

This is becoming popular with heads and headaches because it is so effective. Different types of pressure are applied on the temples of a person’s head. Using different pressures the muscles can be manipulated more to release all tension and discomfort a person may have had.

Sometimes it can be hard to justify spending a lot of money on yourself, especially on something which may seem a bit trivial. Sometimes you just have to throw caution to the wind. Having a massage, wherever your trouble area may be – head, back, legs or arms, can be the best way to alleviate any uncomfortable areas, tension prone areas or to relieve yourself of some pain.

Should You Get A Massage To Alleviate Head Pain?

How many times do people browse through articles or talk to friends and hear the phrase massages are too expensive, I would love one but it just is not an option? Too often! Many people are put off of having this treatment because they believe they cannot afford it. They do not even turn their attentions to it being one of the most effective non invasive treatments to alleviate pain. They go through their days; a long day at the office, working too hard, a stressful day at home, without considering getting a bit of me-time and relaxing through one of these treatments.

We all need to be treated every now and then. Too many people will shrug having this treatment off due to believing it will cost too much, but when you weigh the potential cost against the potential benefit it is certainly worth it.

This treatment works by manipulating a person’s body or muscles in order to leave them feeling less tense. To do this various types of pressure can be applied. Such as; by motion, vibration, kneading, or mechanical aids so you can do it yourself at home.

Relaxing treatments will be administered through the use of relaxing aromatherapy oils, there are small things like this which vary from treatment to treatment to ensure you are getting the best one for you.

Many people just think of backs when they think of this treatment but there is another popular area, which is the head. More people are getting this treatment when they have a bad headache to relieve them of the pain. There are many reasons why you should get this treatment and it ranges from pain relief, to relieving tension and discomfort, to sheer relaxation.

By using different types of pressure on the head, the muscles can be manipulated further which is useful specifically on the temple area of a person’s head when trying to alleviate pain from a headache. It is no wonder why this is becoming increasingly popular.

Horrible aches and pains can really put a damper on your mood and how you spend your day or week, depending on how bad your pain is. It is a shame that so many put up with the pain just because they think they cannot afford it. However, considering the great pain relief, tension relief or just relaxation you can get, a massage is certainly worth the price.

If you are new to the spa concept, or have never been to a day spa, you may find yourself a little confused with terminology. For example, things like reflexology and microdermabrasion may sound like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. If you do not understand these terms, it can be hard to decide on spa packages or spa treatment options. As such, you may find the following definitions of common spa terminology helpful before you start shopping for a spa package.

• Microdermabrasion. This is a process by which light abrasion is used to remove the outer most layer of dead skin. It is most often used on the face, neck, and chest – areas that are commonly exposed to the most toxins and harmful UV rays. The result is smoother, younger, more radiant skin. Not all day spa centers offer this procedure.

• Reflexology. Many scientists and medical professionals believe that the bottom of the feet provide an access point to the rest of the body. Through careful application of pressure on certain points in the feet, tension is alleviated, circulation improves, and as a result, organs function more effectively. This provides relief from all types of pain and tension, as well as encouraging your body to expel toxins.

• Infrared Sauna. Several day spa centers offer this specialized form of sauna session. By using infrared technology, the body is warmed in a sauna safely and effectively. Far infrared saunas provide all the benefit of sitting in a sauna to sweat out toxins and rejuvenate skin, but without the risks associated with steam baths.

• Ear Candling. This procedure may sound strange, but it is actually pretty basic. By removing excess ear wax and other build ups in the ear, those who suffer from chronic headaches, sinus problems, hay fever allergies, and other discomforts associated with the ear often find relief. As an all-natural option, there is no medication involved and no trips to the doctor or pharmacy to find relief.

When pursuing information or options available at various day spa facilities, be sure to ask spa employees to explain any procedures or treatments with which you are unfamiliar. These folks are accustomed to explaining not only what each treatment is, but what benefits it can offer you. If you do not know what a particular treatment is called, simply explain what discomforts you feel or what experience you would like to try. They can then highlight what they offer without the fancy terminology.

There is nothing like getting a massage. You walk in with tight muscles, pain in your back and stress up the Wazoo but when you come out all your troubles are kneaded away by the very capable hands of the therapist administering the massage. Imagine if you can provide the same feeling for the people that you love, like your spouse or girlfriend. The rewards may not come in monetary remunerations but you can definitely see it in the way she looks at you and the perks you will be getting afterwards.

To be able to provide the best possible massage you must begin with the proper setting. For an intimate therapeutic session to be successful the venue has to have the right conditions. To set the mood right, make sure that the lights are dimmed. If the room you are planning to use does not have a dimmer, then one can turn off the lights and light up some candles. Make sure that your area is also quiet because you need that silence in order to avoid distractions.

Aside from the venue, you also need to provide some paraphernalia that will make the massage itself pleasurable. The first thing you will need is some aromatic oils. One can buy specialized oils that have aroma therapeutic benefits. If you do not have access to massage oils, you can also make use of various lotions. If that still does not appeal to you, consider using vegetable oil because it has the right viscosity to help your hand glide through the body.

Aside from Massage oils, you also need some way to cover the areas that you have finished massaging. After a rubdown, heat is generally generated. This heat can be healing to the muscles but it can also easily dissipate if left exposed. A simple towel should suffice as an effective cover for those aching muscles.

Now that we have all the preparation covered it is now time to get to the massage itself. Before you begin, have her lie face down on a soft but firm surface. A firm mattress or a futon should be excellent options. Straddle her while being mindful of your weight. Start with soft and slow strokes using the palm of your hand. This will get her used to your touch. Once she grows accustomed to your touch, you can start focusing on larger muscle groups. Start with the back with some soft kneading. With a soft relaxing voice, speak to her to ensure that your pressure is not too hard or too soft.
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To conclude you massage, wipe off any excess oils. This will signify that the session is over. Make sure to spend some time with your partner and talk about the whole experience. Also, make sure that there is something to drink available, like tea or juice, because people are usually thirsty after a good rubdown.

As a massage therapist, I work hard to earn repeat customers by way of offering a great service at a price that reflects value for money.

Getting to know a customer and their likes and dislikes over time makes the massage much more easier. Massaging is a highly personal service so any familiarity built over time, helps both the massage therapist and the client relax into what is a very enjoyable experience.

Where there is no ‘standard’ rate of frequency for being massaged, most Massage Therapists would suggest one massage per month is a standard rate of frequency for a repeat customer. More sessions may be required depending on whether an injury or health concern is being treated.

So what happens when a customer starts booking massages weekly, or twice per week, for no reason other than they just ‘like being massaged and massaged by you in particular. In any other profession, accelerated frequency of a customer is a welcome event. In the world of massage, it may actually cause concern to the Massage Therapist.

Could this customer be addicted to massage? If they are, is this a negative thing?

One often associates addition to what are regarded as negative habits – smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, excessive gambling, etc. Or, addiction is often associated to events that give people a ‘rush’ of sorts. High impact sports, bungee jumping, sky diving, etc. But massage? The act of being pampered into slumber!

If we break it down, my belief is that our society has become one where ‘touching’ others is at the very least, avoided – think about the discomfort of standing close to others in an elevator, or how one says ‘sorry’ when they accidentally touch by someone in the street (well most of the time). Consider how we bustle for our own patch of turf on public transport. How we act in the workplace is highly regulated and ‘touching’ of any type may point toward sexual harassment. I don’t disagree with the need to protect all in a workplace against any form of discrimination.

Human beings are programmed to be social – we seek community and we seek the company of others.

Now think about a person, who is either single or in a non affectionate ‘non touching’ relationship. They wake up and go to work and in every instance where they have ‘touched’ someone albeit accidentally, they apologise.

It is actually possible that some people in our society today go through whole days, or even months and never get ‘purposely touched’ in a positive, healing, way by someone.

Could some be using massage as a way of simply being touched? Where does someone go who yearns being touched in a non sexual, healing, pampering way go?

In a society where touching is avoided, discouraged or legislated against, one can see how easily some may become addicted to what in its essence, is a basic human need – being touched.

It is wonderful to achieve relaxation and stress relief by learning these simple massage techniques. A masseur can also vary certain elements, depending on whether the subject wants an intense or calming experience.

Increasing the speed and/or pressure will instantly transform a gentle, relaxing session into a deep tissue experience. The quantity of oil used will depend upon the amount of pressure desired. The more oil, the lighter the pressure.

Most sessions begin with a greeting to the subject’s body. A resting stroke is used, which is exactly what its name implies. One places the hands (usually on the back) for several moments. In addition to establishing a comfortable subject relationship, this stroke also tells the nerves that the masseur is friend, not foe. One can return to the resting stroke as many times as desired.

The actual session usually begins and/or ends with light effleurage of the surface only. The practitioner will skim the surface of the skin with four fingers, as though he is brushing away crumbs. The stroke can move in any direction on the body.

It is easy to transition into whole hand effleurage, which uses a moderate amount of pressure to stroke with the whole hand. Effleurage can also be applied with the heel of the hand and the forearms.

Next, the masseur moves on to a deeper technique, slowly compressing and releasing the large muscles of your thighs, with a slight upward pressure at the end of the stroke. This stroke tends to start out slowly and build in intensity, to condition the muscles. Sometimes the pressure is increased with each stroke.

The fourth stroke is kneading, which feels really good on the shoulders. This stroke involves pulling and rolling, just like working dough. It can be performed in a circular motion. The next technique, ischemic compression, is all about applying pressure with the thumb or the fist to the balls of the feet, both sides of the spine, the palms or anywhere the subject needs relief.

The main stroke of Swedish massage involves simultaneously pressing and rolling on the body. The practitioner may use the elbows for extra intensity. Pressure should only be applied to the client’s comfort level, and not beyond.

When an energizing effect is desired, the masseur will finish up the session with tapotement. This stroke is performed by rhythmically rapping with the sides of the hands. For a more relaxing conclusion, have the masseur complete the massage by slowly repeating the effleurage stroke.

The subject should feel substantially refreshed after this experience.

Massage Techniques For Quick Relaxation

Sitting back, relaxing and just letting go of stress is a benefit of becoming proficient with a few easy massage moves. A masseuse can add variety by tailoring the experience to be either deep or grounding.

Maximizing the rapidity or pressure can quickly change a mild, calming experience into a more intense type of bodywork. The amount of lubricant can change according to the end result that the client wants. Additional lubricant yields a milder session.

The masseuse should first introduce touch gradually, by resting the hands on the client’s back. It only takes an instant for the client to become familiar with a stranger’s presence. The resting stroke also informs the subject’s nerve endings that it is safe to relax. A masseuse can repeat this technique throughout the massage.

The main part of the rub can start and finish with smooth rhythmic stroking exclusively on the skin. The masseuse may brush the body with all fingers except the thumb, just like removing lint from a suit. This technique can progress across the body in a multitude of ways.

Next, the masseuse changes the tempo by rhythmically stroking with the entire hand. This technique employs more force than four-finger effleurage. The masseuse may also use the palms and the arms to perform this stroke.

A professional masseuse can intensify the therapy by deepening her strokes, languidly pressing and letting go of the broad muscle groups in the upper leg. She finishes this portion of the therapy by pushing up on the muscle, which is stretched and relaxed. Another approach is to press harder each time she performs the motion.

A fourth technique is compressing and turning the muscles, and works especially well on the upper arms. Just check out a kitten trying to get its mothers milk, and it is easy to understand what this motion entails. One can also press on a particular spot with one finger or a tightened hand to the bottoms of the feet, muscles near the mid-back, the insides of the hands or on any sore spot.

If the masseuse is performing Esalen style techniques, she may do a stroke that compresses and rotates. She may apply her fists to increase the pressure.

To increase circulation, a masseuse will apply percussive strokes on the larger muscle groups. She does this by tapping on them. If the client wants to end on a calmer note, the masseuse can perform some additional effleurage.

If all of the techniques were employed properly, the client will feel ready to resume their day with greater energy after a massage.

Seven Massage Strokes For Instant Stress Relief

It is easy to master these seven strokes that can reduce stress and facilitate the patron’s well-being. Massage therapists are capable of fine tuning their approach for either deeper therapeutic or more nurturing results.

Speeding up or slowing down and/or using extra compression can measurably transform the recipient’s perception of the session, from one of feeling that their needs are ignored, to feeling that they derived significant benefits. Most practitioners can provide exactly the experience that an individual might seek. Add more lotion for a softer, gentler rub.

First the therapist will gently touch the back, just to say to the patron’s body: “hi, I’m about to start the session.” This immediately calms and reassures the recipient both somatically and mentally. Use of the resting stroke can occur numerous times during the session.

Now comes the main event. Just the skin’s surface is rubbed with an open and relaxed hand. This technique is performed lightly and fluidly on as much of the body surface as desired.

The therapist varies the rhythm by transitioning into a regularly cadenced rubbing motion. Generally, a practitioner will press harder as the session progresses, unless the recipient indicates otherwise. Therapists use an open hand or the forearms to execute this maneuver.

Next, stronger strokes are applied, unhurriedly applying pressure to major tendons in the legs. This movement draws to a close with an upstroke applied to the tissues, alternately extending and allowing the muscles to rest. Gradually intensifying the stroke also works well.

Pressing down and rotating the fibrous tissue comes next in the sequence, which is a good move to use on the appendages. This method of working the body is similar to milking a cow. Alternatively, the therapist will compress a specific area (such as the foot, the spine or the hands) with a single digit or fist. Any aches and pains will respond well to this type of attention.

Swedish manipulation involves squeezing and turning the body’s fibrous tissue. Using a clenched hand will allow the practitioner to apply more force to the desired area.

Drumming energizes and enhances the flow of blood to any part of the body, especially extensive muscle masses. Drumming is performed with the edges of the hands. For a more restful end to the session, more light and fluid strokes can be used.