Learning how to give a massage is not so hard. You could become a professional massage therapist, or you can take the easy way out and read some of the great tips in the article below. Start right now!

Massages can help you relieve stress and pain. If you experience lots of aches and pains, then you should obtain a massage on a regular basis. If you can not afford regular massages you might want to have a friend massage you regularly, and just see a professional massage therapist whenever you can afford to.

Don’t eat right before your massage appointment. Eating, especially large meals, can cause a feeling of fullness and can make you bloated, which in turn can make your massage a bit uncomfortable. Therefore, make sure you don’t eat less than an hour before your massage so that your food can completely digest. This will let you feel more comfortable in whatever position you are asked to adopt while getting massaged.

The last thing that you want to do is talk your clients ear off during a massage. It is unpleasant to try to relax while the person giving the massage is chit-chatting away. Quiet background music or soft sounds of nature is all that should be heard. You, however, should not make noise unless asked a question.

When you’re done with your massage, you need to rise slowly. Your body has just spend a long period of time face down and relaxed. You may feel dizzy or even faint if you stand up too quick.

Most hard-working athletes are aware of sports massages. Those who enjoy exercise, even if they are not a pro, can take advantage of a good sports massage. They aren’t made for relaxation, but they help you build up your body so that you may avoid injuries or fix those that you have already.

When someone is giving you a massage, be bold and speak up. If you feel that a particular area of your body needs focus, let him or her know. If she is not providing enough intensity to get out those deep knots, you will never get the relief you are seeking without saying something.

Massaging your stomach can help your digestion or get rid of your stomach ache. Just rub your abdomen in a clockwise motion with your palms. This will help your stomach digest food. It is important, however, that you don’t apply a lot of pressure in the abdomen area until digesting has finished.

Incredibly, there is a type of massage everyone can do after eating their meal. Place your hands on your stomach and rub it in gentle circular motions. This helps you with proper digestion.

If you apply oil to someone’s body during the massage process, make sure you allow them to clean up in some way. This is a soothing step that will remove the excess oil. This helps their skin stay healthy, as well.

Don’t forget to provide a tip to your massage therapist. In this business, it is highly appreciated. It’s a good idea to leave a 15% tip like you would at a restaurant. You could even pay more if the masseuse did a wonderful job. If you go back and see the therapist again, that tip will come in handy. It will mean that you’ll get their best at your next visit.

If you are on tons of prescription medication, then you need to consider getting massages. Regular massages are proven to be very beneficial to aching muscles and joints, and they also help you to relax. Find out if your insurance will cover massage visits if you have certain health issues.

The truth is that no massage therapist wants to rub dirty feet. Shower your whole body before your appointment. Your masseuse will appreciate the effort.

Do you exercise regularly? If so, then you should give yourself a massage prior to your exercise and after it so that your muscles receive more blood and recover faster. You can get better circulation in your arms and legs before an exercise by making fists and using a pommeling motion. Once done, rub gently with your palms towards your heart.

After getting a massage, the only thing on your mind is probably a snooze. You probably neglected drinking water. However, it is important to rid your body of toxins.

A soothing environment is best for a truly enjoyable massage. This is all about relaxation and releasing tension. The person is likely to tense up if the area is noisy. The environment should be conducive to sleep. The mood of the room should be very calming through the use of candles and soft music or nature sounds.

Feel courageous enough to thump and apply pressure to tense muscles as you massage. Start gently and solicit feedback from your subject to be certain not to cause pain. If you’re careful in targeting the muscle, pressure will surely relieve pain and stress. Be careful not to use too much pressure near the spine or a joint.

Tell your masseuse what you want. Some massage therapists apply lots of pressure, while others apply very little so make sure you let them know what you like. You’ve spent your hard earned money on a relaxing and rejuvenating massage, so don’t be afraid to speak up and have it your way.

Put the tips from this article to good use next time you decide to give a massage! Keep on eye out for new techniques which can improve your skills. Now that you have confidence in your technique, it’s time for a hands-on demonstration.