4 thrilling tips for the perfect massage

Learn the different techniques 

The most common massage is the Swedish massage, which combines four types of stimulates techniques to relax and heal the muscles. A full body massage uses three of those techniques. Effleurage is a gentle touch on the skin, with little pressure.  You use a circular stroking movement with the palm of your hand, or the padded parts of your finger tips. Petrissage means "to knead" and the movements are similar to kneading bread, meant to compress the underlying muscles and bring relief. Tapotement is the use of soft, rhythmic strokes with the side of your hand. This engages the nervous system and improves blood flow. 

Focus on the muscles, not the bones 

When you're giving a massage, you want to use your hands to work on the muscles in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, legs and feet. Use a soft touch to locate the soft muscles and knead them with your hands. Never put pressure on the person's bones, especially not on the spine and the tailbone. Not sure if a spot is muscle or bone? Gently go over it with a light touch and feel it for a moment. 

Apply pressure, but not too much 

Knead the muscles with your fingers and palms. Use light pressure to stimulate blood flow and relax the muscles. Don't put too much of your body weight into it- being too rough could cause pain or even injury. If the pressure is just right, you should feel the muscles under the skin move and relax. 

Take your time

The person enjoying your massage shouldn't get the impression that you're in a hurry. Working too quickly makes the session less relaxing and effective. Fast movements also can't thoroughly stimulate the muscles. Make sure you take the time to work thoroughly and deeply. A useful tip is to plan your session in advance. Do you have an hour? Then spent 10 minutes on the neck, 20 minutes on the shoulders, and 10 minutes each for the arms, legs, and feet. 

Did this intriguing Valentine's idea make you want to delve further into the fascinating world of  massages? Sign up for a Massage Therapist course now. For the low price of€ 229.00 you can become a true masseur after only 3-6 lessons.