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Massage therapy is the physical manipulation of the soft tissue of the body. Massage techniques are most frequently applied by using fingers, palms, elbows, forearms, heels, or some type of device. The main objective of massage is usually for the aid of body pain or anxiety. Using massage in sports medicine has increased over the years as athletes have been encouraged to relax and stretch after intense exercise.  
  
It's not tough to learn how to give a great massage - there are many books and courses available from your massage practitioner. However, if you want to give a massage yourself, it can be a tricky task. You don't need to understand how to massage a complex instrument and carry out complicated strokes. There are a number of things you can do to make your massage for more gentle, even if you're just getting started with massage. Here are some tips that may assist you with massage methods.  
  
A massage therapy session is only effective if you relax and let yourself go. Deep tissue massage is a fantastic way to relax and release tension. A Swedish massage uses slow, firm strokes to relieve muscle tension. It's best used for those who wish to feel relief and that already experience some mild to moderate discomfort or anxiety.  
  
Muscle tissue massage techniques involve applying pressure to specific regions of the body. You need to target tight muscles and minimize loosening of tight muscles. Deep tissue massage has been shown to increase blood flow and decrease inflammation. It's also been shown to improve circulation and reduce swelling after an injury or surgery.  
  
You can help your therapist during a massage therapy session by stretching and moving your muscles. Moving the muscles when you are stressed helps to alleviate some of the tightness in your muscles. However, you should take care to avoid injuries as your therapist does his or her job by using the smallest amount of pressure on the muscles as you can. Bear in mind, when muscles have been stretched too much, they become inflamed and sore.  
  
If you would like a soothing, relaxing massage, you may want to focus on relaxation. The relaxing oils used in a gentle massage can decrease tension and increase relaxation. There are many aromatherapy oils available on the market today that works at providing relaxation through bodily as well as mental means. Lavender oil, chamomile, geranium, orange blossom, rose, Rosemary and thyme are typical oils that provide a calming effect.  
  
If you are having a massage with another person, it's important that you both engage in total body massage. During a professional massage, the whole body receives massage pressure. This is different from a massage that is done on your own. During a professional massage, the whole body receives massage pressure from head to toe. If you don't feel comfortable with this sort of massage, you may want to go for a different kind of massage where one individual massages the entire body.  
  
After a massage, the massage therapist usually provides you a rubdown. This usually includes a comprehensive massage with massage oil and kneading. A rubdown is a followup massage in which the massage therapist uses light touches to stimulate your skin cells to eliminate tension.  
  
Sports massage is a fantastic option if you're trying to give your muscles and cells a massage. Since sports massage uses light touches only, it is usually easier than the entire body massage. Sports massage can last for 60 minutes. If you don't have enough time to get a complete sports massage, you can choose to get a massage, Brazilian massage, jiu jitsu massage or a sauna massage instead.  
  
Tissue massage is used to treat chronic problems areas like pain or swelling. This is usually combined with heat or cold treatment to stimulate blood circulation. This technique can be used to treat problems areas everywhere from the bottoms of the feet to the throat. Tissue massage is a superb way to improve circulation. Cold stones are often used during a tissue massage to stimulate the lymphatic system to eliminate waste products from your system.  
  
Prenatal massage is another great way to alleviate some of the stress that comes with pregnancy. Many health professionals recommend prenatal massage to assist couples feel more relaxed and stress free before and after birth. The technique is straightforward; the massage therapist will loosen muscles, stretch and pull at tense areas on the body to reduce discomfort and promote a sense of well being. Prenatal massage can be done in the comfort of your own home and can be a wonderful stress reliever.