Massage therapy is one of the best things you can do for your mind, body and soul. When done properly, a massage can renew the way that you feel in just minutes. Below, you will find a guide to use to find the best massage that will alleviate many of the discomforts you have.

Are you struggling with stretch marks? Massage the stretch marks with cocoa butter to help get rid of stretch marks. This will result in tissue growth, helping the stretch marks appear less prominent.

When your feet hurt, you hurt all over. Relieve the pain with a good foot massage you can do on your own or someone can do it for you. Stroke your foot with your thumb from the base of your heel to your toes. This motion should go back and forth across your foot at the same time.

Ease your aching feet! Your feet are under pressure all day long and are often ignored when it comes to a healing massage. Massage your toes, gently stretching them out until they feel relaxed. Use your thumbs to put pressure on the sole of your foot, slowly moving from the toes to the heel. For feet that are particularly achy you can apply more pressure by kneading the sole with your knuckles. Finally, treat your tired feet with a rich moisturizer.

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.

Consider massaging your body prior to exercising and immediately afterwards too. Massaging prior to working out helps raise blood flow into all of your muscles. And after a workout, a quick massage helps your muscles recover a lot quicker. It’s definitely worth the extra five minutes before and after exercise!

Use candles to set the mood. Candles provide subtle lighting, while simultaneously creating a relaxing atmosphere. Scented candles are also a great idea. Place them evenly throughout the room, at varying elevations. It is also important to be safe when using candles. Keep them away from hanging fabric such as curtains.

Before you give a massage, stretch all of the areas that you are planning to use. This means that you will need to stretch your fingers, arms, neck, back and legs so that you can reduce cramps during your massage and get all areas involved. If you are providing a long massage session, stretching is imperative.

When you are giving a person a massage, be sure to always keep one hand on them at all times. This helps the client to feel secure and remain in a relaxed state. Move slowly and steadily with confidence, and the person being massaged will feel comfortable and be able to enjoy the experience.

When giving a massage, remember to relax yourself. If you are holding a lot of tension, it will be more difficult to maneuver your hands in a way that provides a great massage. The tension will also show through in your attention to each area of the body and the overall feel of the room.

A great massage technique for reliving shoulder pressure is providing yourself with a bear hug. To do this, put the right hand on the left shoulder and the left hand on the right shoulder. Tightly press on each shoulder and release. Do this three times. Finally, begin to work your hands down your arms squeezing and then letting go until you get to your wrists.

If you are giving a deep tissue massage, incorporate your elbows into it. This may feel uncomfortable at first for the person you are massaging, but is a fantastic way of spreading out the muscle and causing a very pleasurable sensation. Never push too hard though, as this will then feel uncomfortable.

Make sure that you are in a relaxing environment when you are giving a massage. This is entirely about releasing tension and relaxation. Too much noise or too many distractions will be stressful. The given environment should encourage sleep. Put on soft music and dim the lights, and you will achieve this calm effect.

When you are giving a massage, the atmosphere you provide will do wonders for your partner. Try using soft music in the background to relax your partner. Diffuser oils and candles will relax your partners senses and make them feel at ease. Also using low or soft lighting will help your partner relax and get into the mood for a great massage.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you have to spend a lot of money to get a good massage. Meanwhile, it is human nature to choose well known spas, a smaller center or a massage school can offer the same services. Sometimes lesser known places offer better massages than their more expensive counterparts, for half the price.

If you have a less than pleasant experience having a massage, try not to write them off completely. Everyone has their own style and techniques and no two massage therapists are the same. Ask for a recommendation from a friend for someone new, and explain your experience to them so they can do their best to make your massage with them as pleasant as possible.

Now that you know how to find a great massage therapist for your personal needs, You can get to work trying to find one. Schedule an appointment and prepare yourself for the most relaxing experience of your life. Before you know it, you will feel refreshed, renewed and ready to take on another day.