Learn the Effluerage Massage Technique

I've published a few articles out on the general topic of how to give a massage. I will post them here over time.

In one, one of the massage techniques that is most common is discussed. This is the technique of effleurage. It is the general technique used in the massage style of Swedish massage which is the most common massage therapy style.

Effluerage is conducted, mostly, with the palm of the hand making long stroking motions. Different amounts of pressure are applied depending upon the part of the body being massaged and the intent of the massage. A massage that is part of a romantic evening for two will be different from a massage given as part of sports massage therapy.

You can consider effluerage to be the first of the strokes to learn as part of how to give a massage. It is easily practiced on the major large muscles of the back.

Learn How to Give a Massage Together

What a great idea from this article! You know how special a massage can be. So special you came to this site to learn about how to give a massage. And nothing is better than getting a massage from your loved one or giving a massage to your loved one.

But, as this article suggests, a very special gift would be for both of you to enroll in a class to learn how to give massage with the outcome that you have each other to practice on. The best thing would be the very romantic and special graduation party you could have just between the two of you practicing all that you have learned. A really great idea!

We'll be seeing some more tips from this article, so you might want to check her site out as well...especially if you are interested in having a happy her. ;-)

Mood and Warmth are First Considerations in How to Give a Massage

First things first in how to give a massage. Giving a massage starts with setting the mood and
environment in which you will give the massage. As one of the intentions of massage is for the
person receiving it to relax, the place where it takes place should be quiet and restful. Calming low music playing can add to the restful atmosphere you are trying to create.

Although your first inclination may be to set up your quiet restful environment in a room within a building, don't overlook the realxing areas that might be available to you outside. This is especially true if you are an outdoorsy person. Outside near the beach where you can hear the waves rolling up on the beach or beside a babbling brook listening to the water rolling down over the rocks can help begin releases all the stress and tension you hope massage will remove from your body.

However, another important component of setting the mood and environment is to have a warm place to conduct the massage. As we relax, our heart rate slows and we begin to cool down. If oils are used, those too could cool you down. It is best to maintain a comfortably warm temperature. 70 to 75 degrees is normally consider to be the zone but you may find you like it a little warmer. Keep towels and draping sheets available and after the massage, be sure to cover yourself or whoever you are massaging to maintain a comfortable body temperature and keep the relaxation going.

For more information on how to give a massage, you might want to consider the ebook listed in the left hand column. Good thing about an ebook is that you can always print another copy if you get oil all over it while trying to learn how to give a massage. ;-)

Pulled Muscles Benefit from Learning How to Give a Massage

Want a good reason why it's good to learn how to give a massage? In an article on speeding up healing found here , the author talks about an Australian study that found if a pulled muscle is tended to by massage therapy within three hours of starting to hurt, the muscle would be 1/3 less sore and swollen than it normally would be three days later with no massage. The massage techniques used relieve the soreness and reduce the swelling besides just feeling good. So learning how to give a massage could just be the best gift you could give yourself or your family.

Massage Techniques Used for Sports

We will give more tips on sports massage as we go along here but first we are still setting things up. You might want to consider learning how to give a massage to help further a loved ones sports efforts. Here's what we mean:

In an press release dated 22 August, there is news of the Cortiva Institute - Pennsylvania School of Muscle Therapy sending therapists along to the Major Lacrosse League Championship to provide sports massage therapy both before and after games. Further details of how the Cortiva Institute got involved with the lacrosse players and what they will be doing at the championship games is provided in this pr release here.

Difficulties of Being a Massage Therapist in Some Towns Still

Used to be and still is to some extent that to find a massage therapist was difficult in some towns. It still can be hard to open a decent massage therapy storefront in some towns due to the old connotations of someone giving someone else a massage. To insure that a massage therapist was actually using massage techniques in an effort to aid and provide health benefits, some towns levied some stiff requirements.

In this article from SGVTribune.com, you can see the requirements to open a massage "establishment" in the town of La Verne. This town had required 500 hours of state board approved instruction and that the massage therapists have national certification. Whew! Now they have lowered it to 300 hours with a recognized school if they have 1000 hours, and can prove it, of experience as a massage therapist. Ouch! Wonder how they have to prove that. And if you can't work till you get 1000 hours, then guess you have to get that 1000 hours outside the town.

This just goes to show the long way some people have had to go to overcome the old image of massage therapy. Even in my own nearby town, there has been a good deal of discussion between the local authorities and those wanting to offer massage therapy in their establishments.

So as you go along your travels to learn to be a massage therapist or just learn how to give a massage to that someone special with the tips you pick up here, realize what a long road some have had to travel to give legitimacy to what is a grand health giving profession.

Welcome to the Newest Blog about Massage Techniques and Tips on How to Give a Massage

You come back from a long trip and walk into your home to be greeted by your loved one. The lights are low and the music is soothing. Better yet, there are scented candles burning in your favorite scent scattered around the room. What awaits you?

If you are very lucky, the first thing that awaits is a warm bath to ease your travel weary muscles. As you finish getting clean and and relaxing a bit, maybe even with a nice glass of wine, you are lead to your bedroom where further comfort and relaxation await. After you lie on your bed, you hear a top being removed from a bottle by the tinkling sound it makes. In just a moment, your back is being rubbed with a warmed scented oil and the wonderful massage begins. Slowly the last of your fatigue leaves your body as your muscles are kneaded and you feel as if you are sinking right into the bed.

What awaits you further on this night I will leave to your imagination. Perhaps just the best sleep you've had since you left on this trip. Perhaps...later.

If the above scenario arouses any desire in you for such an event, then just maybe the articles and tips for how to give a massage posted here can lead to this scene. You may be on the receiving end or on the giving end, but how nice it will be to learn how to give a massage. We'll look at different massage techniques and the different ways massage is used in therapy as well. I hope you will enjoy this little adventure as we bring you news, articles and tips from around the web.