Tag Archives: massage tips

How good is massage envy….?

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In a article, “Massage envy affordable…….” at About Spas.com, author Anita Brown reviews massage envy’s service. As it turns out Anita was happy with her result. Of coarse she insisted on having an experienced therapist   do her massage. She was able to book a therapist with 10 years experience. As she pointed out, Massage Envy has a reputation for mostly hiring therapists fresh out of school therapists. There are only so many experienced therapists to go around.

What the author did not point was why so many fledgling therapists? The answer is, to replace the “old” ones leaving the company. In my opinion, massage envy is a real turn style operation.You know, high turnover.

So what kinda of massage will you receive. I don’t know. But your therapist will likely be fresh out of school. Not everyone will be able to book the experienced therapist. Like musical chairs.

My hands hurt after I give a massage

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How to give a massage without having to need one by the time you finish.

Over the years my clients often tell me….”You must have very strong hands how can you give so many massages and not get tired or injured.” When I give my ………………..a massage my hands always hurt!”If you can relate, don’t feel bad. Even professional therapists have this problem.

In my line of work, now days, therapists last about 1 1/2 years. Not good news. One big reason why is injury. So my advice applies to both the beginner, novice, and to those providing massage for a living.

Lets use a typical massage situation. “Honey, can you rub my shoulders?”

Okay, 1) Before you start massaging lets get warmed up up. Relax your arms, let them dangle comfortably at your side, making sure that your shoulders are not elevated( drawn up by your ears). Now shake your hands vigorously. This loosens your shoulders, arms, all the way down to your fingers. Repeat a few times. Take a deep breath and now stretch your fingers apart wide. Give another shake or two and we are ready to begin the massage

2) align hands with your forearms. In other words keep your wrists straight. If you massage with wrists bent your asking for trouble. It’s kinda of like watering your lawn with a hose that is kinked, the water just can’t get through. To accomplish this you may have to bring your body higher or lower in relation to the shoulders (person) you are massaging.

3) Now place your hands along that muscle on the top part of the shoulder. That muscle is called the Trap muscle. Many people make the mistake of trying to pinch that muscle between the tips of their thumbs and fingers. Instead, allow your hand/fingers to conform to the shape of the muscle, with as much surface to surface contact as possible. Instead of pinching, try rolling the muscle between the fingers and thumb, even lifting the muscle up a bit away from the shoulder.

4) Don’t go at it to long. Build up slowly over time. Just a few minutes. Stop before you feel fatigue.

5) Learn different techniques, learn to use other parts of your anatomy to deliver that massage.

 

How not to get hurt massaging your hubby or significant other

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Ladies, so your new to massage. Maybe you learned massage from a book or some video on U tube.  That’s cool. Good for you, and good for hubby. Now I want you both to enjoy the experience. I want nobody to get hurt. That defeats the whole purpose, yes?

Okay, do you have a massage table? If this is going to be a regular event in your your home you may want to shell out a few bucks for a decent table. Let’s say you have a table. Most come with adjustable legs. So adjust the height. The rule of thumb is …..with u standing next to the table with your arms comfortably extended and the knuckles of hands resting on the tables surface. That is you initial adjustment. Now if hubby is a little more “thick” or bit “thinner” than the average guy then you might want to adjust up or down a notch to make up the difference.

Now the more hunched over you are while delivering massage the more likely  you are to hurting your back, conversely, the more your work (hubby) is jammed up near your body the chance increases of injury to your shoulders and upper extremities, up to the hands and fingers.

As you are new to massaging, remember, take it easy on yourself and build up slowly. Perhaps, your session should be only a couple minutes or so every other day as you slowly build up the stamina, strength and dexterity to give more. If he complains wanting more time just go ahead and blame me. You know, even after 20 years plus my clients want more too, but to finish the race you gotta pace. If you suspect your loved one has a medical condition, by all means, see a doctor.

 

Before you massage Part1- get ready to slow down

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During any massage there is a dynamic energy exchange between the giver and receiver. Be sure that when you provide massage that you are in the right state of mind. Be RELAXED.

Whatever you are experiencing will be transferred to your client,   hubby, friend, whomever. “Transference”  is not a new idea, physiologists experience that with there patients. When your in physical contact with a person it’s easy to send your bad vibes out to them. To be fair, that works both ways

Don’t begin a massage when your not ready. If your a professional therapist you may be thinking…I don’t want to turn down any work. Let me assure you, in that state, your work will not impress your client. That is the worse kind of advertising. Believe me they will know.

So then maybe your wondering how do I prepare myself to give a great massage?  See part 2