The full body massage It's one of the best ways to relax the body and regenerate the mind.
Slow movements and the delicacy of touch are able to induce the body into a state of deep relaxation and keep your mind away from negative thoughts: just what you need to eliminate stress of everyday life.
In this guide you will find the benefits of massage, its characteristics, the different massage techniques and finally two tutorial complete for a anti-cellulite massage DIY. Let's get started!
Total Body Massage: the benefits
Everyday life, with its hectic routine and its commitments, is often a source of stress, which if neglected for a long time can negatively affect our health.
A total body massage is a great way to take care of ourselves and bring our body back into a state of well-being and harmony.
Let's see in detail why get a massage and what are its main benefits:
Loosening muscle tension
The effect muscle relaxant It is one of the best known benefits: by massaging the muscles, the tension and muscle contractures accumulated during the day are released, helping to free the trigger points.
Relaxed, the body recovers its elasticity At the muscle and joint level, which translates into greater range of motion and a reduced risk of injury during workouts. A more relaxed body is a more flexible and free-moving body!
Decrease in stress and anxiety
Mental stress causes muscle contractions, and when our muscular system is blocked, it sends tension signals throughout the body. How can we break this vicious cycle?
Relieving muscle tension with massage techniques will restore balance to every part of our body. During a massage, the mind enters a state of deep relaxation, reactivating the proper functioning of all internal systems. After a stress-relieving massage, we will feel regenerated in body and mind, and our energy will be restored.
Remedy for cellulite
Did you know that massage is a powerful ally even in fighting the annoying orange peel?
One of the causes of the cellulite it is the water retention, therefore the stagnation of fluids inside the body: this means that the lymphatic system is not working well.
In this case it is recommended to lymphatic drainage massageFinger pressure applied to the affected areas (buttocks, thighs, abdomen) will promote fluid drainage into the lymph nodes, stimulating the kidneys and facilitating the expulsion of toxins. This will reactivate the drainage system, promoting the elimination of cellulite.
If you are interested in others remedies for cellulite, we at FGM04 have written a complete guide on the topic.
Healthier and brighter skin
Well yes! A massage improves the appearance of our skin in terms of beauty And brightness.
The massage movements in fact remove dead cells present on the surface acting as a scrub, unclogging the underlying pores. This restores the skin's natural elasticity and improves the absorption of nutrients in the products used. The result is healthier, brighter, and purified skin.
Characteristics of total body massage
But How a full body massage works, in practice? Let's see it together right away.
The total massage consists of a gradual manipulation of the body to stimulate different parts of the body, one at a time. Typically, the massage therapist starts at the feet and slowly moves up the legs, back, arms, shoulders, and finally the neck and head.
In the total massage there are ten basic movements and each produces a different stimulus.
In the decontracting massage, for example, pinching, rubbing and kneading are used a lot, as in that Swedish.
In anti-stress massages, as in some types of Ayurvedic massage, maneuvers such as touching and tickling are preferred.
In general, for a toning effect a series of are used decisive and rapid movements, for a calming effect, you will prefer instead slow and delicate maneuvers.
The lightness or pressure of the touch depends partly on the type of massage and partly on the sensitivity of the masseur: do not be afraid to discuss your preferences with him and communicate your sensations to him at all times.
What to wear for a massage?
In general it is advisable to wear a pair of slip or of the very comfortable clothes, which do not impede the therapist's manipulation. Some massages require complete undressing, but the choice is yours, depending on what you feel most comfortable with. In any case, the massage therapist will always cover your intimate areas with a sheet or towel.
To make the hands slide better without creating friction and discomfort on the skin, the use of some natural oilsThe environment in which the massage takes place is very important; a temperature around 25°, soft lighting, low-volume background music or total silence are the ideal conditions to create aatmosphere of complete relaxation.
A relaxation that is tinged with a romantic tone, if you decide to share a couples massage with your sweetheart!
Total body massage techniques
Massage is an ancient body care technique. Over time, various schools of massage have developed, each with its own method suited to a specific need. Let's look at a few:
Shiatsu Massage
The Shiatsu massage It is a type of anti-stress massage of Japanese origin. According to Eastern philosophy, a flow of energy flows through our bodyvital energy (or Ki), but alterations and blockages of this flow would lead to the appearance of imbalances and ailments in the individual.
The aim of shiatsu massage is to eliminate these blockages and thus allow the vital energy to flow freely, enabling the individual to reach a new state of psychophysical harmony.
To do this, the massage therapist will use many different techniques, often using elbows, knuckles, and knees to relieve tension from the back and limbs. These are some of its benefits:
- Reduces states of stress and anxiety
- Melts muscle tension
- Relieves joint disorders
- Improves blood circulation and lymphatic
Shiatsu massage has a duration of 50-60 minutes.
Californian massage
The Californian massage it is a particular type of relaxing massage.
Born in California in the 70s, it aims to achieve a complete psychophysical well-beingThrough the expert touch of the masseur, the body relaxes and gradually releases muscle tension, achieving a state of physical relaxation and mental well-being. Among the many benefits of this massage are:
- Reduces muscle tension
- Lowers blood pressure
- Helps digestion
- Decreases anxieties and stress
- Increases self-esteem and mental confidence
Because its goal is re-establish a correct balance between body and mindIt is no surprise that Californian massage is used to treat ailments such as depression, panic attacks, anorexia and bulimia, indigestion, and insomnia.
The Californian massage usually lasts 90 minutes.
Massage by the method of cupping
There cupping It is a form of body care that has its roots in traditional Chinese medicineWidely used today in the treatment of sports injuries, this type of full-body massage involves the application of cupping jar-like devices to specific points on the body. The goal is to stimulate blood flow to the area and reactivate the proper functioning of the internal systems.
The beneficial actions of cupping are mainly three:
- the release of the connective tissues
- the stimulation of the blood and lymph flow
- a more effective one elimination of toxins by the body
In fact, by acting as a suction cup, the cups stimulate blood and lymphatic circulation, remove toxins and purify the whole organism, regenerating it.
Cupping is typically applied for 5 to 20 minutes, depending on the area and the need. Alternatively, after applying a natural oil to the skin, the cups are glided over larger areas with slow, sinuous movements to better drain fluids from the treated tissues.
Cupping massage is therefore particularly suitable for the cellulite treatmentThe cup's "suction" effect can reduce inflammation in the skin and adipose tissue, restoring proper blood and lymph flow. The reactivated lymph nodes perform a powerful action. draining and remove toxins present in fluids, significantly reducing the unsightly appearance of cellulite.
Do-it-yourself anti-cellulite massage: 2 tutorials
When you have the opportunity, it is always better to go to a massage center to benefit from the treatment of a professionalAs we have seen, there are different massage techniques and each responds to a particular therapeutic need.
Keep in mind, however, that the effects of a massage, especially those that concern the aesthetic sphere, are not immediately visible, in the sense that to obtain benefits in the long term it will be necessary to undergo several sessions and therefore spend a little money.
If you don't want to give up the beneficial effects of a massage and you are looking for a do-it-yourself guide, you're in the right place! Here are two tutorials for a perfect anti-cellulite massage to do at home:
1. Anti-cellulite massage for legs and buttocks
- First, apply a natural oil or a cream all over your leg. anti-cellulite cream to lubricate the skin and prepare it for massage.
- Start at the ankle and climb up to the buttock, with upward movements as if you want to wear a pantyhose, repeating a couple of times making sure you have covered all the areas, including the inner thigh.
- At this point, we can begin the actual massage. Start with the calf: keeping your thumbs on the shin and your fingers on the muscle, massage the area with upward circular movements, increasing the pressure with each stroke. Then stimulate the area with pinches, and finally, caress the entire calf.
- Now move on to the most affected area, from the knee up, and “knead” the thigh Use both hands as if you were kneading bread, moving your fingers outward and then toward the inside of your thigh. This may be helpful. this video.
- Now focus on the femoral: as for the calf, start with upward movements, continue with pinches and finish by caressing the entire area.
- Finally, the gluteus: massage the skin first with circular movements, then move on to pinching and finally “knead” the buttock with increasingly intense pressure.
Once you're done, move on to the other leg. For visible results, we recommend performing this massage after a shower, three times a week, for at least 20 minutes.
2. Anti-cellulite massage with cupping
We saw earlier how the cupping massage It has a particularly effective action against cellulite blemishes: the cup works by draining adipose tissue and stimulating lymphatic circulation.
If you want to give an extra boost to your battle against cellulite, cupping massage is what you need: we at FGM04 have created the Active Cell Oil Kit For a perfect daily massage. Using it is really simple:
- First apply a layer of Active Cell Oil on the skin. Its natural composition makes it a perfect massage oil, plus the phosphatidylcholine it contains actively reduces tissue swelling.
- Make sure it adheres well to the skin anti-cellulite cup of silicone, squeezing the tip of the cup to let the air out.
- Release the cup to create a suction effect.
- Slide the cup along the affected area, making linear, wavy and circular movements.
We recommend using the cupping glass for a 10-minute massage, 3 times a week. Don't forget to drink a glass of water after the massage; it's essential to stay hydrated to eliminate toxins! For a complete treatment against cellulite, you can alternate this quick massage with our Hot Mud And Cold.
Remember to match the massages that we recommended to you with a healthy diet, a good one hydration and a training constant: cellulite has more than one cause and to defeat it we need to fight it on multiple fronts!
Have you tried our tutorials? Share your experience on our Facebook page or on the Instagram profileWe'll be happy to read it!
