Tense, tight, muscles call for a massage. If you can't seem to kick sore shoulders and aching joints, you need to get yourself over to a massage salon, asap. In the right hands your post-workout knots or desk-induced backache can be massaged away within minutes. From intense pressure-point massages designed to penetrate the lower layers of muscle, to a calming aromatherapy session to help you unwind, a good massage therapist should leave you feeling limber, restored and utterly relaxed. And don't worry if you're pregnant or suffer from an injury, there's plenty of massage techniques that will work for you. Your therapist is trained to tailor the experience to your individual needs.
Any well-trained massage therapist will know how to get to the route of your aches and pains, but they should always discuss your goals for the massage, the intensity and the areas of tension you'd like them to focus on before they start. It's possible to personalise your massage by selecting certain aromatherapy oils to relax, soothe or de-stress your mind and body. Massages aren't just designed to knead away pain, they also make for the most luxurious of treats you know.
The minute you step into the massage salon you should feel yourself starting to relax instantly. Tranquil music, calming decor and an a real sense of zen help to sweep over your senses, all this before you've even got into the treatment room! Whether you're dashing in for an express massage on your lunch break, or treating yourself to a 90-minute session, your massage therapist should ensure you feel relaxed and comfortable from start to finish. Some treatments are performed while sitting up in a specially designed massage chair, while others are done in a traditional massage bed. Regardless of which massage you choose, the relaxing end result should always be the same!
