The first step in self-massage is to identify areas of tightness or soreness in your body. Be sure to locate any knots or trigger points that may need special attention. If you’re not sure where these are located it’s best to consult a professional who can advise you on which areas need extra care.
Once identified use your fingertips or knuckles to apply gentle pressure around the area until it begins to relax or soften under your touch. You can also use soothing oils such as lavender or chamomile oil while massaging if desired for an added relaxation effect.
Stretching helps enhance the effects of self-massage by further loosening tight muscles that may have been tightened during exercise or day-to-day activities such as sitting at a desk all day long without much movement throughout the day. Start by warming up with light aerobic activity such as walking slowly then progress into stretches targeting specific areas of concern such as lower back pain relief stretches for people suffering from chronic low back issues due to poor posture habits over time etc. Always be sure not to overstretch yourself beyond what feels comfortable!
When done regularly self massage and stretching should become part of your daily routine like brushing your teeth! The benefits include improved sleep quality, decreased stress levels & improved moods through releasing endorphins feel-good hormones into our system when combined with deep breathing exercises; increased energy & vitality; improved focus & concentration; enhanced athletic performance through increased range of motion; reduced risk of injury due to increased flexibility; improved posture habits & alignment, etc. So don’t forget how important taking care of yourself really is with regular practice you’ll be feeling better than ever before!
