Self-massage is one of the quickest and most affordable solutions to achieve muscle pain relief. The following massage tips are very simple. Anyone can do them. These recommendations can help prevent injuries, improve mobility and alleviate pain.

Although this is safe advice given by a professional registered massage therapist, please discontinue if you experience any pain or consult with your doctor if you have any specific health condition before you try them.

1. Observe and adjust your postural habits: Are your legs crossed when sitting? Do you sit on your wallet? Must you turn your neck to the side to look at your computer screen? Do you do repetitive movements? Do you tend to carry your child on the same side of your body? If you answered yes to any of these questions, chances are you are creating muscle imbalances, which, even though may seem harmless now, are in fact precursors to injuries. Correcting the source is the best way to eliminate pain.

2. Hydrotherapy: To ice or not to ice? That is the question most often asked when it comes to injuries and muscle pain relief. When in doubt, use ice for a maximum of 10 minutes. Ice is normally used to decrease inflammation (an excessive healing reaction that causes pain, redness, swelling and heat), which usually occurs during a sudden accident like an ankle sprain. Heat is only used once there is no more inflammation. Its job is to improve circulation, which promotes healing. It calms the nervous system and decreases chronic muscle tension. 20 minutes is sufficient.

3. Self-massage: Tennis or golf balls are practical tools when you need instant muscle pain relief. You can roll the ball on your neck and shoulder with the palm of the hand to relieve tight neck muscles. By simply placing the ball on the floor you can lay your upper back (the fleshy area between your spine and your shoulder-blade) or your lower back (avoiding the spine) on top of it. Keep your knees bent as you use your legs to control your body rolling over the ball. Another self-massage tip for sciatica is to sit on the ball on a chair using your hands over the armrest for support and pressure control.

4. Stretching: Think of the muscle as an elastic band. It will most likely stretch further and more smoothly when it is warm rather than if it was cold. The same principle applies for a muscle. To stretch tight neck muscles, look straight ahead and bend your neck so that one ear is leaning towards the shoulder on the same side. You may add the weight of your hand and hold for 2 minutes or 30 seconds repeated 4 times. Do the same for the opposite side. This may seem like a long time but it is necessary for muscle memory. Less than 30 seconds is pointless. Another stretch for the hip/buttock and low back area is to sit straightly on a 90 degree angled chair and to cross the right ankle over the left knee or thigh. Place the right hand on the right bent knee and lean forward gradually applying pressure on the knee to increase the stretch. Feel a painless stretch and hold for 2 minutes or 30 seconds repeating 4 times. Do the same for the opposite leg.

Being your own registered massage therapist is more than just giving yourself a massage; it is also about awareness and listening to your body.

YourTherapeuticTouch.com is all about self massage tips, techniques, books, and tools for all to enjoy. To learn more about how you can self treat specific or general health conditions please visit http://yourtherapeutictouch.com. This site was created by Camille Devost a Registered Massage Therapist, Orthotherapist, and author