Cellulite is a build-up of fat, body fluids and toxic residues trapped in the tissues. In order to release these trapped substances, the vessels that carry lymph and other cleansing fluids must be unclogged so that the waste materials can be flushed out. Massage helps dissolve cellulite, increasing circulation and releasing the trapped fluids and toxins.
A daily cellulite massage is easy to do and produces results consistently.
There are a few simple ways to incorporate self-massage into your life. You don't need lots of space or any special clothes. You just need a strong desire to get rid of your cellulite. You can massage any time of the day but it's best to wait at least two hours after eating. The most convenient time for most women is after the bath or shower—and preferably one that includes a brisk body rub with a loofah. A bath is relaxing and massage benefits you most when you are relaxed. You are better off skipping the massage if you are tense or in a rush. When you are tense, or hurried, you constrict the channels through which the released wastes and residues from the massage are flushed out.
There are five massage movements used to help break down cellulite: stroking, kneading, knuckling, S-formation and wringing. Each one performs a different function. Light stroking prepares the skin for the massage movements that will follow. Wringing, knuckling and S-formation, all forms of kneading, break down and dissolve the cellulite nodes. It is the deep stroking, used at the end of each session, which helps send the wastes loosened by kneading on their way through the system and out of the body.
If the deep stroking is omitted or neglected, the value of the entire massage is lost.Light stroking is a long, fluid motion that readies the area for the rest of the massage. To carry out, place your hands flat and gently curve your fingers to conform to the shape of the area being massaged. With a sliding movement, stroke the area, always going upward toward the heart when doing legs and hips and clockwise when doing the tummy.
Kneading is grasping a chunk of flesh, lifting it up and away from the underlying structure, and squeezing it. You can do this with your fingers or with your whole hand.
Knuckling is a crushing movement done in a circular direction with fingers curled so that the knuckles press the skin. If your cellulite is the firm or solid variety, this step should follow light stroking as you will not be able to knead solid cellulite. Knuckling is excellent for hips, upper thighs and tummy.
S-Formation uses the thumb and fingers of both hands to lift up a portion of flesh. The hands go back and forth in opposite directions to form an "S" shape fold. This is deep massage and you will feel some action. Work slowly and steadily for best results. Lift and twist on tummy, hips, thighs, and around the knee, inside and out.
Wringing is basically the S-formation done without picking up the flesh. This is another deep massage technique. Rest both hands around the area and twist back and forward. This should remind you of wringing clothes. This offers an alternative to the S-formation for those with solid cellulite. Wringing should be done in any position where your leg muscles are completely relaxed.
Deep stroking ends every massage. It is a heavy stroking movement, at full pressure, going in the direction of the heart. This increases blood and lymph circulation, relieves congestion and speeds removal of waste matter from the tissues. As in light stroking, use the whole hand, placed flat, fingers curved. With a sliding movement, exert pressure while you stroke toward the heart, up on legs and hips, clockwise on tummy. This drains the waste products released by the other massage manipulations. Many people apply body lotion as part of deep stroking, as it helps you to perform this action in one long, smooth motion.
Make sure to follow the steps of the cellulite massage in order to achieve full results. If you're wondering how to get rid of cellulite fast, you may also want to try some cellulite reducing exercises.