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How To Massage



A good hand massage is not only relaxing and rejuvenating for the tired hand muscles but also helps in increasing the flow of blood to these muscles. Although it is easy to give yourself a relaxing hand massage, most people do not know how to massage the hands in the right way. A self hand massage can be given by using the fingers on one hand to press down on the palm of the other hand. Clockwise massaging strokes should be made with the fingers, applying medium pressure on the palm and the surrounding area. The tip of the thumb can be used to press down on the base of the other thumb to relax the muscles in that area.

Another one of the self hand massage techniques involves using your knuckles to massage the palm of the other hand. Pulling each finger and thumb from the fingertips helps in relaxing the finger and thumb muscles. The last step in this hand massage technique would be to gently press and squeeze the palm of your hand using the other hand. Following these simple hand massage instructions can help you give yourself a soothing and relaxing hand massage. 

Similarly the arms are constantly moving in day to day life and also need to be massaged every now and then to reduce tension in the arms and shoulders. There are also effective tips on how to massage the arms, biceps and shoulders. It is best to take an arm, bicep and shoulder massage while lying down on your back. Arm and bicep massages are given using oil and making vertical strokes up and down each arm. The arms are also lifted and lowered one at a time to flex and relax the overworked muscles. Arm massages are always done beginning from the shoulders right down to the fingertips. Hence this helps in easing some tension in the shoulder area as well since the muscles are all interconnected. Shoulder massages are particularly important for people who work at a desk most of the time. Using the palms, sweeping and stroking movements are made across the shoulder region to eliminate muscle tension. The tops of the shoulders can be plucked using the thumb and index fingers. Circular movements using the thumbs on either side of the shoulders can also be a very relaxing massage technique. However such massages should not be performed on people who have neck or shoulder injuries.       

The back is one of the most important parts of the body and also suffers maximum physical stress because of our hectic lifestyles. Back pain and back injuries are very common these days and knowing how to massage a back effectively can help prevent these occurrences. It is however difficult to learn how to massage the back yourself. Trained massage therapists know exactly how to massage back muscles in order to release stress and tension. Back massages are always performed with the person lying on his/her stomach. These massages always start with the upper back and move down slowly along the spine towards the lower back. However, direct pressure should never be applied on the spine and instead the muscles on either side of the spine should be focused on. Many a times during a massage knots may be found in the back and knowing how to massage a knot out of your back is extremely important. There are different ways on how to massage back knots and one technique is by holding or pressing over them. These knots can also be released by using the thumbs to make circular rotations over the knots. Using more pressure can help release these knots faster but may also be a painful experience. Other than the back it is also important to know how to massage a knee, calf and foot. These body parts bear the entire weight of the body and need to be relaxed through regular massages. Knee pain is generally a result of wear and tear in the tissues and muscles surrounding the knees. Using a massage to manipulate these muscles and tissues can help relieve knee pain. Similarly massaging the calves and feet can help ease muscle tightness and relax the entire leg. A leg massage starts from the knees and moves downwards towards the toes and works on all muscle groups in the legs. This type of massage is very beneficial to those whose jobs involve standing for long hours and even for athletes. These days many women also want to learn how to massage breasts to increase breast size and firmness. A good breast massage helps to tone up breast tissues and gives them a firmer and natural look. Learning how to massage yourself is definitely a cheaper option and also teaches you to eliminate pain from different parts of your body.          

Hand Massage Techniques

Hand massage techniques are the easiest massage techniques to administer. Hands and arms are the most overworked parts of the body. It is very important to get them massaged first in order to achieve complete relaxation and alleviate pain. It is believed that if proper massage is given to the hands, your entire body will be completely relaxed and free from stress.

Various Hand Massage Techniques:

  1. After a stressful day at work, first thing to do is take a soothing bath. A bath is known to relax the muscles of the body and provide complete serenity. It is highly recommended to receive a massage from a family member or a friend. This way you will enjoy and benefit greatly from a massage. This will provide more comfort and will help you achieve sound sleep. There are various hand massage techniques you can perform on yourself which are considered to be extremely beneficial.
  2. Herbal and natural oils are an important aspect of any kind of massage. The different types of herbal oils are olive oil, avocado oil and many more. Take two to three drops of oil and massage it on both the hands. Use the thumb of one hand and apply pressure on the palm of another hand in a circular motion. Also apply pressure on the back of the palm. After 5 to 10 minutes, continue the same treatment on the wrists and fingers.
  3. Pulling the fingers is a very common hand massage techniques. It is also recommended to pull the fingers every few hours, to relax the muscles. Make sure you pull the fingers very gently or else it might cause pain.
  4. Flex your forearm muscles every few minutes. Flexing will cause the muscles to expand and then contract hence providing complete relaxation.
  5. Another hand massage technique is to soak your hands in lukewarm water for 10 to 15 minutes. You can also add two spoons of salt in the water. The lukewarm water will soothe the hand and arm muscles to a great extent.
  6. Applying a dab of herbal balm all over your hands is also a very effective hand massage technique.

In order to receive an effective and soothing hand massage, it is highly recommended to visit a day spa. In day spas, you will find trained professionals who guarantee a perfect hand massage. It is highly advisable to conduct a hand massage on a daily basis in order to be free from stress and acquire complete relaxation. These are some effective hand massage techniques.

Submitted on June 29, 2011
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