This might seem a silly question, but,
- Thread starter David Alan Abramczyk
- Start date
Here's the little knowledge I can pass along. Use circular motions if using the thumbs, a kneading motion for using the fists, and there's not much motion to be used for other body parts. Stress areas tend to be between the spine and shoulderblades. To get rid of knots, use alternating clockwise and counterclockwise motions.
Some people react better to linear motions with the thumbs, especially when trying to get rid of knots.
Oh, and don't try standing on them if you are too heavy or lack something to grab on to for balance. One small shift can knock you down.
That's about all the unprofessional advice I can give.
Some people react better to linear motions with the thumbs, especially when trying to get rid of knots.
Oh, and don't try standing on them if you are too heavy or lack something to grab on to for balance. One small shift can knock you down.
That's about all the unprofessional advice I can give.
Lotion can help. It can help a lot, actually, not just for the person getting the massage; it can soothe the person giving it as well. The scent can also play a factor in helping someone become more relaxed. Use only a small amount at a time, and work more in as you spread out to the rest of the body.
Effective, but doesn't really rank high on the ero-meter...You're all forgetting one very, VERY important detail...
NEVER try to give a massage of any kind if your hands are cold!
Having naturally warm hands can help a lot in giving massages.
The same thing applies to any oils or other aid you may be using. The shock of a cold object touching the bare skin causes muscles to tense, and that's bad.
My Personal Experience follows:
If you know how to safely pop someone's neck joints and/or stretch their back so that the vertebrae pop in sequence, that can be more soothing than anything, provided the muscles and ligaments were properly "warmed up" first.
Shoulder and neck massages are usually best given when the receiver is sitting upright, with their hands in their lap.
Lower-back massages should be done with the receiver laying on their stomach, with their head laying on their own crossed arms.
Mid-back and direct spinal massage is best done with the receiver laying on their stomach, head turned to one side, with their arms flat at their sides.
The spot directly between the shoulderblades is one of the more difficult "trouble zones" since it can only really be massaged by direct up-and-down motions close to the spine. Also, popping these vertebrae can only really done by applying sudden and forceful pressure directly to them, with a rolling motion of the heel of the hand - think of CPR chest compression technique, only used on the spine.
The neck is usually very delicate. Begin with light pressure, then work your way up to a deep-muscle massage. DO NOT try to pop the neck vertebrae with any sudden motions unless you're a trained chiropractor. Bad Things can happen.
Have the receiver roll their head around a few times before you begin, so that the muscles are loose and pliable, thus less likely to hurt from an error in how much pressure to apply at any given time. Repeat this every so often, and once afterward.
Rolling motions using the thumb work best aroud the deltoid muscles. A somewhat more linear, up-and-down wave is better near the neck vertebrae. Use the heel of the hand for the shoulders and back, but only if you're in position to get your upper-body strenght and weight into it.
It's usually best to avoid the ribs in general, as they are sensitive to pressure, and many people are ticklish there.
Percussing ("chopping" or "hitting") motions are hard to pull off correctly. If done wrong, they can cause the recipient to tense up more than before. Many people don't respond well to this method, so it's not recommended without expertise backing it.
Pay close attention to tactile sensations when giving a massage. Try to identify which spots have knotted or tight muscles, and work on those (and their immediate surroundings) more than other places. Howver, don't work on a single area for too long, or the area may become painfully tender (or worse, it may bruise. You know you screwed up if they bruise!). If you can't completely loosen up an area quickly, move on for awhile, and work your way back to it.
For ambience, put on some smooth jazz, light classical, or something suitably romantic. If you're adding in aromas to the session, make sure it's all subtle scents; sharp scents like potpourri won't cut it unless they're severely diluted. Cinnamon is actually a very good scent for massage if it's diluted; try mixing it with jasmine if the idea is to get the other person "in the mood".
One of the most important aspects, though, is to keep communicating with the recipient. Keep a normal, but relaxing, conversation going (so that the session doesn't feel 'clinical'); every once in awhile, ask for (and pay attention to) cues about which areas to focus on, and how much pressure to use.
NEVER try to give a massage of any kind if your hands are cold!
Having naturally warm hands can help a lot in giving massages.
The same thing applies to any oils or other aid you may be using. The shock of a cold object touching the bare skin causes muscles to tense, and that's bad.
My Personal Experience follows:
If you know how to safely pop someone's neck joints and/or stretch their back so that the vertebrae pop in sequence, that can be more soothing than anything, provided the muscles and ligaments were properly "warmed up" first.
Shoulder and neck massages are usually best given when the receiver is sitting upright, with their hands in their lap.
Lower-back massages should be done with the receiver laying on their stomach, with their head laying on their own crossed arms.
Mid-back and direct spinal massage is best done with the receiver laying on their stomach, head turned to one side, with their arms flat at their sides.
The spot directly between the shoulderblades is one of the more difficult "trouble zones" since it can only really be massaged by direct up-and-down motions close to the spine. Also, popping these vertebrae can only really done by applying sudden and forceful pressure directly to them, with a rolling motion of the heel of the hand - think of CPR chest compression technique, only used on the spine.
The neck is usually very delicate. Begin with light pressure, then work your way up to a deep-muscle massage. DO NOT try to pop the neck vertebrae with any sudden motions unless you're a trained chiropractor. Bad Things can happen.
Have the receiver roll their head around a few times before you begin, so that the muscles are loose and pliable, thus less likely to hurt from an error in how much pressure to apply at any given time. Repeat this every so often, and once afterward.
Rolling motions using the thumb work best aroud the deltoid muscles. A somewhat more linear, up-and-down wave is better near the neck vertebrae. Use the heel of the hand for the shoulders and back, but only if you're in position to get your upper-body strenght and weight into it.
It's usually best to avoid the ribs in general, as they are sensitive to pressure, and many people are ticklish there.
Percussing ("chopping" or "hitting") motions are hard to pull off correctly. If done wrong, they can cause the recipient to tense up more than before. Many people don't respond well to this method, so it's not recommended without expertise backing it.
Pay close attention to tactile sensations when giving a massage. Try to identify which spots have knotted or tight muscles, and work on those (and their immediate surroundings) more than other places. Howver, don't work on a single area for too long, or the area may become painfully tender (or worse, it may bruise. You know you screwed up if they bruise!). If you can't completely loosen up an area quickly, move on for awhile, and work your way back to it.
For ambience, put on some smooth jazz, light classical, or something suitably romantic. If you're adding in aromas to the session, make sure it's all subtle scents; sharp scents like potpourri won't cut it unless they're severely diluted. Cinnamon is actually a very good scent for massage if it's diluted; try mixing it with jasmine if the idea is to get the other person "in the mood".
One of the most important aspects, though, is to keep communicating with the recipient. Keep a normal, but relaxing, conversation going (so that the session doesn't feel 'clinical'); every once in awhile, ask for (and pay attention to) cues about which areas to focus on, and how much pressure to use.